It’s not just about me! Its all about the grapes!
Wales
Pembrokeshire
2/32 vineyards
A brief history of vine..
What is grown at Velfrey …….
Solaris
Solaris is a variety of grape used for white wine. Created in 1975 at the grape breeding institute (“great name “) in Germany by Norbert Becker
Becker created Solaris by crossing varieties Merzling with Gm 6493 Gm 6493 The Prefix Gm refers to Beckers workplace Geisenheim grape breeding institute, where “Gm” serial numbers for Geisenheim were given for the each plant produced. It is commonly grown in northern European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. As of 2007, there were 54 hectares (54 Twickenham rugby pitches) of Solaris in Germany, of which 35 hectares (86 acres) were in Baden, where Freiburg is located.
Solaris is fruity and aromatic – hints of gooseberry, citrus and elderflower and high acidity. In cooler climate, with less sugar content, also as a dry wine suitable for fish, shrimp or chicken.
Pinot Noir
Pale to medium ruby; Often bright and youthful, reflecting good mouthwatering feel.
Typical Characteristics
Red cherry, Cranberry, Raspberry, Redcurrant
Tannins: Fine, silky & light Body
Found In: France Germany Switzerland and UK
Food Pairing : Duck, Chicken, Salmon or tuna, Pork and Lamb and Root Vegatables(V)
Seyval Blanc
Pale lemon to straw, bright clarity, light-bodied, fine bubbles in sparkling wines
Lemon, lime, green apple, elderflower, flint, sea breeze; hints of biscuit or brioche if lees-aged
High acidity, citrus and green fruit, light body, crisp minerality, clean dry finish
If you like Solaris you might also like Bacchus, Madelaine Angevine or Ortega
If you linke Rondo you might also want to try Pheonix, Katherina or Schuyler
If you linke Seyval Blanc you’ll like cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay Weissburgunder Madeleine Angevine
4 acres planted / 1.6 Hectares or 1 1/2 Twickenham rugby pitches
Like most vineyards in Wales you normally find them tucked away in little roads driving through small enchanted lanes. Turn a corner in a misty lane in Wales and you might just come across some beautiful vistas. Velfrey is in sheltered spot waiting to be discovered. Family run and quite small by comparision of the likes of Chapel down and Nyetimber. Small is good!
Velfrey Vineyard is owned by Andy and Fiona Mounsey, who run it with support from their son Ryan and his wife Sophie – the family business is crucial to the brand. Keeps it small and keeps it niche !
But thats not the only important bit.
Winemakers grow what grows locally. The UK has some fabulous grapes that grow well here and are exciting to discover. Over the next year you’ll see me discover them and visit them (Stay tuned !). Discovering new grapes and new characteristics is what’s exciting and it’s all on our doorstep
Velfrey meets you at the gates and slopes gently down and away from the entrance to the estate – great for position of growing grapes.
Only set in 2-3 acres it is nevertheless prime for growth. Have a look at the map below to see how small and how much potential the estate has. Out-buildings can be tuned into production facilities. Land can be exploited sustainably – All part of future plans.
Click on the map to see more
Velfrey uses Solaris , Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir as its principal grapes. Some youve heard of. some you havnt. Isnt that whats the exciting part.
“You dont have to like Solaris but at least you should try it – you dont want to be stuck on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for the rest of your life do you ? “
This is what is successfully grown in this location locally. When I visited there recently there was talk of removing trees near the entrance of the property and sustainably plant them elsewhere. This would give the estate more land to plant vines and excuse the pun, grow exponentially.
Interesting to see what develops !
Velfrey have 4 wines at the moment but they have produced some great wines. SEE BELOW. Something to discover for everyone.
Velfrey Vineyard is a small, family-run vineyard and visitor destination in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Established in the mid-2010s it focuses on cool-climate, high-quality sparkling wine made using the traditional (bottle fermentation) method – just like champagne. The vineyard offers tours, tastings and grazing boards. Something for everyone looking to discover new vineyards!
Visit them here ! velfrey-vineyard
Andy and Fiona moved from Derbyshire to Pembrokeshire for a simpler life; after visiting a neighbouring vineyard they noticed that their land was suitable for growing grapes. In 2016 they turned that idea into a reality. Velfrey occupies a sheltered, south-facing slope, uses the coastal influences of Pembrokeshire help reduce disease and because of its size the vineyard is hand harvested rather than attacked by machinery during picking !
Why Velfrey chooses the grapes !
Pinot Noir is the classic base for quality sparkling wines is uses for its elegance and finesse Seyval Blanc is a white grape variety that grows very well in the UK – giving a mouth watering feel and a fragrant experience Solaris is aromatic and fruit driven
Velfrey has made sparkling wine production a priority by highlighting traditional sparkling wine methods whilst also making still whites from the Solaris grape In all my years in the wine industry the one thing consumers like is keep it small and relevant. Velfrey does just that !
