The inaugural Welsh Wine Press Trip, organised by the Welsh Government Drinks Cluster, successfully demonstrated the quality and diversity of Wales’ emerging wine industry to a select group of national and international wine and travel journalists. This milestone event represents a significant step forward in raising the profile of Welsh wine and showcasing the region’s commitment to excellence in viticulture.
The Welsh Government Drinks Cluster’s dedication to promoting the country’s wine industry was evident throughout the carefully curated experience, which took journalists across West and South Wales to visit seven distinctive vineyards. Each location highlighted different aspects of Welsh winemaking, from traditional methods to innovative regenerative practices, demonstrating the breadth and sophistication of the local industry.
Wales’ wine sector, while still developing, shows impressive statistics with 93.28 hectares under vine, 56 registered vineyards, and 264.65 hectolitres of wine produced in 2024. The industry employs over 1,200 people and contributes more than £950 million in retail sales value to the Welsh economy, making it a vital component of the broader drinks sector that generates over £800 million in turnover.
The press trip began at Velfrey Vineyard in Pembrokeshire, operated by the Mounsey family. This award-winning establishment, recognized as a Visit Wales ‘Hidden Gem,’ has earned Food & Drink Wales’ ‘Small Drinks Producer of the Year’ and demonstrates how family-run operations can achieve national recognition through quality and hospitality. The vineyard’s five-star ratings and Visit Pembrokeshire ‘Croeso’ Award for Tourism illustrate the potential for wine tourism development across Wales.
Hebron Vineyard, nestled beneath the Preseli Hills, showcased Wales’ commitment to sustainable and regenerative viticulture. Owners Paul Rolt and Jemma Vickers brought 25 years of expertise from their previous Spanish vineyard to establish Wales’ first Regenerative certified vineyard. Their unique approach includes an impressive living trellis system and the use of amphorae for winemaking, positioning them as innovators within the Welsh wine scene. Their dedication to zero-intervention winemaking and natural fermentation demonstrates the industry’s willingness to embrace both traditional and cutting-edge techniques. It was exciting to see the beginnings of their new onsite winery, which will make them independent and further increase sustainable practices.
St Hilary Vineyard in the Vale of Glamorgan represents the new generation of Welsh wine producers. Planted in 2021 by Peter and Liz Loch on premium farmland, the vineyard operates on low-intervention, regenerative principles. Their collaboration with Mountain People Wine in Tintern for their debut 2023 rosé illustrates the collaborative spirit within the Welsh wine community and the shared commitment to quality winemaking.
Llanerch Vineyard provided journalists with insight into Wales’ wine heritage as one of the country’s first commercial vineyards, originally planted in the 1980s. Now a celebrated destination hotel and vineyard offering weddings and business conferences, Llanerch demonstrates how the industry has evolved from pioneering experiment to established business success. Their award-winning Cariad wines and integrated hospitality offering show the potential for wine tourism development across Wales. The press trip enjoyed a memorable dinner at Llanerch with all the vineyard producers, celebrating local produce while facilitating valuable networking between journalists and winemakers.
The Dell Vineyard in Raglan highlighted the industry’s appeal to career changers and its integration with traditional Welsh agriculture. The Alford family exemplifies this transformation – Lucy, an ICU nurse, and Dan, a former graphic designer, discovered their passion for wine during their 2013 honeymoon in the Southern Hemisphere. When the pandemic prompted a career reassessment, their distant retirement dream became reality. Within three weeks of deciding to pursue viticulture, they began leasing a vineyard while planting 8,000 vines on Dan’s family farm, land worked by the Alfords for five generations. Their approach combines traditional farming heritage with modern viticulture techniques, representing the successful integration of wine production into Wales’ agricultural landscape.
White Castle Vineyard’s commitment to quality and sustainability is encapsulated in their philosophy: “From the land we love, wines we are proud of.” This boutique vineyard provided one of the trip’s most significant examples of Welsh wine quality recognition, innovating with viticulture by planting Cabernet Franc for still reds and an upcoming sparkling rosé due for imminent release. As the first Welsh vineyard to win Gold at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards, owners Robb and Nicola Merchant have demonstrated that Welsh wines can compete at the highest international levels. Their completion of Y Gwindy, their on-site winery in 2024, represents the kind of infrastructure investment that signals industry maturation and commitment to quality control throughout the production process.
The press trip concluded at Ancre Hill Estates, pioneers of Welsh winemaking and a Demeter-certified biodynamic and organic producer that exemplifies the technical excellence achievable in Welsh viticulture. The partnership between the Morris family and South African winemaker Jean du Plessis combines local terroir understanding with international expertise. Their philosophy of minimal intervention winemaking and emphasis on terroir expression aligns with global trends toward authentic, place-based wines.
Lauren Smith, Drinks Cluster Manager, who coordinated the press trip, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative’s success: “We’re absolutely thrilled with how the first Welsh Wine Press Trip unfolded. The energy, enthusiasm, and engagement from both journalists and producers was fantastic. This pilot has shown just how much potential there is to spotlight Welsh wine even further, and we’re excited about the opportunity to expand this model to other vineyards across Wales in the future.” The Drinks Cluster brings together businesses from across Wales’ diverse drinks industry under Special Interest Groups to drive strategic projects and innovation. The success of this inaugural press trip demonstrates the value of collective promotion and the potential for expanding such initiatives to other vineyards across Wales.
The inaugural Welsh Wine Press Trip has successfully established Wales as a serious contender in the global wine market. Through showcasing exceptional quality, innovative practices, and strong industry collaboration, the Welsh Government Drinks Cluster has demonstrated the effectiveness of strategic promotion in building recognition for Welsh wine. This milestone event signals a promising future for Wales’ wine industry and its potential for continued growth on the international stage. A joy to be part of such a momentous event. The hope is to extend the trip to Northern Wales, highlighting even more of the country’s growing wine industry.
