Somerset based Aldwick Estate announces it has released its Gold Award winning Woodlands Oak Bacchus following success at this year’s Wine GB awards. Wine GB represents, leads and supports the sustainable growth of the Great British wine sector and its awards are highly respected, with rigorous judging by a panel of nine judges, chaired by Susie Barrie MW, Oz Clarke OBE, and new co-chair Peter Richards MW. The limited-edition Woodlands Oak is a white wine made from 100% 
Bacchus Grapes and is a rich, medium-bodied wine with a floral nose and a complexity of flavours – tropical fruit, honeysuckle and grapefruit.

This crowning success recognises 33 years of masterful farm diversification for a business which now embraces a well-established vineyard, an award-winning wedding venue and tours, tastings and conferences. All parts of the business have seen strong growth in recent years. Sales over the past year were 50% higher than their pre-covid level with visitor numbers increasing for both tours/tastings and weddings. 5* reviews on Trip Advisor have also increased as have the positive
personal reviews given in visitor books (see example below). The beauty of the Aldwick Estate and all it offers attests to these developments.

Speaking today, Managing Director, Sandy Luck comments, ‘the business really does seem to have come into its own over the last few years with more focus on the synergy between the vineyard and the venue. We get such wonderful feedback from our visitors, whether they have been on a vineyard tour experience or have spent the evening with friends and family enjoying a private party in the venue, drinking the wine that has been produced onsite. Having my own wine behind the bar, is a real bonus and I believe is what makes Aldwick Estate that little bit more special. Last year we added additional accommodation and a new luxury lodge overlooking the vineyard, so that more visitors can stay and enjoy what’s on offer. It’s the attention to detail and the friendly family feel that I believe sets us apart.’

Victoria Greenhalf, a genuine vineyard tour and wine tasting visitor has also stated  ‘absolutely fantastic vineyard tour and wine tasting. Howard is excellent, in depth knowledge and a genuinely nice guy who loves the business. Picnic hamper was well worth it - excellent quality food and even a bottle of wine included! Would recommend to anyone’.

About Aldwick Estate

As a brief background, the Aldwick Estate is set in the beautiful North Somerset Countryside overlooked by the Mendip Hills. The family owned Aldwick Court Farm expanded into wine production in 2008 when it created its first vineyard in Homefield. In 2010 a second vineyard was planted in the hillside field, Woodlands. Aldwick now boasts 4.59 hectares of vines and six grape varieties. Following DEFRA grant, also in 2010, a new visitor centre and function room (the new barn) was completed as an adjunct to the vineyards. After the sudden demise of the business’s leading family entrepreneur, Chris Watts, in 2011, sister Sandy Luck picked up the baton to continue to realise his long term vision for the farm. In this year they harvested their first Seyval Blanc and Early Pinot Noir from Homefield to make a well-received Sparkling Blush, released in October 2013.  

Rebranded in 2018 to Aldwick Estate, it now produces a full range of wines from sparkling and rose to whites  and reds. Throughout the year visitors can enjoy vineyard tours and tastings to enhance knowledge and understanding of what it takes to produce national and international award winning wine.  As a fourth generation custodian of the family business Sandy aims to keep it secure and profitable, hopefully to eventually pass it on to one of her children.

To find out more, please contact Mrs Sandy Luck, MD at Aldwick Estate ([email protected]) or Ms Julia Brand, PR – Brand e Marketing ([email protected]). 

Taste of the West, the UK’s largest independent regional food group, will be supporting Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as its long term regional charity partner.

The group, which promotes and supports local food and drink producers from across the Westcountry, will be supporting CHSW which offers care and support to children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, through its three hospices across the South West.

John Sheaves, CEO of Taste of the West said: “We at Taste of the West are delighted to be partnering with Children’s Hospice South West. There is a very natural synergy between our two organisations – as the UK’s largest independent food group, we have supported the South West’s food and drink industry for over 30 years and a crucial part of this is supporting the people who live here. We are really looking forward to developing an exciting partnership in the coming months.”

CHSW will be an invited guest and exhibitor at the Taste of the West awards on 12 November at Westpoint where members will be able to find out more about the services offered to families by the charity.

Taste of the West will also become a member of CHSW’s Business Club; a network of local businesses who share a passion to give back to the local community by supporting CHSW.

Hayley Wallbank, Regional Partnerships Fundraiser for CHSW said: “From the moment we started conversations with Taste of the West it became clear that not only are we operating across a very similar area of the South West, there are also so many similarities between our two organisations. We are really excited that our hospices and families will have the support of Taste of the West who, in turn, are supporting local food and drink producers every day. We have some exciting plans coming together for the festive season which we look forward to announcing soon.”

