Grape Harvest - 2006, By Linda Preece one of our pickers

A glorious weekend in mid-October was judged by Mike Smith of Tas Valley Vineyard to be the optimum time to pick his grapes. This decision is not come by lightly. As with all crops, it is very much dependant on weather conditions both earlier in the year and right up to the moment of picking. This year, the weather has been kind and the crop was very heavy, to the extent of pulling some of the vines from their moorings. This was due to a warm spring followed by good flowering and fruit set in July. The time to pick is very much dependant on the ripening of the fruits and Mike has to monitor sugar and acid content constantly to reach a decision. Aided by sugar tests, measured in percentage Oeschle, he can avoid picking too early and imparting the wine with a sharp, acidic quality. But in October, the weather can be unpredictable and to bank on late autumn sunshine to improve sugar content, could prove disastrous. This year it was finely judged with some losses due to damp but overall the quality was very good. Of course the decision when to pick is one of many which crowd this end of the season. A slot has to be booked at the processing plant many miles away in Ashford, Kent. This facility is used by many small producers who must all be accommodated within a very few weeks of each other. Then there is the transport itself to organise as well as the staff to pick the actual fruit. So it was that my husband Bryan and myself joined about twenty other people of all ages and from various corners of Norfolk to pick grapes in ‘our’ vineyard. With Health and Safety warnings about sharp grape scissors ringing in our ears, we set to, filling two buckets apiece for hours on end, tipping them into large black bins ready to be loaded onto the lorries. It was constant, concentrated work in beautiful sunshine and strangely therapeutic. It was good to be part of the romantic side of a vineyard, out in the open amongst the gentle hubbub of voices as people chatted through the vines. It was satisfying to feel close to the land and part of the cyclical rhythm of nature. Even the aches in our backs when we had finished our stint were pleasurable insomuch as they represented a connection to the manual labour of harvest time. For Mike Smith of course, the romance was fleeting. Over the weekend of 7th to 8th October he transported five tons of ripe grapes to Kent, driving down for three hours and returning at two in the morning to begin the whole process again at eight o’clock the following day. Time ran out that weekend and the crop at the top of the vineyard was not gathered. In the following week, it was ‘touch and go’ whether Botrytis encouraged by the damp, muggy weather would send the close-packed bunches completely ‘over the top’ to be a worthless proposition. A heartbreaking decision should it come to abandonment. As it happens, Mike and his helpers gathered another ton and a half of good fruit and made the trip to Kent and back once again. So the harvest was safely gathered in and should produce about 6,500 bottles overall. Of course, harvesting is not the end of the story. The 4,000 vines will now be allowed to lay dormant for the wood to ripen and harden before pruning commences between January and March. This is a much longer task than the final picking we have just enjoyed. Plans for the construction of a new winery and shop are well advanced with planning permission obtained. This will obviously help tremendously in the future and cut the need for long, expensive and stressful journeys. Tas Valley Vineyard grows three types of German grapes, Bacchus, Reichenstiener and Mullerthurgau, early-ripening varieties suitable for our climate and this year, Mike will again be making 2,300 bottles of sparkling wine. His first 2004 bottling will be available early in 2007. This is unique to Norfolk! The only sparkling wine produced from grapes grown in our region and made by traditional Champagne methods. Innovation is helping Mike create a niche in the market with his personalised bottles of wine, ideal to celebrate special occasions. You can choose a template or have your own photograph or design printed on the label.

New - Sparkling White and Pink Vintage 2004

Coming soon to Tas Valley Vineyard is a 2004 vintage Sparkling Wine made from the Reichensteiner variety. Using the Traditional Champagne Method, to ensure a premium wine the wine is being now undergoing secondary fermentation in the bottle.

Available as both white and pink sparkling wines, it will be ready for drinking in late 2006.

Mike Smith of Tas Valley Vineyard said, "I am thrilled to announce this new range of popular wines. English sparkling wine is often compared to some of the finest Champagne, and with both pink and white varieties, it should complement our already comprehensive range of wines perfectly."

A Fresh Look for Tas Valley Vineyard

You may have noticed some changes happening here at Tas Valley Vineyard. As part of our continuing success, we have launched a brand new look and feel for our wine labels and website for the summer of 2005.

Our new labels are designed to reflect the peace and tranquillity of our idyllic countryside setting in the heart of Norfolk. The Bacchus label is inspired by the Emperor Dragonfly, just one of the few amazing species that thrive in the area. The Reichensteiner label, showing fresh, lush green grass, draws inspiration from both the fresh flavour of the wine and the incredible richness of colour in the vineyard in the Summer months. Lastly, the Reichensteiner Müller Thurgau label depicts more autumnal tones of golden red leaves - often seen when our grapes are ripe for harvest.

"These new labels say a lot about Tas Valley", said Mike Smith, founder of the vineyard, "The beautiful contemporary designs lend themselves perfectly to the ambience of the valley. Furthermore, we’ve carried this new look through to our website, which now features a full online shop, and the ability for customers to create their own labels should they wish". Whatever event you have to celebrate we have a personalised label to suit the occasion, our range includes Wedding labels, birthday labels, christening labels and corporate labels.

The personalised wine labels are a result of customers frequently asking if they are able to print their own messages on bottles of Tas Valley wine. Mike decided to go one step further, and offer the opportunity for customers to design their own labels, include their own photos, or choose from a variety of professionally-designed templates - all online. "There really is a label for any occasion" said Mike. "And it doesn't matter where you are in the country - you can see what your label looks like before it is printed."

Click on personalised labels to see our range of templates - or upload your own design.