Vineyard and Wine Barn News
We hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. To update you about what has happened in the Vineyard and Wine Barn.
Harvest was again good considering the dull wet Autumn we had. The yields were up, and the quality of the grapes were as good as we could get them considering the poor Autumn weather. Our Chardonnay grapes did very well; but as we are realising we cannot make a red wine every year; our Pinot Noir grapes did not achieve the high sugar levels required to make our single variety Pinot Noir red wine this year, but don’t worry these grapes will be used for our Reserve Sparkling wines.
Our new Tasting Room in the Wine Barn was in full swing during the Summer period. We had a lot of visitors from the UK and Abroad who came to enjoy the local wine made from the grapes grown at Crouch Ridge Vineyard; the guided tours, events and refreshments. These visitors came for the wine and stayed for the beautiful view. With seating both inside and outside the Wine barn in the Vineyard gave people the opportunity to enjoy the glorious sunshine we had in September and those that wanted a Vineyard Stay found it at Hall Farm Cottages, overlooking the Vineyard & River.
Our Tasting Room is now open to visitors from Saturday 7th March on weekends & when the flag is flying, we serve our wines, local beers, classic hand spun milkshakes and soft drinks; a selection of sharing boards, sandwiches & platters, delicious hot beverages and sweet treats.
September saw our new collaboration with local chef Dan Hull, holding Chill Out Nights in the Wine Barn with Dan’s delicious tasting menus & Crouch Ridge wine paired with each tasting course. These evenings are good fun with everyone saying how much they enjoyed the food & wine along with the experience & knowledge gained both about the wine & how to prepare the tasting dishes at home.
A big thank you to all our Wine Club members who came over the holiday period to collect their wine for Christmas and New Year. We will be launching our new vintages at a private tasting for all members on Friday 22nd May 2020.
Exciting news, our online shop finally went live for Christmas, and our wine can now be ordered and delivered that way. Limited stock vintages are only available to Club members, who can check stock levels in the Cellar and order by email [email protected] or phone the sales team 01621 450450.
Tours and Event tickets will also be available to purchase online at the end of February, 2020.
We have lots of events and tours lined up for your diary in the Spring and early summer, tour dates are listed below and on the website; The Vineyard in association with the Napoleonic Association of the UK (NA) will be staging a Napoleonic Re-enactment event from Saturday the 23rd of May to Monday 25th of May 2020 (Late Bank Holiday).
The NA will set up Living History Encampments around the Vineyard that show-case how the French and Allied Armies circa 1812 were organized. On each day of the Weekend the Armies will give displays of the military training and equipment used during the Napoleonic Wars.
There will be a light skirmish using muskets only, an artillery display and a main Battle on each day. Any gun fire will be between 1pm and 4pm.
The Event will open to members of the Public between the hours of 10am and 4.30pm on each day. The Public will be charged an Entrance fee which will allow them to explore the Vineyard and the Military Encampments. Entrance to the event car park will be from Station Road.
All Wine Club members and villagers of Althorne are invited to join the re-enactors free of charge at 7pm on Saturday the 23rd of May. This will allow club members and villagers to talk to the re-enactors and look around the Camp. The Wine Barn will be open with live music, a Beer Tent will be provided along with Ice Cream Vans, Fast Food Stalls and a number of period sutlers tents to look around.
May 23rd to May 30th during English Wine week we will launch our latest Vintage Red Pinot Noir, Pinot Rosé and White Althorne Reserve.
2020 Chill Out Nights;
Chill Out Nights; with Crouch Ridge wines & Dan Hull’s tasting menu, The idea is a ‘Fun tasting evening’, 6-7 course taster menu paired with glasses of your favourite awarding winning wines; Local chef Dan will give you some ideas of a few dishes you wouldn’t normally make at home, £45 per person (includes food & wine)
Dates include; 5th March, 10th April, 7th May
To discuss any allergies phone Dan 01621 786785
To Book you table (2 or more per table) phone/text Sam 07970527892; email [email protected]
Tours
Grand Tours & Tasting dates; (all information under Grand Tours on the website www.crouchridge.com £15 per person)
Guide Vineyard tours start at 2pm (Optional:- followed by wine tasting of 3 wines £15 & cheese, deli or charcutterie board £33). Wine Barn open for refreshments 10am -6pm;
April 11th 18th
May 2nd, 9th, 25th
June 6th
July 4th, 25th
Aug 15th, 23rd, 28th, 29th, 30th
Sept 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
Oct 3rd, 10th
Phone or email to book Sam 07970527892; email [email protected]
Don’t forget as Wine Club members you get 10% off all wine purchases anytime you buy our wine from Crouch Ridge Vineyard, just remind your server you are a VIP club member. Please let us know when you wish to collect/ deliver your Winter wines if you haven’t done so already; Taste of Crouch Ridge Club; 3 bottles of wine Crouch Ridge Reserve Club; 3 bottles including 1 sparkling wine
Up coming Wine Events for Wine Club Members
1st release of our 2018 Pinot Noir Red Reserve Wine Event – Friday 22nd May 2020 at 6.30pm
Exciting news for all you Pinot Noir lovers. We will be launching our 2018 single variety Pinot Noir Red, having sampled our Red back in September we have great expectations and can’t wait to share this delicious, delicate Red wine with you.
Sparkling 2017 Pinot Rosé and 2017 Blanc de Blanc. 2018 Pinot Rosé still wine & 2018 Cuveé Estate White – Friday 22nd May 6.30pm
You will be invited to taste these wines before they are released to the public and have priority access to purchase limited production reserve wines.
RSVP [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you at the Vineyard
Warmest regards
Ross & Sam Lonergan
Crouch Ridge Estate