Taste of the West champions food and drink producers in the West Country, as well as the places that serve and sell them. They have over 1,000 members and run an annual awards scheme which sees producers entering their products into the programme to be tried and tested by a panel of industry experts. Alongside this they also run an awards programme for hospitality and retail businesses where judges visit establishments selling food and produce across the region to recognise the best in the industry.

CHSW has three children’s hospices across the South West; Little Bridge House in North Devon, Charlton Farm in North Somerset and Little Harbour in St Austell. The charity is currently supporting over 500 children and young people who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. The hospices provide those children and young people with a place to visit with their families for short breaks, resilience stays, palliative care as well as end of life care and bereavement support.

MJBaker and Westcountry Foodservice, leading providers of premium foodservice solutions in the Southwest, are thrilled to announce the launch of their new brand identity and logo.

This significant milestone represents the two company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction in the rapidly evolving foodservice industry. The rebranding initiative aligns with their strategic vision to enhance its market presence and deliver exceptional value to its customers.

The new logo, a clean and modern design, features a simple outline of the Southwest UK, with the bold and familiar colours of Westcountry Foods, but with sleek new fonts. The logo symbolizes the company’s dedication to freshness, creativity, and excellence in the services they provide.

This refreshed visual identity is now prominently displayed at their newly opened 80,000 sq ft depot near Kingsteignton, where the two companies come together under one roof. This new site has been built under the strict BREEAM sustainable building certification process.

“Our new brand identity reflects our growth and the evolution of our company,” said Chris Young LLB - Divisional Operations Director at Kitwave Group PLC “We are excited to introduce a look that matches our innovative spirit and dedication to quality. This rebrand marks a new chapter for us as we continue to expand our offerings and strengthen our relationships with suppliers and customers. We look forward to this new era and the
opportunities it brings.”

Devon-based Salcombe Brewery Co. is thrilled to announce its award-winning Shingle Bay golden ale is now available to buy in select Waitrose stores across the West Country. Known for its easy drinking style and crisp bite, Shingle Bay (ABV 4.2%) has a fruity aroma of blackberry and spiced fruit.

The initial six Waitrose stores where Shingle Bay will be stocked are as follows: Exeter, Holsworthy, Okehampton, Salisbury, Saltash and Sidmouth.

Jordan Mace, Salcombe Brewery’s Managing Director, comments: “Securing a listing in Waitrose has been a longstanding ambition for us and we’re incredibly proud that Salcombe Brewery will now feature alongside the other premium brands in its portfolio. As a team here we’ve worked extremely hard to achieve this.” He continues: “We’re looking forward to introducing Shingle Bay to a new audience through this leading retailer.”

Waitrose Beer & Cider Buyer, Jourdan Gabbini added: "We are delighted to introduce Salcombe Brewery’s Shingle Bay to our South West stores. It's no secret that Devon is a region full of fantastic producers and we are proud to be able to offer Shingle Bay to our customers at Waitrose.”

This exciting development follows a flurry of awards for Salcombe Brewery Co. Island Street Porter and Pilsner both won a Silver in the taste category of the recent World Beer Awards. At the 2024 Great Taste Awards, Its Seahorse was awarded a 2-star and its Devon Amber a 1-star. Over the past two years, the brewery has received an impressive 30 medals for its diverse range of beers.  

SALSA accredited Salcombe Brewery Co. produces a range of premium cask ale and keg products at its state of the art Estuary View brewery which can be found in the Devon countryside above the world famous Salcombe Estuary.

Salcombe Brewery has joined forces with The Seahorse Trust to help conserve these amazing animals, donating 5p a bottle towards their work. This innovative brewery, which was established in 2016, is also partnered with the Devon Environment Foundation.

Explore the full range of beers at salcombebrewery.com. Salcombe Brewery Co. has introduced a new ‘Pick & Mix’ offering, with the opportunity to pick 12 or 24 cans from the Discovery range or 12 bottles from the Heritage range. The range is available on a next day delivery service.

For further information on Salcombe Brewery Co. please visit www.salcombebrewery.com or follow Salcombe Brewery Co. on X, Facebook and Instagram.  

What should businesses do? Are they affected? Read on for some key insights and advice from our Affiliate Members at Enexus Energy...

You may have seen in the news that the domestic price cap is increasing this October. This is the first major increase in price cap since recovering from the peaks of the energy crisis over the Winter of 21/22.

