News from Eastcott Vineyard & Winery.

WINEMAKING DREAM IS RIPE FOR THE PICKING

JANE OMARA

from the Western Morning News - 3rd May 2008

A west Devon town may soon join the giants of France and New Zealand as a top producer of fine wines.

The Eastcott Vineyard near Okehampton, West Devon, plans to produce high quality wines including Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and rose, as well as opening a winery for tastings.

Owners Richard and Hilary Waller, who moved to the site near Northlew about a year ago, have planted a range of grape varieties and aim to have their vineyard and winery up and running in about two years' time.

Mrs Waller said they had planted Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes for sparkling wines, Chardonnay, red Rondo and Dunkelfelder.

The couple are being advised by vineyard consultant Hans Scheifler, who has helped set up vineyards across the region.

The vines were imported from Germany and planted by a specialist team, who used laser guided machinery to ensure the rows were straight and evenly spaced.

Mrs Waller said: "We planted up one field this year and hope to plant a second next year. We chose the site because of the south-facing, well-drained field.

"Typically, vines are planted as very small plants, about the height of a rose bush. They take at least three years to the point where one can harvest a crop. We have a high-grassed sort which comes with a stem - hopefully they'll crop in two years' time.

"It looks like a field of twigs at the moment."

The couple also have been renovating three holiday cottages and are converting a barn into a winery which, it is hoped, will be complete late this year or early next year.

People will be able to visit for tours of the vineyard, wine-tasting and to purchase the delicious locally produced wine.

Mrs Waller said the couple had no plans to sell wine to supermarket giants such as Waitrose, but intended to sell it to visitors at their winery.

"Our goal is to make high quality wine and boost the English wine market," she said.

The couple's new life is a world away from their former corporate jobs in Oxfordshire.

Mrs Waller added: "We said if we're going to do something different, we're going to do it now. We'll always regret it if we don't try."

 

 

 

THE VINEYARD DEVELOPMENT IN PICTURES

The progress of the vineyard and also the winery development is being documented in photographs by a member of the Okehampton Camera Club, Derek Stratton. His photo gallery can be viewed here.

 

For more information contact us.

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  ACCOMMODATION
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  WINES
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  GRAPES

TOMMY TONKINS

from the Okehampton Times 24th April 2008

Fizz & sparkle could soon be served up in Okehampton as part of an ambitious plan to put the town on the conniseur map.

Okehampton is famous for many things but, it is safe to say, it is not on the maps of many winemakers or experts - all this is about to change.

The words Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are synonymous with exotic regions across the world from old-world France to the new-world valleys of New Zealand. But now they have made their way to Okehampton.

Richard and Hilary Waller, who have lived in the area for just under a year, planted five varieties of grape vines in a sheltered vale near Northlew late last week.

Having each spent 30 years in corporate life, the couple decided to turn their hand to something completely different and establish Eastcott Vineyard.

The vale where the vines have been planted was specifically chosen by the Wallers to produce the best grapes and build a winery where the highest quality English wines can be made.

The vines were plated between 5.30pm and 10pm on Friday April 18 and included Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier - grape varieties used in the production of Champagne that will see the an English sparkling wine produced.

White, red and rose wines will also be produced. The vines were imported from Germanyand were planted by a specialist team who used laser guided machinery to ensure they were planted in straight rows and evenly spaced. With this machinery more than 4000 vines can be planted in under half a day.

Hilary and Richard are being advised by a vineyard consultant Hans Scheifler who has helped set up other vineyards across the south west. Mr Scheifler is hopeful that the first grape crop will be ready in around 2 years time.

The Wallers said: "the English wine industry is enjoying excellent growth, with the leading retailer Waitrose reporting a sales increase of over 90% in 2007.

Lets hope that Okehampton's newest venture will join this sucess and provide another local attraction."

Further plantings are planned for 2009 as well as the development of an on-site winery.