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Herefordshire English winery looking for UK distributor

Published:  30 January, 2015

One of the oldest farming families in Herefordshire, which converted from cattle to vines 10 years ago, is looking for a UK distributor for its wine.

Chris Chinn is looking for a distributor for his English wines Chris Chinn is looking for a distributor for his English wines

One of the oldest farming families in Herefordshire, which converted from cattle to vines 10 years ago, is looking for a UK distributor for its wine.

The Chinns picked up from where the Romans left off on their land a decade ago by planting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier on 2ha of south-facing terraces.

On release of their first vintage of Castle Brook sparkling wine they scooped silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards. In 2014, they won best overall wine at the South West Vineyards Association.

The Chinns, which have farmed at Castle Brook since 1925, are also one of the largest growers of asparagus, fruit and potatoes in the UK. Wine seemed a natural progression as they already had agricultural resources for trellising and growing vines.

"We knew the Romans had planted vines on the lower terraces here at Castle Brook and as we love growing things and love drinking wine, my father said 'why don't we grow vines'?" says Chris Chinn, who runs the wine business with his father John, mother Gay and brother Henry.

The family has worked with Ridgeview Wine Estate in Sussex to produce their fizz in the traditional method ever since their first vintage.

Chris says the reason for working with award-winning Ridgeview was simple. "Ridgeview has the same philosophy, focusing only on traditional Champagne varieties to produce the best sparkling wines."

Castle Brook vineyard in HerefordshireCastle Brook vineyard in Herefordshire

The Chinns produce around 7,000 bottles a year and they currently sell online as well as at local shops, weddings and food festivals. They plan to release a rosé and blanc de blancs in 2017.

After a recent injection of investment into PR and marketing, they will release a new label on March 1st. The family are now looking for a new distributor for the UK and possibly overseas sales.

Chris says the unique terroir of Herefordshire provides ideal growing conditions and points out that if their "fussy asparagus crops" can thrive on the soil here then their vines are just as comfortable.

"The microclimate here in the rain shadow of the Black Mountains includes a really sheltered valley with a steep, south-facing slope rising from 150ft-300ft, so we're not affected badly by frost," explains Chris.

"It's really thin soil over fractured sandstone rock which makes the vines work hard, but it's mineral rich so it's something for the vines to pick up and give the wine depth and quality, which is really important. But soil is one element in a complex cocktail of variables," he adds.

If you would like to contact Chris Chinn you can at chris@cobrey.co.uk.

 

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