The first thing to know is that there is no price cap for businesses. The second thing to know is that the price cap, and domestic prices in general, take their cues from market movements 4-6 months ago. Business prices on the other hand, are much more current and move daily in line with the prevailing conditions. So anything that happens in the domestic market is 'old news' in the business energy world! 

With that in mind, let's take a look at the energy market: 

Prices hit a floor late February as the market reacted to another very mild UK winter and the resulting lower heating demand across the country. Post February we saw a steady increasing pattern throughout Q2. It is this period of rises that has resulted in the increase in price cap for domestic users that will be applied in October. 

However, prices have increased further in recent weeks, largely due to increasing tensions in the Middle East and energy assets being directly affected in the Ukrainian conflict. Businesses are already dealing with these further increases as any business looking at a new contract will see these increases reflected in their offers.

So what is the best course of action? 

Well, for domestic users, unless something significantly changes in the next month or so, it is likely that the cap will again rise in January to reflect the increases we have seen in the last few weeks. So fixing a rate before October, will likely be the best solution 

For businesses, we can never be as certain which way the market will move. The key drivers right now are the tensions in the Middle East, the Ukrainian conflict and the prospect of cold weather this winter.

The weather is uncertain of course. Another mild winter could see prices fall around the turn of the year. But, in that time, if we see an major escalation of violence in the Middle East, or significant damage to an energy asset in either Ukraine or Russia and we could see prices move very quickly. Our advice to any business with a fixed contract due to end in the next 12 months, would be consider eliminating these risks, by securing today's rates to start when your current contract ends

Clipper Teas, the Beaminster-based B Corp brand owned by Ecotone UK, has launched a special pack for food service operators that celebrates 40 years of ethical and sustainable tea production in the county. 

The Fairtrade tea brand has expanded its range  with a new design to commemorate its Dorset heritage, featuring renowned regional landmarks.

With an eye-catching design, the new box features iconic hotspots such as Durdle Door and Portland Bill. With an enveloped, string and tag format, each teabag in the 250 box is plant-based, biodegradable, and unbleached and the box is made with fully recyclable packaging.

Adam Perry, Clipper Teas Head of Out of Home at Ecotone UK, said: “This has been an eagerly anticipated launch for the whole team and one we’re immensely proud of as a Dorset-born brand. Despite operating on a global scale, we choose to remain in the county where we were founded. This is something we’re incredibly passionate about as it allows us to continue boosting the local economy. Our message as a brand is to showcase what goes into making a ‘good’ cup of tea,  our Fairtrade sourcing and B Corp certification being a true testament to this. And what better time to launch a blend that celebrates our heritage than on our 40th birthday.”

Clipper has called Dorset home since 1984 and pioneered the production of ethical and sustainable tea. From its factory in Beaminster, Clipper blends and packs an extensive variety of organic and Fairtrade teas – from everyday blends to green tea and infusions. Clipper is Fairtrade’s first and longest-standing tea partner and exports its products to over 50 countries worldwide.

The Dorset Classic Everyday pack will be available across regional food service touchpoints such as hotels and offices and supplied via Clipper’s regional foodservice wholesale partners.

In launching on Clipper’s 40th birthday, the new pack commemorates the Dorset heritage of the brand. It also gives local businesses an opportunity to stock a product which celebrates the timeless beauty of Dorset, and appeals to thirsty tourists and locals alike. 

Clipper Teas was a pioneer in being the world’s first to launch a plastic-free, non-GM, plant-based, and unbleached heat-sealed teabag to market. The brand has since invested £1m on a new production line to remove plastic packaging across larger packs.
 

Salcombe Brewery Co. is thrilled to announce that both its Island Street Porter and Pilsner have won a Silver in the recent World Beer Awards in the Taste category.

Head Brewer, Sam Beaman comments: “We’re incredibly proud to have received these awards.  It’s a testament to the hard work and passion our team puts into every brew. These accolades motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of craft beer while staying true to our roots here in Salcombe.“  

These latest achievements follow hot on the heels of Salcombe Brewery Co. being awarded a 2-star for its Seahorse and a 1-star for its Devon Amber in the 2024 Great Taste Awards. In the past two years alone, Salcombe Brewery Co. has received 30 different medals for the brewery’s range of beers.  

In the 2023 World Beer Awards, Island Street Porter won gold in the porter category and was crowned overall ‘Country Winner’ too, meaning that they judged it to be the best porter in the country.

Island Street Porter (ABV 5.9%, 12 x 330ml cans £27.50) is a carefully crafted, velvety, delicately bitter porter with just a hint of sweetness. Eight different malts combine to suggest dark chocolate, coffee and black cherry, while the aroma pleasingly suggests Black Forest gateau.

