AN AWARD-WINNING Herefordshire vineyard is marking English Wine Week (Saturday, June 18 to Sunday, June 26, 2022) and boosting recognition for regional wine producers and tourism by hosting free tours and tastings.
Foxbury Fields Vineyard, which is based in Bromsberrow, will be welcoming visitors on Saturday, June 18, Monday June 20 and Wednesday, June 22 and showcasing its vines and small batch wines.
Heather Williamson, who set-up Foxbury Fields Vineyard in Bromsberrow with her partner Richard Baker, said: “Last year we hosted the first free tours and tastings since Covid restrictions eased and it was a huge success, so we have decided to do it again this year and we hope lots more people will feel more comfortable in going out and about and will sign up to come along.
“It’s so exciting when people come to visit us and find out more about what we do. English wines have gone from strength to strength over the past few years and it is great to educate people on this and open their eyes up to the wonderful wines made right on their doorsteps.
“We’ll be offering a taste of Herefordshire with our first tour on-site of the season on Saturday, June 18 from 2pm, Monday, June 20 from 11am and Wednesday, June 22 from 5pm at our vineyards, nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills. To finish, guests will have a chance to try our classic vintage English Bacchus and our delightfully perfumed Ortega wines.
“The vineyard is a five-to-10-minute walk from the farm, so if anyone who would like to come along has any walking difficulties, please get in touch with us before booking a ticket and we can discuss accommodating your needs.”
The event is free and will last approximately 90 minutes to two hours. Tickets should be booked in advance at https://bit.ly/3ky46PN.
Heather added: “If our first tour dates are popular and sell out, we will be adding more, so people should keep an eye on our socials for more date announcements.”
This year English Wine Week will run from June 18 to June 26. Organised by Wines of Great Britain, the national association for English and Welsh Wines, it works to promote and advocate the delicious, complex, and often-overlooked wines from across the country.
Heather continues: “The week also coincides with Father’s Day, The Summer Solstice, and Midsummer Day which fall on June 19, 21 and 24 respectively, making it a splendid way for wine enthusiasts to ring in the warmer months ahead with a triple celebration. It’s also a great idea to buy a bottle or two as a gift for your Dad or to share with family and friends.
“Our Bacchus wine is a pale lime-green aromatic dry white wine. It offers complex aromas of elderflower, layered with kiwi, grass and a herbal overlay. Well balanced with length on the palate, this is a classic English Bacchus at 11.5% VOL.
“The Ortega wine we produce is a delightfully perfumed medium dry white wine with refreshing lemon and orange aromas. Crisp and deliciously fruity, it is wonderful on its own, as an aperitif or as an ideal accompaniment to fish dishes. Vintages are available at a 11.5% VOL.”
The Bacchus grape grown at the vineyard was created in 1933 by viticulturalist Peter Morio by crossing Silvaner x Riesling with Muller-Thurgau varieties to create a grape that produces a fine white wine.
Originating in Germany, Bacchus has increasingly been grown in the United Kingdom. The climate being colder means the grapes tend to have increased levels of acidity compared to their German counterparts, giving a new flavour take on a classic German grape by keeping it from becoming too intense or sugary.
The Ortega grape is utilised for white wine. It was created in 1948 by Hans Breider at the Bayerischen Landesanstalt für Wein, Obst-und Gartenbau in Würzburg and was discharged with varietal security in 1981. It is a combination of Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe.
Ortega matures early and isn’t susceptible to frosty conditions, making it ideal for wine production in the UK. It is regularly utilised for sweet wines, which are considered to improve with cellaring. Ortega wines often have hints of Muscat and peach, along with a citrus aroma, which produces a crisp and fruity wine.
Foxbury Fields, which is a South West Vineyards Association Silver medal winner, is now able to sell direct to consumers online via its website www.foxburyfields.co.uk and purchasers can collect their orders from the vineyard by arrangement only.
Its wines are also available for collection, by arrangement only, from Wyevale Nurseries in Herefordshire, which is one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries and celebrates its 91st anniversary this year. Wyevale Nurseries is family-owned and is currently run by the third generation of Williamsons, Heather and Simeon, who are joint Chairmen of the company.
Foxbury Fields will holding a tour and tasting on Saturday, June 18 from 2pm, Monday, June 20 from 11am and Wednesday, June 22 from 5pm.
The event is free and will last approximately 90 minutes to two hours and booking is required to guarantee a place.
Tickets are available from https://bit.ly/3ky46PN.
For further details about Foxbury Fields Vineyard, please call 07974793367 or visit www.foxburyfields.co.uk. Alternatively, you can follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FoxburyFieldsVineyard.
