On this day in 2021, Shotley Vineyard celebrated Suffolk Day with the launch of its 2020 wine, which featured delightful hints of elderflower.
This marked the first limited release from the Shotley-based vineyard, introducing an English version of Sauvignon Blanc known as Bacchus, officially rolled out on that Monday.
The vineyard produced 300 bottles of the 2020 release, which boasted dry and refreshing notes of elderflower, gooseberry, and citrus, making it an ideal pairing for seafood or chicken.
To further infuse a touch of Suffolk into the wine, Shotley Vineyard had their bottles crafted by Giffords Hall in Bury St Edmunds, while the label was designed by local artist Sharon Teague from Eye.
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Charlotte Davitt-Mills, the vineyard owner, began her viniculture journey in 2017 after purchasing the four-acre vineyard with her husband, Craig Mills.
Initially, she had envisioned converting the fields into a glamping site.
However, after developing a passion for vine cultivation, she decided to leave her insurance job to focus on this new venture.
"I'm really happy to be doing it, it's just a happy accident," Mrs Davitt-Mills said, noting that she was pregnant with her second child at the time.
The couple had invested time in restoring the vines, which had been lifeless and overgrown, but were now thriving after being cleared and revitalised.
The couple's efforts had garnered positive feedback from the community, with many expressing their support for the vineyard's revival.
The success of the vineyard also allowed Mrs Davitt-Mills to bring on an apprentice, Toby Russell, who assisted her during her pregnancy in maintaining the vines.
"I do like to be involved with everything, to be honest," she added, mentioning plans for a new sparkling wine launch soon.
[From the Ipswich Star of June 22, 2021]
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