Wine Tasting

The background to Brightwell Vineyard, the English wine industry, and wine tasting
Carol Nielsen
Brightwell Vineyard

Carol Nielsen, co-owner of Brightwell Vineyard, will talk about how the English wine industry has developed over the last 2000 years and what the future might hold for the vineyard and the English wine industry in general.

Brightwell Vineyard was first planted in the late 1980's and acquired by its present owners in 2000. It covers 16 acres and grows eight varieties of grape including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Huxelrebe, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir. The wines produced - white, rosé, red and sparkling - are made in the on site winery in a natural style, with minimum intervention. The wines are sold in many independent wine shops, delicatessens, farm shops and local Waitrose stores, also local restaurants and pubs, and it is exported to Switzerland, Singapore and Japan.

We will be able to taste some of the wines grown and produced at Brightwell Vineyard with discussion on the winemaking practices used.