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The Mercian Vineyards Association. MVA. The MVA is one of 6 regional associations Each association sends 1 rep. To the UKVA committee. Current MVA rep. Is Chris Gallimore or Welcombe Hills Vineyard, Stratford-on-Avon. MVA. The MVA has about 70 members
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MVA • The MVA is one of 6 regional associations • Each association sends 1 rep. To the UKVA committee. • Current MVA rep. Is Chris Gallimore or Welcombe Hills Vineyard, Stratford-on-Avon
MVA • The MVA has about 70 members • Main clusters are in Northants, Shropshire, North Wales and Yorkshire
MVA • The MVA has 3 meetings a year in different areas • The annual competition in 2010 will be at WROXETER • Halfpenny Green Vineyard won the 2010 champion cup and several others)
MVA • Publishes twice-yearly magazine, available on-line or in print • Runs a web-site at www.ukvines.co.uk/ /mercia
MVA • The MVA subscription is£50.00 plus a levy for productive hectareages of vines • The majority of this fee is sent to the UKVA
UKVA • The UKVA is run by a permanent secretary- currently Mrs Sian Liwicki of Bothy Vineyard, Oxfordshire • The committee consists of the Chairmen of the 6 regional associations
UKVA- activities • Negotiate with government on Wine Legislation • Organise the implementation of Wine standards and Labelling standards • Produce a bi-annual magazine • Organise (and pay for!) ‘off-label’ uses for sprays, and produce ‘the Green Book’ to explain these
UKVA - activities • Negotiate with government on agreed vines for planting. Note: this is not as rigid as in France. • Organise annual national Competition • Organise subsidised wine training via the current EU training scheme. Typical courses are available at £15 as opposed to £150 for non-commercial growers
UKVA- EWP • One of activities concerns Marketing • This is carried out by the English Wine Producers (EWP) run by Mrs Julia Trustram-Eve. See EWP website • EWP organises Welsh and English Wine week in May/June
Setting up a new vineyard • The old marketing adage- location, location, location • Select a site with good drainage • Get an expert to assess how suitable the soil is • Ensure that you get at least 90 days with 10 degrees or above
Location In a recent study, vineyards reported on their underlying rock formations and slope direction. South and SE facing slopes are best. Study available at www.ukvines.co.uk (Books section)
Site selection • Decide what sort of wine you want. Sparkling gets a higher price but takes longer • Select suitable vines I.e. don’t expect that the vines that grow in France will grow where you are. They may – Pinot Noir does. Take advice on rootstocks • After planting, expect to wait 4 years for a decent crop • During this time, plan who is going to make your wine
Your vineyard • Decide where you are going to sell several thousand bottles. • Tourist trade • Your own shop – staffing? Toilets etc? • Local farm shops or farmers markets (Licences) • Wholesale trade • Sell the grapes – sound out potential buyers
And finally • Do not expect to make a large amount purely from a vineyard. Generally it is part of the ‘Marketing Mix’. • Good luck