Sir Gavin Williamson visited Halfpenny Green Wine Estate as they celebrate their 40th anniversary in the wine business.
Sir Gavin met with the owners of family business, Halfpenny Green Wines in Bobbington. The company was set up by farmer Martin Vickers 40 years ago, whose ambition was to create a vineyard that would rival wines on the continent. Today Martin employs his son Clive and Clive’s wife Lisa in their vineyard, shop and on-site café. The business has come a long way since 1983, when the first half acre of grapes were planted. Now the vineyard is comprised of almost 30 acres of grape vines, making it one of the largest wineries in the UK. The wines produced by Martin and his family have won awards at international competitions, such as the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards, a rigorous international competition where Martin’s Chardonnay won a silver medal.
Sir Gavin said: “It was a pleasure to meet with the Vickers family and visit their successful wine business. I really enjoy visiting small family businesses in Staffordshire, and it was great to see the true passion that has fuelled the success of this wine business for so long. English wines are becoming really popular in recent years as people are starting to recognise the beauty of quality English wine. Martin has truly got it right.”
