GOOD FOOD GUY
GRAPE AMBITIONS
Taken from this month’s Cotswold Life magazine
COULD THE STROUD VALLEYS BE ENGLAND’S NEXT BIG WINE REGION - WINE NOT?
If you take the A46 from Cheltenham to Nailsworth, you might not realise that you are driving along Stroud’s very own wine route. For, just beyond Stroud, planted up the hillsides on both sides of the road in Woodchester and Amberley, as well as a site in Stonehouse, are 56 acres of wine-producing vineyards. This is Woodchester Valley Vineyard and, while it’s a hidden gem of a place, it’s making a lot of noise in the English wine world.
The Stroud Valleys might not seem the most obvious place to plant a vineyard, but that’s exactly what Fiona Shiner did back in 2007.
What started out as an experimental one acre grew into five acres, which became 20 acres, then 35 and so on, until in 2016, the team decided to open a winery, where under the guidance of winemaker Jeremy Mount, they could produce their increasingly popular wines on site.
The fact that the wines turned out to be so good comes as no surprise when you learn that Fiona is far from the first vigneron in the area – there are records of vineyards in the Cotswolds dating back to the Domesday Book and even reference to Roman settlements that suggest grapes were grown and wine was enjoyed in the Stroud Valleys for centuries.
That’s because the terrain is ideal for growing grapes, with its steep sides and stony ‘Cotswold Brash’ soils providing good drainage. The sheltered hillsides also provide warmth and protection, although sometimes, late frosts may require the use of ‘bougies’, frost candles that are lit in the early hours of exceptionally cold mornings during springtime to prevent frost damage to the grapes.
Fiona describes Woodchester Valley as a large boutique vineyard – she makes no claims to be the biggest but the focus here is entirely on quality. On top of awards for their English sparkling wines, cool climate whites, reds and rosés, they are one of the only vineyards in the UK to produce a Sauvignon Blanc, which earned a Gold award when blind-tasted against hundreds of Sauvignon Blancs from around the world.
Fiona’s main focus is on creating quality still and sparkling wines but the team is also making small volumes of still red wines and also has plans to produce a still Chardonnay. That’s on top of offering tasting events that take place throughout the year.
In the five short years since the winery was built, the wines have made a real splash on the English wine scene, which is a phenomenal achievement in the traditionally rather slow-paced wine world. Whether the Stroud Valleys becomes the UK’s answer to New Zealand’s Marlborough or France’s Burgundy regions remains to be seen!
RAISE A GLASS
Celebrate English Wine Week from 18-26 June with one of Woodchester Valley Vineyard’s top wines
COTSWOLD CLASSIC
This easy-drinking party wine is Woodchester Valley Vineyard’s most popular fizz. It’s a unique English sparkling that will appeal to champagne and prosecco drinkers alike. With ageing on the lees it starts to bring in those pastry brioche aromas, reminiscent of champagne.
CULVER HILL
This silver award-winning dry white wine is a real crowd-pleaser and a good choice if you like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. With a small portion aged in the barrel, it has great texture and balance, with a good minerality and top notes of gooseberry, elderflower and crisp apple.
ROSÉ BRUT
This is a charmingly well-balanced sparkling rosé with delicate bubbles and a beautiful pale pink colour. Made in the champagne method with a minimum of 15 months ageing on the lees, it fizzes with subtle raspberry and toasted aromas.
RESERVE CUVÉE
Aged for over two years, this non-vintage sparkling wine is alive with notes of buttery biscuits, honeysuckle and citrus fruits. Its creamy texture, toasty aroma and delicate bubbles are reminiscent of a good champagne – as are the combination of grape varieties used in this blend.