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The Vineyards of Wales- Gwinllanoed Cymru
Wales saw the end of one viticultural era, and was early to join the next. The Marquis of Bute's vineyard at Castell Coch saw the growth of Gamay Noir and Mille Blanche from 1875, and it flourished. By 1887, 3000 bottles of wine were being produced. Sadly, the sugar shortages of World War I made for difficulties in wine-making, and the last vines were uprooted in 1920. |
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In 1973, the Dixons at Llandegfedd heralded in the new viticultural age. This was followed by John Bevan who he planted 3 acres at Croftta, near Pontyclun. Sadly John died in the 1990's, and Croftta has been grubbed up. The oldest surviving vineyard, Glyndwr at Cowbridge, was planted by the Norris Brothers in 1983.
Today, vineyards have spread throughout the coastal areas of the Principality, most recently in Ynys Mon (Anglesey). Cariad at Llanerch and Cwm Deri (now largely devoted to fruit wines) have their own wineries but most of the rest of the southern vineyards rely on Three Choirs at Newent for wine-making.
Potential vineyard tours await tourists in the south (Sugar Loaf, Cariad, Wernddu, Parva Farm and Gelynis). Hopefully Ynys Mon's expanding industry will emulate it.
Iechyd da!
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