A trip to the heartlands of English wine
Local connection, a passion for the craft and a very friendly dog all play their part in one English vineyard’s quest to raise the profile of wine in the West Midlands, writes Rob Smith.
When asked to think of a wine-producing country, one does not immediately consider England, but there are a number of determined producers closer to home who are challenging the perception that good wine can’t be made in Britain.
One of those is Cathie Rolinson, of Elgar Wines, based out of Lovells Vineyard in Worcestershire. For English Wine Week I visited their base in the shadow of the Malvern Hills, where they produce more than 12,000 bottles a year and supply retailers including Marks & Spencer.
A former conferencing specialist, Cathie said she and her family came into running the business almost on a whim. They run Elgar Wines out of what was originally farmland that came up for sale at the back of their property in the village of Welland. That land became Lovells Vineyard, now the heart of Elgar Wines’ operation.
In 2010 the Rolinsons set up their first vines, planting 800 grapevines of reliable, relatively low-maintenance French and German lineage. Despite a frost scare in 2011, they reaped what they sowed in 2012 and were spurred on to expand their vineyard from five acres to nine and a half.
From a humble beginning, Cathie and her expanded team today produce six different varieties of vine and nine types of wine. The vines are painstakingly pruned and curled along rows that stretch across the vineyard.
The set-up at Lovells is the definition of relaxed – taking the tour feels like a stroll in a friendly host’s back garden.
The nine wines available, and the brand itself, are named in honour of one of British composer Sir Edward Elgar.
During my trip I stayed at the Best Western’s Bank House Hotel.
Tours of the vineyard run between May and October. Contact info@lovellsvineyard.co.uk or call 01684 311110.
