And so a whole year has past since I became the proud owner of Vally Farm Vineyards and what a year it has been. When I initially took over last January, the country was in lockdown, and I was very much a novice in wine terms, other than drinking it of course!
I also had two big personal events this year. My daughter got married, the happy couple’s future being toasted with our own fizz of course, and I also became a proud grandad for the first time, thanks to my son and his partner.
I am pleased to say that it has been a successful year and since everything ‘opened up’ we have had a steady stream of visitors. Possibly as to begin with, people could only meet up outside so we benefitted from being an outdoor venue, however I am delighted to say we have continued to have a steady stream of visitors. The vineyard has hosted birthday parties, family gatherings, work do’s and even hen parties! Not something that I had ever envisaged when I started out here.
Obviously I expected to be selling wine to people, but not to hosting so many events and people, this has been both a surprise and a delight. Way back at the beginning of the summer people were just pleased to get out and meet and talk with others, and this is such a lovely tranquil place to sit and chat and drink the odd glass of wine, or two.
The Grape Escape pod has been fully booked and the foundations for pod number two have been dug and I have had a number of suggestions for a suitable name for it.
The vineyard acquired its own pizza oven, which has proved very popular. A tour and tasting followed by pizza is a very civilised way to spend a few hours. Everyone adds their own toppings form the selection provided, so everyone gets what they like.
We have had a grape harvest, of course. A good crop of grapes as it turned out, which eventually made it to the winery in Cornwall. Due to the national shortage of lorries and drivers this was a slightly panicky moment, but thanks to my three intrepid helpers, who turned out and drove through the night, all the grapes were successfully delivered. I look forward to tasting the resulting wine they make when if finally returns here.
So a whole year on and not only are ‘the plates still spinning’ but I have met so many lovely people and am forging ahead with changes and improvements and looking forward to what this next year will bring. Hopefully see you sometime during it!