AN AWARD-WINNING Herefordshire vineyard run by one of the chairmen of Wyevale Nurseries is promoting awareness of regional wine producers and tourism through a series of free tours and tastings as part of English Wine Week next month (Saturday, June 17 to Sunday, June 25, 2023).
Foxbury Fields Vineyard in Bromsberrow is hosting the events on Saturday, June 17th, Sunday June 18th and Wednesday, June 21st.
Heather Williamson, who runs Foxbury Fields Vineyard with her partner Richard Baker, said: “Last year, we hosted three free tours and tastings during English Wine Week, and it was a great success, so we’ve decided to do it all again for 2023 and we hope lots of people sign up and come along.
“It’s wonderful to be able to show people around and give them an insight into what we do here and to showcase our vines and wines. English wines are really on the up now and it’s great to give people behind the scenes tours and to educated them on the wonderful wines made right here in Herefordshire.
“English Wine Week also coincides with Father’s Day, the Summer Solstice, and Midsummer Day, which fall on June 18, 21 and 24 respectively, making it a fabulous way for wine enthusiasts to celebrate. It’s also a great idea as a pre-Father’s Day gift experience or you could get a bottle or two after your tour as a present for your Dad, or to share with family and friends as you toast the summer.
They will be offering their first 2023 ‘taste of Herefordshire’ tour onsite on Saturday, June 17 from 4pm to 5.30pm. They will then host another event on Sunday, June 18 from 4pm to 5.30pm, followed by Wednesday, June 21 from 1.30pm to 3pm.
“Every event takes place at their vineyards, nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills. At the end of each tour, guests can try the classic vintage English Bacchus and the wonderfully perfumed Ortega wines.
“The vineyard is a five-to-10-minute walk from the farm, so if anyone has any walking difficulties, but would like to come along, please get in touch before booking and they can discuss accommodating your needs.”
This year English Wine Week runs from June 17 to June 25. Organised by Wines of Great Britain, the national association for English and Welsh Wines, it works to promote and advocate the often-overlooked wines from across the country.
Heather continues: “Our Bacchus wine is a pale lime-green aromatic dry white wine. It offers complex aromas of elderflower, layered with kiwi, grass and a herbal overlay. Well balanced with length on the palate, this is a classic English Bacchus at 11.5% VOL.
“The Ortega wine they produce is a delightfully perfumed medium dry white wine with refreshing lemon and orange aromas. Crisp and deliciously fruity, it is wonderful on its own, as an aperitif or as an ideal accompaniment to fish dishes. Vintages are available at 11.5% VOL.”
Ortega grapes mature early and aren’t susceptible to frosty conditions, making them ideal for wine production in the UK.
Foxbury Fields, which is a South West Vineyards Association Silver medal winner, is now able to sell direct to consumers online via its website www.foxburyfields.co.uk. Purchasers can collect orders from the vineyard only by arrangement.
Its wines are also available for collection, by arrangement only, from Wyevale Nurseries in Herefordshire, which is one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries. Wyevale Nurseries is currently run by Heather and her brother Simeon, who are joint Chairmen. They are the third generation of Williamsons to be involved with the family-run business.
Foxbury Fields will holding a tour and tasting on Saturday, June 17 from 4pm to 5.30pm, Sunday June 18 from 4pm to 5.30pm and Wednesday, June 21 from 1.30pm to 3pm.
Each tour is free, but booking is required to guarantee a place, and lasts approximately 90 minutes to two hours. Tickets should be booked in advance via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3pExOYZ.
For further details about Foxbury Fields Vineyard, please call 07974793367 or visit www.foxburyfields.co.uk.