We had a wonderful summer with a really good fruit set so – like many other growers - were looking forward to a bumper harvest, and in this respect the vintage was not disappointing.
Taking its name from the ancient lands of the slopes above the village of Snitterfield, Welcombe Hills first produced wine in 2003 from grapes that enjoyed one of the finest English summers in memory.
Welcombe Hills vineyard was established in 2001. An initial area of half an acre was planted with Pinot Noir together with Dornfelder and Bacchus. Vines take three years to establish themselves so, apart from a small crop in 2002, the first harvest was taken to Three Choirs vineyard near Newent to be bottled in 2003. The vineyard was extended in May 2003 with a second planting of 1200 more vines, and again in 2006 where the third parcel has in part been trained on Geneva Double Curtain.
Welcombe Hills Vineyard Scoops More Awards
At the United Kingdom Vineyards Association competition in June 2010 the Bacchus 2009 won a Bronze Medal and our Rose 2009 was awarded Silver.
In this year’s Mercian Vineyard Association competition our Blanc de Noir 2006 and Pinot Noir 2009 both won Bronze medals and our Hollow Meadow 2009 won four trophies: Mercian Wine of the Year, Best Wine in competition of the 2009 vintage, Best Wine from the South Mercian Region and Best wine in Class (dry whites).
The vineyard owners, Chris and Jane Gallimore, are delighted with this success, and especially with the national judges' comments, suggesting that they are part of the coming-of-age of English wines, whose quality is becoming increasingly recognised by consumers. The awards also confirm the position of Welcombe Hills Vineyard as one of the most successful small vineyards in the U.K..
At the United Kingdom Vineyards Association competition in June 2010 the Bacchus 2009 won a Bronze Medal and our Rose 2009 was awarded Silver.
