Famous five for Chilford

Chilford Hall Vineyard and Conference Centre triumphed in the East Anglian Wine Growers Association (EAWGA) regional awards competition with five medals and the prestigious Founders’ Trophy for the Granta Valley 2009, awarded for the best red wine in East Anglia.
The regional awards were presented at an event at Chilford Hall on July 20 attended by 50 people from vineyards across East Anglia.
The four local judges were Anthony Foster MW, Robin Crameri MW, former winemaker Roy Williams and Mary Mudd, EAWGA chair.
The Founders’ Trophy was commissioned and donated to the association several years ago by wine enthusiast and entrepreneur Sam Alper, the late owner of Chilford Hall.
Glen Mejias, (pictured right) director and general manager of Chilford Hall says: “We are delighted with our awards scoop this year, we are proud of all our wines but it is particularly special to us to be awarded the Founders’ Trophy.
“Due to our climate, England is known to be best suited to the production of white and rosé wines and at Chilford Hall vineyard we are pleased to be successfully producing white, rosé and red. Our wine tours and tastings ticket sales are more popular than ever as interest in English wine continues to increase every year. English vineyards are producing some fantastic vintages and long may this continue!”
In the photograph, pictured left, is Fiona Alper, Chilford Hall owner.