After the launch of my novel, I needed to celebrate. Luckily, my adventures sent me to White Castle Vineyard where I found summer fruits in bottles. Hallelujah, I found the land of wine on my doorstep and heaven in a glass. And, the sun shone as soon as Robb Merchant, proprietor of White Castle Vineyard, opened the wine.
Once I tasted the wine, I forget about books and handbags. The Pinot Noir chorused cherries, berries and a soft, complex vanilla finish. Ripe strawberries leapt from the bottle of rosé, while the Siegerrebe wine dripped with the juices of peaches and nectarines. Divine wine is produced in White Castle Vineyard, South Wales, and French winemakers are talking about it. Robb told the story of his wine from grape to glass: a labour of love inspired by his wife’s dream to own a vineyard.
Robb and Nicola Merchant bought the farm in 1993. Vines were planted on 1st May 2009 and produced the yield of grapes in 2011. The couple nurtured the vines, while Robb worked for the Post Office. Nowadays, Robb works full-time in the vineyard while Nicola still works part-time as a District Nurse. I wonder if she can recommend a course of wine to her patients ?
Robb transformed the barn into a retail shop, for Welsh Wine Week, in 2012, and their wine story commenced. Robb’s enthusiasm is an inspiration . He said, ‘A vineyard is a way of life. It’s not physically hard work but is repetitive. But it’s not work because we enjoy it. We love our life. Agriculture in in my blood.’
Robb is dedicated to raising the profile of Welsh wine. In 2014, Robb and Nicola were invited to provide seventy bottles of wine for NATO Summit, in Wales. This year, the Wines of Great Britain Trade and Press Tasting event welcomed White Castle Vineyard and other Welsh wine producers for the first time. The Welsh Government supported the wine producers from Wales.
Robb’s current innovation involves collaboration with a vineyard in North Wales to grow Cabernet Franc and Sauvingnon Blanc. They will experiment to see how the slate and gravel soil of North Wales and Clay, Sand and loam impacts on the flavours of the grape varieties. Research into French winemaking methods will be applied to the process. I am impressed with Robb’s dedication to his art: an art he has learned since he planted the vines in 2009. Robb predicts ‘a defining year for Welsh viticulture in 2018’, as he believes the Welsh wine brand will be secured. Dedicated to working with other Welsh vineyards to secure the brand, he knows they can’t go it alone.
Robb is a charismatic and passionate ambassador for all Welsh produce. During the summer, White Castle Vineyard offers a plate of Welsh cheeses paired with is wine. Mouldy Mable, Heb Enw and Teifi cheese are presented on the platter with local chutneys. The vineyard is located between the market towns of Abergavenny and Monmouth. You will receive a warm welcome from Rob and Nicola.
Next time you visit the green, green grass of Wales, look for the vineyards nestled in the landscape. Celebrate Wales with a wonderful glass of wine, and if you listen carefully you may hear the wine notes singing to you like one of the glorious Welsh choirs. My next stop will be Parva Vineyard located in Tintern. However, I couldn’t leave without finding a book and wine for my handbag.
Contact the vineyard
Email : info@whitecastlevineyard.com
Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/WhiteCastleVineyard/
Twitter: @Welshwines
Website: http://www.whitecastlevineyard.com/
Please see all my adventures at Handbag Adventures and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.
Aaagh, I wish I’d seen this before. My latest book involves a vineyard so I could have saved hours of research and just picked Robb’s brains. 😀 Wishing them every success.
Such a shame! Best of luck with your novel.
Books and wine- my favorite topics! Thanks
I wish I could pour you a glass and hand it to you right now. Cheers, Jena!
So wonderful that people pursue their dreams. Creativity comes in many forms. I love the way you wrote this article. I could savour the wine and picture the setting of the green, green grass of your adopted home. You brightened up a damp Monday morning; my car dashboard informed me it was 4 degrees and to beware of ice on the road. I hope Robb’s vines are alright today.
Delighted to brighten up your day and I wish you could have tasted the wine with us. Robb and his wife are wonderful hosts and the vineyard is nestled in beautiful scenery. Fingers crossed the vines are OK. I will tweet your good wishes to the vineyard.