The only way is Essex wine, say growers toasting Crouch Valley
IT IS, perhaps, not the first place that comes to mind when you think of a famous region for wine. But vineyards in Essex are hoping to change that after they launched a bid to trademark the region’s name.
Growers are teaming up to create a safeguarding trademark for a 77-square mile area – dubbed Crouch Valley – and it is hoped it could eventually be granted European protection.
The trademark will restrict who can lay claim to producing Crouch Valley wine, which has quietly been collect- ing dozens of industry awards.
New Hall Vineyards, one of the nation’s oldest producers, is helping to lead the charge. Lucy Winward, operations manager, hopes buyers can look beyond their prejudices.
She said: “The Only Way is Essex stereotype in some ways benefits us as wine producers, because visitors may come to the vineyard with an expectation of meeting a stilettoed, perma-tan team of staff.
“What they discover is our vineyards are located in the most beautiful rural areas, run by a plethora of skilled and talented producers.”
She added: “Essex has always been renowned for producing high quality fruit and we have been selling to other wineries in the UK for decades.”
Crouch Valley boasts a consistent mild climate, low rainfall and coastal breezes that protect it from frost.
Red and white wine is produced there with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Bacchus grapes all thriving. Eleven small vineyards are currently operating, yielding 400 tons of fruit a year.
Dale Symons, chairman of the East Anglian Wines group and owner of Clayhill Vineyard, believes it will not be long until Essex is on the international map.
He said: “I used to joke with my father about planting olives and oranges on the south-facing slopes of our fields running down to the River Crouch.
“I decided after another year of struggling cereal profits to plant vines in 2006. I think my family probably thought I was mad and taking a big risk, and I was, even though it was only 11 years ago the English wine industry was still very small, still emerging from what was seen as a ‘hobby’ industry into professional businesses.”
The scheme is also supported by Beverly Tabbron, Master of Wine and buyer for Hallgarten Druitt and Novum, a supplier, as well as district councils.