Welsh Wines
We are based in Abergavenny South Wales with easy access from :-
Abergavenny - Newport - Cardiff - Raglan - Crickhowell - Usk - Brecon Beacons - Ebbw Vale - Brynmawr - Monmouthshire - Gwent - Hereford - Monmouth - Merthyr Tydfil - Tredegar - Hay-on-Wye - Cwmbran - Penarth - Swansea - Bridgend - Caerphilly - Risca - Pontypridd - Chepstow - Gloucester - Wales
Bud Burst May 2013
We saw the first buds burst around the 9th may this year approx. 2 weeks later than last year I would say. Rondo leading the way as always with Pinot Noir a close second to burst its buds, Unfurling shortly followed.
WELSH WINE WEEK AT WHITE CASTLE VINEYARD
25th May – 2nd June 2013
Saturday 25th May 2013. The launch of our 2012 Red wines: Rondo & Pinot Noir.
Conducted vineyard tour and wine tasting @ 3pm Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday, an opportunity to walk and explore the vineyard and meet the passionate people behind the vineyard.
Following a conducted vineyard tour we shall return to the Cellar Door and have the opportunity to taste our 2012 vintage quality welsh Red wines: Rondo & Pinot Noir.
From the terrace we have spectacular views across the vineyard row after row of vines a grand sight as the growing season unfolds.
Tuesday – Friday we offer a conducted vineyard tour and wine tasting @ 5pm, by prior arrangement.
Welsh Wine Week 2012 was the platform to open the vineyard gate to one and all and the launch of our first vintage 2011 quality welsh wines. Here we are about to release our second vintage; where has the time gone we ask ourselves?
Wine Trail wales takes its first steps with a photograph launch for Welsh wine Week & Wine Trail Wales, with Minister for Agriculture Alun Davies at White Castle Vineyard, and yes the sun did manage to shine….
Welsh Wine Week Special Offer: Blas ar Fwyd are offering a half case of Welsh Wines delivered free anywhere in Wales until the end of June 2013. Diolch yn fawr.
Exciting times ahead for Welsh Wine……
Next we shall begin bud rubbing hoping Jack frost has well and truly said goodbye!!!
Spring has Sprung.
The vineyard is now moving into the growing season. The sap is rising and Woolly buds are a sure sign. Budburst and unfurling are on the horizon. We have had to wait a long time for spring but I have to admit being outdoors is so much nicer when the sun is on your back.
With winter pruning finished we can look ahead to a season of changes in the vineyard. From budburst to flowering to fruit set each stage tells me we have invested in a miracle that takes place every year; Harvest being our Goal.
Since pruning we have also lifted the mulch that surrounded each vine since planting in 2009. 8750 metres of mulch : 5.5 miles; many days of many hands make light work well and truly behind us.
Spring 2013
Nicola pruning with our new burner
As we prepare for spring and with winter pruning well underway we see the vineyard become uniform in its appearance. Row after row of pruned vines lie before us as the growing season begins.
The vine is not the tender difficult plant some would have us believe. It is tough, very hardy in winter and amazingly adaptable. The most important climatic factors as far as the vine is concerned are those of rainfall, sunshine hours and air temperature.
The vine is no more susceptible to frost damage than the apple, except the apple usually bears its blossom higher off the ground. The only time of year when the vine is vulnerable to frost is in the spring, at or after bud burst.
Having visited the winery on March 6th we were able to taste the fruits of our labour from harvest 2012 along with our sparkling Rose from 2011, we are pleased to announce that we will shortly be releasing 2 red wines and later in the year our 1st Sparkling Rose.
Winter Review. January 2013
The vine has been left to ripen its wood; and we are planning to begin our winter pruning early February 2013.
The growing season is about to begin.
Pruning is the heart of grape growing, and the process on which everything else depends.
The best time to prune is when the buds begin to look plump but before they swell rapidly towards bud break.
A vine grows primarily from buds on last years wood. Without pruning, it soon becomes a tangle of multiplying canes and buds.
