A Vist To The Carr Taylor Vineyard

A Visit To The Carr Taylor Vineyards

Another generous gift from Wendy's dear friends to celebrate her significant birthday last year, was a tour of the Carr Taylor Vineyards, complete with wine tasting followed by a cream tea.

The vineyard is on the south coast, not far from Hastings, so it was an easy drive to reach it, and I was especially interested in its history and the production of the wines. I even took (momentary) part in the wine tasting towards the end of the tour, but I remain staunchly unconvinced that wine is desirable and delicious: my taste buds are definitely wired differently to most other people's! I was pleased I didn't have to swallow any of the samples - although I noticed many visitors did; the cream tea (and cups of tea) that followed was definitely more to my taste, and we had a delightful afternoon. 

The Carr Taylor vineyard is a family run business; it was established in 1971 and the estate consists of 37 acres, with a rich ore and clay shale soil, which I gather adds to the quality of the varieties of grape grown in it. The land slopes gently down to the southeast; it is well sheltered and has its own warm microclimate. I know very little about viticulture, except that there are so many variables to ensure the quality of wine produced, and it's wonderful to know England is an up and coming country in producing quality award-winning wines!

First view of the vineyard

Looking forward to the tour!

                                                                                                                   Bottles of wine galore!

Our guide introducing the wine tasting part of the tour - and, at last, the cream tea part of the tour! 

Murals and Merchandise!

Photographs of the cellar, adorning the walls of the Tea Room

Including a framed photograph of HM The Queen visiting the vineyard

Adverts!

...and vines are not the only plants that flourish here!