What is the MVA?
The MVA is the most northerly of the United Kingdom’s six regional
associations of vineyards and wine producing enthusiasts. It was
founded in 1994 to represent the increasing number of vineyards being
planted in the Midlands and the North. Originally there were 11
participating members. Currently, there are members in northern
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The most northerly v
ineyard is currently at Carnforth on the western side of England.
However as a result of recent plantings, we also have four vineyards
in Yorkshire, five in Northamptonshire and six in Shropshire. Many new vineyards are also being planting in Lincolnshire, including Somerby (photo below) and Kingfishers Vineyard in Leicestershire (left)
Who can join?
Membership of the association is not limited to commercial
vineyards. We currently have many members who have private vineyards,
(several in allotments) or who enjoy the social side of viticulture.
There are a number of meetings each year, usually at a vineyard,
at which members can meet and discuss matters relating to viticulture.
In 2007, the AGM was held at Leventhorpe Vineyard near Leeds, the
annual competition at Upton Hall near Newark and a social meeting at
Wroxeter vineyard, near Shrewsbury. In addition, the Association hosted
the UKVA national competition and followed it up with a wine
festival, at which members of the public could come and sample
the competition wines.
How much does it cost to join?
The current fee is £50.00 a year which includes the affiliation
fee payable to the United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA).
Commercial vineyards with more than 0.1 hectares of vines also
pay a hectareage charge on their total plantings.
What do I get for the membership fee?
Part of the fee covers the costs of running the association and
its events, and a quarterly magazine. The UKVA provides legal help
and viticultural advice to members. It also runs the national quality
wine scheme, similar to the Appelation d’origine Contrôlée system
in France. Members can exchange ideas via the private group e-mail
forum and can attend the annual symposium, usually held in London.
The UKVA also negotiates with DEFRA and with European viticultural
bodies on such topics as sprays, approval of vines and the operation
of the national quality control scheme for wines. Every year, the
UKVA publishes a magazine, The Grape Press, and a guide to pesticides
that are approved for use in the UK.
Powerpoint presentation on benefits of membership
How are members informed of activities etc?
The Association publishes a magazine ‘The Grapevine’ quarterly.
Recent editions have featured organic viticulture, allotments
and the making of sweet wines. The latter topic included articles
by leading UK winemaker Martin Fowke of Three Choirs Vineyard, and
by Tony Skuriat of Eglantine Vineyard in Nottinghamshire, whose
sweet wine won a gold medal at the 2007 CEVI wine competition in France.
What are the main activities?
The Annual General Meeting is usually held at one of the vineyards in March.(photo at Leventhorpe Vineyard,Leeds).
A social meeting is generally held in the Autumn, after the harvest is in,
when all members have a chance to relax. The 2007 meeting was held at Wroxeter Roman Vineyard near Shrewsbury, home of chairman David Millington. It featured a tasting od red wines and a discussion on red vines suitable for the UK. The association also holds seminars on the legal and general problems of setting up a vineyard. These are usually held at Welland Valley Vineyard in Northamptonshire
The annual wine challenge features wines from all over the region, and
is open to any wine produced in quantities from 12 to 12000+ bottles a year.
The award of a certificate from this competition makes the wine eligible
for being described as a ‘Regional Wine’ from a specified region or county.
A wide range of trophies are also available for categories such as Best
White Wine, Best Sparkling Wine or the Best Small Producer. It is
held at a variety of locations. In March 2011, we will be at the stately home of the Sitwell family- Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire. Once, this was considered the most northerly vineyard in Britain- but climate change has left it behind as vineyards in Yorkshire and Scotland develop.
The 2011 competition will be held at Welcombe Hills vineyard in Warwickshire.
Why is it important for me to join?
The strength of any association is the sum of the knowledge and skills
of its members. The MVA provides a forum that allows individuals to
share ideas about their interest in wine and vines and helps to bring
English and Welsh wines to a large audience. Together, we can ensure
that English and Welsh wine is recognised by customers as a quality product.