Vineyard near Stourbridge unveils limited edition red wine in memory of founder
A vineyard near Stourbridge has unveiled a limited-edition commemorative red wine honouring its late founder who died two months ago.
As Halfpenny Green Wine Estate prepares to welcome up to 20,000 visitors in December, the finishing touches have been applied to its MCV Reserve, dedicated to the memory of Martin Charles Vickers - one of the most influential and respected figures in the English wine industry.
The red wine, taken from the 2022 harvest of rondo grapes, is the estate’s biggest tribute to Martin to date, with the idea first being mooted shortly after his death at the age of 82 in September 2024.
Bursting with blackberry, plum and forest fruits, the wine also boasts a gentle warm spice, with only a limited number of bottles available.
Martin’s legacy is deeply rooted in the region. In 1983, with his son Clive, he planted 400 vines on a small patch of their family farm.
Today, that same patch has grown into a thriving 30-acre vineyard, producing hundreds of thousands of bottles each year.
His passion for the industry extended beyond the family business, even supporting the planting of a new vineyard at Harper Adams University in Shropshire to help train the next generation of viticulturists.
Clive, daughter-in-law Lisa and grandchildren Imogen and Emily described Martin as a much-loved dad, grandad and friend whose “forward thinking and indefatigable spirit” shaped everything the estate has become.
Alongside the release of the MCV Reserve, December is set to be the estate’s busiest month in recent history.
Visitors are expected to flock to its gift shop, butchers, deli and restaurant for some festive inspiration ahead of Christmas Day.
Local and regional suppliers are again forming a major part of the estate’s Christmas offering. On-site butcher Reg Phillips is taking Christmas meat orders, with all produce sourced from across Shropshire and the surrounding counties. His Christmas offerings include Christmas meat hampers and a range of seasonal meats including turkey crowns, bronze and white turkeys, free-range geese, ducks, cockerels, chicken, venison, pheasant, three-bird roasts and game.
Meanwhile, the estate’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu with local ingredients and Christmas Wine Tours are now also available at the vineyard.
Clive Vickers said: “This is shaping up to be our biggest December ever, and releasing a wine in Dad’s honour makes it especially meaningful for us as a family. We’re incredibly grateful for the support we continue to receive from visitors across the region.”
