White Castle Vineyard starts harvest 2024 and launches new winery
14th October 2024
A Welsh wine producer, White Castle Vineyard, has announced the successful start of harvest 2024 and launch of its new state-of-the-art winery.
The Abergavenny-based vineyard started this year’s harvest on 10th October, marking a new chapter in its journey.
For the first time, White Castle Vineyard has harvested and processed its grapes onsite in its newly established winery using state-of-the-art equipment, paving the way for a future of increased production and enhanced wine quality.
The owners said that this exciting milestone represents the culmination of years of planning and investment in cutting-edge winemaking technology, aimed at improving both the quality and quantity of White Castle’s award-winning wines.
New era in winemaking
Robb Merchant, co-owner of White Castle Vineyard, added: “We’ve been dreaming of this moment for years, and now it’s finally here.
“Having the ability to process our grapes where they’re grown, with some of the best equipment in the industry, gives us complete control over every aspect of the winemaking process. This is a huge leap forward for us, and one that will allow us to offer our customers even more premium, hand-crafted Welsh wines.”
The debut harvest brought together an enthusiastic team of 45 volunteers, including friends, family, and loyal customers who participated through the vineyard’s Adopt-a-Vine programme.
Together, they hand-harvested three grape varieties, Phoenix, Pinot Noir Précoce, and Rondo, all of which were processed the same day using the vineyard’s new de-stemmer and press.
Preparing for growth
Despite weather challenges, including the threat of frost and a lower-than-average yield, White Castle Vineyard remains optimistic.
Nicola Merchant, co-owner of the vineyard, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished.
“The launch of our winery opens up so many new possibilities for us. Over the coming years, we plan to expand our production and continue creating wines that reflect the passion and dedication we pour into every bottle.”
Currently, White Castle Vineyard has 13,500 vines planted, including the addition of Chardonnay, which promises exciting growth opportunities in the near future.
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