AN AWARD-WINNING vineyard producing wines from hand-picked grapes on the Herefordshire border has officially launched its English wines this month.

Foxbury Fields Vineyard, which is based at the foot of the Malvern Hills, produces small batch Bacchus and Ortega wines from grapes grown in their own unique micro-climate.

Heather Williamson, who set-up Foxbury Fields Vineyard in Bromsberrow with her partner Richard Baker, said: “It has always been a dream of ours to create our own vineyard and to produce our own wine.

“We achieved this in 2016 with the initial planting of our vineyard and the creation of Foxbury Fields. Since those early days, we have established the business further and are proud to be producing high quality, elegant English white wines, which we are thrilled to say are now available to purchase throughout Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

“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 vintage English Bacchus at 11.5% VOL.

“The Ortega wine we 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.”

The Bacchus grape grown at the vineyard was created in 1933 by viticulturalist Peter Morio by crossing Silvaner x Riesling with Muller-Thurgau varieties to create a grape that produces a fine white wine.

Originating in Germany, Bacchus has increasingly been grown in the United Kingdom. The climate being colder means the grapes tend to have increased levels of acidity compared to their German counterparts, giving a new flavour take on a classic German grape by keeping it from becoming too intense or sugary.

The Ortega grape is used for white wine. It was created in 1948 by Hans Breider at the Bayerischen Landesanstalt für Wein, Obst-und Gartenbau in Würzburg and was discharged with varietal security in 1981. It is a combination of Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe.

Ortega matures early and isn’t susceptible to frosty conditions, making it ideal for wine production in the UK. It is regularly utilised for sweet wines, which are considered to improve with cellaring. Ortega wines often have hints of Muscat and peach, along with a citrus aroma, which produces a crisp and fruity wine.

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 and purchasers can collect their orders from the vineyard by arrangement only.

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 and celebrates its 91st anniversary this year. Wyevale Nurseries is family-owned and is currently run by the third generation of Williamsons, Heather and Simeon, who are joint Chairmen of the company.

Heather added: “If any businesses in the area would be interested in stocking and selling our Foxbury Fields Vineyard wines direct to the public, we would love to hear from them too. They can get in touch with us by calling 07974793367 or emailing Heather@foxburyfields.co.uk.”