Wayford Vineyard

Farmer John Wyatt, Director Peter Woodward, Tony Cooper (all founders of the group and local Rotarians)

Being a both a Rotarian and a wine lover can provide some interesting opportunities; hardly surprising given the average Rotarian’s love of a tipple or two.

Last year, as President of the Rotary Club of Ilminster, I often visited other clubs in order to support their various fund raising activities and social events.

One such event was held at the home of fellow Rotarian, Peter Woodward, then President of the Crewkerne Club, hence my introduction to Wayford Vineyard.

Although there are several up and coming wine producers in the south west I was delighted to discover that we had one almost literally on the doorstep, just a stone’s throw from Crewkerne of all places.

The idea for the venture came about in 2007 when local farmer, John Wyatt, urged on by his friend, Peter Woodward, agreed to turn a suitable field into a vineyard.

After a talk at the Crewkerne Rotary Club by a local vineyard owner plans were set into motion to form a consortium of 10 couples to fund the project and provide the necessary labour for the manual tasks that lay ahead.

Rotarians made up half of the group, the remainder being close neighbours and friends, all with varied professions and skills; a big adventure was about to begin and the dream of

the future production of a fine quality sparkling wine was on the way to being realised, although as yet some way off.

The field chosen was south facing and sloping, to take advantage of what little sun we get in this country, overlooking the Axe Valley and the Roman Hill fort of Pilsden Pen, just across the border into Dorset.

Several of the members ‘plotted’ the field which was 1.7 hectares in size and kidney shaped. There were to be 101 rows of varying lengths.

Planting began on 24th April 2007 and one week later with the help of willing relatives, and a dog or two, all 3,235 vines of the notoriously difficult Pinot Noir, a classic Champagne grape variety, had been planted by hand and watered, and rabbit guards and support canes put in place.

It was then a question of waiting for the first shoots to emerge, and time to enjoy some much needed rest, letting nature take its course.

After seeking advice from other vineyards, tasks were divided up amongst the members, who each took on a ‘specialist’ responsibility. Each couple also became responsible for the ground maintenance and tending of the vines for their own ‘plots’, which were rotated on a yearly basis.

Above all the aim was for members to have a mutual (albeit expensive) hobby, to keep fit and have fun. In hindsight, no-one had quite realised just how much hard work it would turn out to be.

Finally, in 2014, the fruits of their labour materialised and the ripe Pinot Noir grapes were harvested by hand over three days in mid October.

With an award winning vintner on board to make the wine for the vineyard it was then a matter of waiting for it to mature for a minimum of two years.

A bronze medal was awarded to the vineyard in a recent South West Vintners Association competition; the first success for such a new marque.

Although made by the traditional method used for making Champagne, where the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, protected status prevents the term being used for wines produced outside this designated area of France.

The good news for those of us who are quick off the mark is that this ‘Quality Sparkling Wine’ will shortly be released for sale, but with only 100 cases produced I predict that it will fly off the shelves, if it ever gets that far!

Tasting notes for this 2014 Sparkling Brut (11.5% abv), reveal that it is pale gold in colour, with a typical biscuit finish on the nose, and ripe red apples and strawberries on the palate.

Next year double the quantity of wine will be available to sell as the vines are continuing to mature, year by year, and produce more grapes.

Wayford Vineyard will be selling the wine, which comes in at £23 a bottle, at Crewkerne Farmers Market on 17^thDecember or by appointment with Barbara Woodward Tel. 01460 74321 or barbaramwoodward@hotmail.co.uk