A thought whilst pruning..
Love the grapevine, one must really care for them as well as take care of them…
When pruning..
“Handle the vine like a man; the wine like a woman,”
Chrismas News
Let the festivities begin.
On Saturday and Sunday 8th & 9th December we shall welcome new and returning visitors to the Cellar Door.
We have excellent gift ideas, a gift anyone would wish to receive.
An elegant present for any wine lover or perhaps a gift for a couple.
A sophisticated present or an opportunity to indulge yourself – your choice. Great for your wine rack or a lovely Gift medley.
Quality welsh wines for your Christmas Dining table, Mouth -watering whites & Pinot Noir Rose and a limited release, yes limited release of our relaxed Red from our first vintage 2011. Perfect for fireside lazing.
We have Black Mountain Gold fine Artisan chocolate which is made in the beautiful surroundings of the Black Mountains. Wine and chocolate the classic pair.
Also Blaenavon Cheddar Company, with an array of handmade welsh cheese, a must have is the Desert Christmas pudding which will grace any cheeseboard over the festive season.
Our terrific festive selection is sure to bring you plenty of festive cheer! And see you through the winter days in style.
Post Harvest 2012
With the fruits of our labour handpicked and pressed our 2012 harvest is complete.
The vineyard will naturally begin to lay dormant for the winter months.
Firstly a change in leaf colour enhances the vineyards splendour at this time of year.
Row after row what was once lush vine leaf now a tapestry of colour, true autumnal colours.
Then leaf fall a sure sign of seasons complete for yet another year and a vintage to remember.
Vineyard Tours and Wine Tasting shall resume Easter 2103.
Cellar Door open Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm for Wine purchases and Gifts.
Harvest 2012
We are looking forward to our second harvest and currently predict we will begin harvesting in 2-3 weeks time, mid october weather permitting. First to harvest will be the Rondo variety. Row after row of lush vine leaf boasting sun kissed grapes, basking in the autumn sunshine.
First Release Wines
Pinot Noir Rose
A light, elegant and refreshing Rose made from the Pinot Noir grape. Strawberry and summer fruit aromas, leaving a mouth-watering finish. Perfect for summer drinking.
Awarded Highly Commended at the Autumn South West Vineyard Association Competition 2012.
Phoenix
A dry delicate white wine made from Phoenix grapes. Floral aromas of elderflower and ripe citrus fruits on the palate.
Awarded Highly Commended at the Autumn South West Vineyard Association Competition 2012.
Rondo
The 2011 vintage is a limited release wine made from the Rondo grape. A medium bodied wine, with redberry fruit aromas and soft tannins.
First Vintage
An exciting time lies ahead for Robb & Nicola.
After our initial planting in 2009 we managed a small harvest in 2011, and we are planning to release our first vintage wines during Welsh and English Wine Week which takes place 4th /10th of June 2012. Visitors will be able to tour the vineyard and taste our first wines with spectacular views across the vineyard.
After 3 years of waiting White castle vineyard launched their first vintage wines, Saturday 2nd June was a day they won’t forget, after a hectic week, the gates were opened to allow visitors to walk the vineyard and taste their very first wines from the cellar Door and enjoy spectacular views across the vineyard. The launch of the wine coincided with welsh wine week and it was an exciting time for Robb and Nicola as the fruits of their labour were tasted by many.
First released wines are Pinot Noir [Rose], Rondo [Red] and Phoenix [White].
The vineyard is open Saturday And Sunday 10 am until 5 pm, with a conducted tour of the vineyard at 3 pm, which includes a tasting of our Phoenix white wine and Pinot Noir Rose wine.
Harvest 2011
With the help of family & friends and the excellent weather through September & October our harvest was completed, finishing with a hearty lunch and wine of course.
The vines have kept there part of the bargain and have delivered us a harvest of sweet fruit. We shall taste it and relish it fresh. Of all juices, grape is the sweetest of nature’s nectars.