Sign up to the vineyard to keep up to date with new products. products include a Gin and also Some times Velfrey ventures out to new products like a vineyard gin or “Natural” or “Naturol” style wines.
SEE velfrey-vineyard for more
Go and visit Velfrey for ….
- regular tours (seasonal schedule)
- grazing boards featuring local charcuterie and cheeses
- tutored tastings
- adopt-a-vine schemes
- and gift-oriented products
Velfrey sells directly through its online shop and at the vineyard, and has a small but growing presence with regional wine merchants. hopefully on my site soon( more details soon…)
consult the vineyard’s website and social channels.(see link throught this article )
What they make !
Velfrey NV (Traditional Method Sparkling)
Aroma
Appearance
Mouthfeel
Bright, lively with excellent clarity. As a non-vintage sparkling, expect a pale lemon hue with fine bubbles
Citrusy and fresh with notes of peach, apricot, apple pastry; white florals; minerality. The traditional method adds brioche/cream character from the lees
Crisp acidity, refreshing finish, refined biscuity or brioche note from extended lees ageing (22 months in one version) giving complexity. Good length
Style summary: A cool-climate British sparkling that balances bright fruit (green apple, citrus) with subtle toasty character (brioche, cream) Good food pairing: Works well as an aperitif, with seafood (oysters), or with richer dishes (e.g., pork belly) where the acidity cuts through the fat.
Rhosyn (Sparkling Rosé, Vintage 2021)
Appearance
Aroma
Mouthfeel
Delicate blush or pale rosé colour (achieved by gentle skin contact of Pinot Noir in the blend)
Floral notes (cherry blossom, rose petal), red fruit (cherry, strawberry, pomegranate), subtle pastry/yeasty brioche from lees ageing
Crunchy red apple and blood orange, fine mousse (tiny bubbles), clean nutty finish. Good acidity and freshness
Style summary: Elegant sparkling rosé from Wales, combining red fruit freshness with the complexity of a traditional method sparkling — a refreshing but serious wine.Ageing: The 2021 vintage can be drunk till 2030 and beyond with careful cellaring
Solaris Still Dry White
appearance
aroma
mouthfeel
Light straw/hay colour (typical of a fresh white in cooler climate)
Citrus (lemon/lime), white peach, elderflower — fresh and vibrant.
Clean, zesty, refreshing acidity, with light fruit and a hint of minerality reflecting the terroir
Style summary: A still white wine offering the super crispness of a wine grown in cooler temperatures – less complexity than the sparkling in terms of lees-derived notes, but with clarity and finesse.Food pairing suggestion: Soft cheeses (e.g., goat’s cheese), light salads, seafood.
Naturiol (Still White, Minimal Intervention)
100% Solaris
appearance
aroma
mouthfeel
Similar to the Solaris, but as a “natural” wine expect a little more texture and presence in the glass.
Baked apple, caramel, a hint of pineapple (for the 2021 Seyval Blanc harvest version).
Dry, refreshing, crunchy green apple, subtle smoke, and a creamy buttery finish
Velfrey 2020 Vintage Welsh Sparkling Wine
appearance
aroma
mouthfeel
pale to light straw-gold colour. Small bubbles and creamy
white fruits (pear, maybe white peach) toch of citrus citrus blossom
Honeyed pastry / maybe brioche with gentle minerality
fine mousse which is lively and elegant
pear / melon and citrus freshness. Yet again citrus blossom, white fruits and honeyed pastry
refreshing mouthfeel crisp with a long finish
Why choose Velfrey ?
With so many producers to choose why choose this one. Thats up to you ! After all you have over a 1000 to choose from.
Well I always say choose your champagne & choose your grape.
In this instance. Find out if Solaris is your grape. Find out if Pinot Noir in a sparkling wine that works for you and find out if the cool climate has any effect on what you perceive it should taste like.
Try their natural wine. See if you like it – Its an Adventure after all !
I’m always on hand to ask any questions (just email me link below)
I’ve even put up a wine school approach to tasting to see how close you get to correctly identifying characteristics. Print off the 2 pages below and send them to me – see how well your doing. Always good to see how far along the road of wine enlightenment you are.
Try Velfrey as it is Welsh and its home grown. Even if you don’t like the characteristics. That’s ok. What you have done is discovered a new winery and a new story and you may just of found a sexy label.
They would love to hear from you !
None of the winereries I’m writing about have given me any samples. Merely I’m doing this to promote the fabulous wines of Wales
TGW
