Wroxeter Vineyard celebrates 21 years in business
Wroxeter Roman Vineyard has “come of age.”, it was 21 years ago that David Millington planted vines on land adjacent to the Roman City of Viriconium (Wroxeter), land which was part of Glebe Farm and had been in the family for over 60 years.
And it was 20 years ago this year that the vineyard near Shrewsbury produced its first vintage.
Award-winning Wroxeter wine has come a long way since but one thing never changes – its commitment to take over a shop in the Darwin Shopping Centre at Shrewsbury in the run-up to Christmas. This will be their 16th year at the Darwin Centre.
David’s son Martin Millington, who joined the family business soon after horticultural college and is the resident wine maker, has taken the reins of Wroxeter Wines from his father and is helped by wife Amanda, who runs the Christmas shop.
“The vineyard has come of age this year, 21 years since we planted the first vines, and 20 years since our first vintage. Taking over a shop unit at the Darwin always goes very, very well for us, we look forward to it.
“It’s nice that we are able to have the same shop unit again as last year, opposite Marks and Spencer,” said Martin.
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “You know it’s getting close to Christmas when Wroxeter Wines opens here in the Darwin Centre.
“They are a wonderful example of a top quality local producer and they have a fantastic range of wines and are ideal if you want something special and a bit different for the Christmas table.”
Apart from the full range of Wroxeter wines on sale and their ciders, their very popular gift packs and Wroxeter Christmas Hampers, Amanda says they will be selling the ever-popular Snowdonia cheese, jams, local chocolates, and local beers, including bottled beers from The Wood Brewery, Craven Arms and Hobsons Brewery, as well as Three Tuns from Bishops Castle.
Martin said: “The weather could have been kinder this year which was one of the worst farming years in terms of weather, we had our fair share of rain.
“Unlike some however, we have been able to get a crop off. It was not the biggest, but considering the weather we had, we managed a good crop.
“It was especially good when you look at some of the other vineyards in the UK. One vineyard which produces world-class sparkling wine, which very often beats the French, just shut the vineyard gate and decided not to bother. Others had to do the same.”
Tours of the vineyard and vineyard sales have been very successful this year. Martin has also found time to attend the autumn and spring Ludlow food festivals, and hopes to take in more festivals next year if he can find time.
The shop, on the top floor of the Darwin Centre, is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 10.30am – 4.30pm. The last day of trading is Christmas Eve.
