English Wine Week at Henley on Thames

 

The 2024 English Wine Week at Henley-on-Thames didn't draw as big a crowd as the Regatta but wasa creditable effort as far as we were concerned.

At the Daws Hill stand we met the wonderful Holly Morgan who does everything - literally everything. With 5,000 vines extending over 3 acres we can testify that that is hard work indeed. As well as Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, Holly has Auxerrois to add to her sparkling wines.

She also makes Cyder from locally grown apples.

Daws Hill is near Radnage in the Chilterns kust the other side of the M40 from Henley. Previously not on our radar, it is now!

JoJo's Vineyard is nearer and was planted relatively recently. They have 7 different grape varieties; Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir Precoce. They were the only participants making still as well as sparkling wines.

JoJo's are leaders in technology in the vineyard with robots, drones and specially designed sowing and planting equipment.

 The name Wyford is Barbara Laithwaite's vineyard in South Oxfordshire. The Laithwaite family are very busy with sparkling wine also in Windsor Great Park and at Harrow and Hope, Marlow. They really know their onions going from a standing start to winning prizes and competitions.

Laithwaites wine merchants also had a stand. They have retail stores at Beaconsfield, Bracknell, Windsor and Reading which makes them local. Never forget they are Britain's largest and most profitable wine merchants.

 

Finally, Jan Mirkowski of Fairmile Vineyard - the only vineyard within the town of Henley. Jan is another amazing person who has gone from nought practically to infinity in a short time. He produces delicious English Sparkling Wine as it should be. Not only that, Jan has ben generous with his time and advice to hobby winegrowers such as ourselves.

The Thames Valley and conurbation may not be the best area for wine in the UK but there are plenty of excellent producers giving East Anglia, Kent, Sussex and all - even Crouch Valley - a good run for their money.