Kerry Vale Vineyard wins overall award at Welsh wine competition

Shropshire-Powys border based Kerry Vale Vineyard collected the overall award for the best wine at the Welsh Vineyards Association’s (WVA) annual wine competition.

The vineyard’s Shropshire Lady/Solaris 2014 was named Wine of the Competition and received the 'The Thomas Davies Memorial Trophy'. The vineyard also won the Halfpenny Green Salver and achieved a bronze award for its Lightly Oaked Red wine called ‘Red Kite’, named after the kites that fly over the vineyard.

Kerry Vale Vineyard, which is located between Montgomery and Churchstoke, is celebrating 17 awards and trophies since this summer. Owner June Ferguson said: “Although we are not in Wales, we are only a stone’s throw away from the border, which qualifies us to be a part of the association and the Welsh Wine trail.

“This has been a fantastic year for us and we are thrilled to have picked up all of these awards. We work really hard to maintain our vineyard to a very high standard so we are producing the best possible quality grapes, which is really paying off. Our customers are recognising the high standard of wine we are producing and demanding more and more!”

She described the award-winning best seller ‘Shropshire Lady’, which is available in the vineyard’s shop and local restaurants, as dry and light with a beautiful crisp acidity. “The cool climate gives a fresh and light style to our wines that sets them apart from their international counterparts, as more delicate grapes mean the wines retain a more subtle, fruity flavour which is often lost in rival countries offerings.”

Held at Llanerch Vineyard at Hensol in the Vale of Glamorgan, the competition saw 42 wines entered by nine vineyards ranging across Wales. Split into five classes, 10 bronze and five silver awards were made, with the best wine in each class also receiving a trophy.

The expert judging panel comprised Linda Johnson-Bell, wine critic, author and climate change analyst, Michael Harrison, international wine judge and Bibendum Fine Wine manager and David Cowderoy, wine maker and owner of Bevtec.

Welsh vineyards are producing a range of wines, from sparkling through to reds and have won awards in prestigious international competitions.

Kerry Vale’s award winning wine can be tasted at the shop and wine café or on a vineyard tour from next spring.  Hampers are now available for Christmas. Visit www.kerryvalevineyard.co.uk