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In a true David vs. Goliath moment, a small vineyard in Monmouthshire took on the world’s most established wine regions, to win a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
White Castle Vineyard’s Pinot Noir Reserve 2018, a red wine priced at £ 25.50 a bottle, is the first Welsh vintage to receive a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
It was also the first year that White Castle Vineyard has competed in the internationally renowned awards, which see judges tasting blind to ensure that each is evaluated solely on its quality, regardless of its origin.
In addition to praising the quality and characteristics of their Pinot Noir, the Decanter jury praised the owners of White Castle for their ambition and success in creating a red wine, which has generally been considered impossible with the British climate.
Founded in 2008 by husband and wife Robb and Nicola Merchant, White Castle began when the couple bought a field next to their house and began planting 4,000 vines. What started out as a dream has grown into a well-respected brand producing 10,000 bottles a year.
Nicola Merchant, of White Castle Vineyard, said: “White Castle Vineyard was born out of a desire that Robb and I shared to live in this beautiful part of the world. We wanted to live in the countryside, and in the first few days after purchasing our small property, walking around the land, I wondered if we could ever quit our jobs and work with this land?
“When the opportunity arose to purchase a south-facing plot next to our house, the idyllic dream of planting vines seemed like an opportunity to be seized. The rest is history, but I could never imagine that we would create something that would be deemed the best in the world.
“The support we have received since the announcement has been incredible. The last few days have been a roller coaster ride, in the best way imaginable. We didn’t really have time to sit down and celebrate, but when we do, I think we’ll need a bottle of pinot.
Less than a day and a half after their victory, White Castle Vineyard has sold over 800 bottles from their 2018 reserve, encouraging them to restrict sales to one bottle per customer to ensure that as many people as possible can try the vintage. .
Robb Merchant added, “We have never had the pleasure of winning a gold medal at Decanter, a competition that receives over 8,000 entries from all over the world. We knew we had a quality vintage that had already won against stiff competition, but Decanter is the pinnacle.
“Origin, quality and integrity have been our goals since before the first vine was planted. We never wanted to mass sell to supermarkets, but over the years we have grown to meet the demand of loyal customers. Since the victory, we have been inundated with messages congratulating us and asking us how they can be involved in our future. It’s an amazing experience and it all started with Nicola’s dream.
While White Castle’s latest and greatest hits are undoubtedly driven by couples’ passion and commitment to quality, they are not alone in Wales. The Decanter World Wine Awards also honored Gwinllan Conwy of North Wales with a Bronze Prize for their Solaris 2019.
These achievements are seen as an example of the achievements of a growing number of independent Welsh wine producers. With around 30 wineries operating across the country to produce a range of vintages and styles, the Welsh wine industry is increasingly gaining global interest.
In May, the International Wine Challenge 2021 rewarded White Castle Vineyard for its reserve of Pinot Noir Precoce. They were joined by Montgomery Vineyard from Powys, who won awards for their Sparkling Seyval Blanc, Sparkling Rosé and Solaris 2020; and Gwinllan Conwy, who also received an award for their Solaris 2019 and Pefriog 2019.
Despite the difficulties faced by all companies during the pandemic, producers are not deterred by their common goal of securing a seat at the table alongside major regions of the global industry.
In June, this collective effort culminated in the return of Welsh Wine Week, which saw producers open their vineyards and wineries to the public, through a series of events designed to allow consumers to experience the quality wines produced at their home. door.
Welsh Wine Week is organized by the Welsh Drinks Cluster and funded by the Welsh government, which works in partnership with Welsh drink producers to promote the industry and its production of world-class products.
Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural and North Wales Affairs, and Trefnydd said: “Kudos to White Castle Vineyard for their fantastic success and for showing the world how Wales can produce unbeatable vintages. It’s a great achievement and they deserve huge praise for their commitment and dedication to achieving a gold medal.
“I am very proud of our producers who continue to produce sustainable quality products and build Wales’ global profile. I look forward to celebrating the success of other Welsh businesses in the future. “
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