Pilsner (ABV 5.4%, 12 x 330ml cans £26) uses the finest British malt and has a delicate floral and herbal aroma, derived from the noble Czech and German hops.  The gentle malt flavour complements the bittersweet palate, culminating in a crisp, dry finish.

The World Beer Awards spotlight the very best internationally recognised beer styles, awarding and promoting the world’s best beers to consumers and trade across the globe.  The Taste categories are based upon the commonly held beer groupings which define the style and process of beer production.  This year, author and beer expert Pete Brown headed up the panel of judges for the Awards.  Pete has written more than 10 books on beer, has been nominated for UK Beer Writer four times, and has judged beer competitions all over the world.    

SALSA accredited Salcombe Brewery Co. produces a range of premium cask ale and keg products at its innovative Estuary View brewery which can be found in the Devon countryside above the world famous Salcombe Estuary.

Salcombe Brewery has joined forces with The Seahorse Trust to help conserve these amazing animals, donating 5p a bottle towards their work. This innovative brewery, which was established in 2016, is also partnered with the Devon Environment Foundation.

Explore the full range of beers at salcombebrewery.com. Salcombe Brewery Co. has recently introduced a new ‘Pick & Mix’ offering, with the opportunity to pick 12 or 24 cans from the Discovery range or 12 bottles from the Heritage range. The beers are available on a next day delivery service.

For further information on Salcombe Brewery Co. please visit www.salcombebrewery.com or follow Salcombe Brewery Co. on X, Facebook and Instagram.  

Local artisan producer Harry’s Cider has won two prestigious Great Taste Awards this year, as well as being shortlisted in the industry-leading British Farming Awards.

Both Harry’s Original Cider and Harry’s Dabinett Cider were awarded accolades at the Great Taste Awards – the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme.

Judges described the Original as having “a well rounded flavour rich with the apples used and a good smooth finish” as well as being “well balanced with the bittersweet notes and refreshing on the palate.”

Meanwhile the judges’ praise for the Dabinett included that it was “a deceptively simple, clean and clear delivery of Dabinett character. The aroma is gently fruity, the palate lightly effervescent.”  They remarked that it was “easily enjoyable” and “a cider that people will be comfortable with.”

In addition, Harry’s Cider has been shortlisted in this year’s British Farming Awards, for the Family Farming Business of the Year Award.

Organised by the industry publication Farmers Guardian, these awards celebrate pioneering farmers across all sectors who are leading in areas of technology, science, food production and sustainability. The British Farming Awards received a record-breaking number of entries and nominations this year, so to be shortlisted is a significant achievement. The awards ceremony will take place on 17th October in Birmingham.

Alison Chapman from Harry’s Cider says: “These latest awards and the shortlisting are a real boost for us all. It really is an outstanding achievement for a family-run artisan producer to be recognised at a national level – not once but twice at the best-known consumer food & drink awards and then again with our shortlisting at the agricultural industry’s British Farming Awards.

“This recognition for the hard work and commitment of our dedicated team is a great encouragement, as well as bringing a new mark of quality to our business. We strive to achieve the best in everything we do and are extremely proud of these prestigious endorsements. A good reason to celebrate!”

Harry’s Cider is produced by Harry and his son Toby on their family farm in Long Sutton, near Langport, with Alison heading up the commercial arm of the business. All the family are involved in the wider business activity, particularly at events held at the cider farm and local agricultural shows. Regular cider tours and tastings are held throughout the year at the farm, giving locals and tourists an opportunity to enjoy an orchard walk, learn about the cider-making process and sample some of their award-winning ciders. Tickets can be booked online via the Harry’s Cider website.

Taste of the West is continuously evolving as a regional food and drink business community. We regularly provide business advice, sometimes generic and strategic, and sometimes specific depending on the nature of the enquiry. We currently have a number of affiliate businesses on our books who provide specific advice back to the membership on topics such as legal issues, tax issues, technical challenges, as well as marketing and PR advice.

Chris Milton (ex Sales Director at Thatchers Cider) and John Sheaves (CEO at Taste of the West) have been working on a project to enhance the business advice offering. They are well aware that there are a number of well founded and structured businesses in the region that have been run by very experienced individuals who collectively have a vast amount of expertise to offer the rest of the sector.

They have collected these individuals together on an initial zero fee basis and called them the ‘Flying NEDs' (Non Executive Directors). The idea is that these experts, with their wealth of experience, can offer ‘arms length’ advice on strategy, how to overcome certain business challenges and how to develop growth strategies etc.

Having corralled these experts together, they now want to trial this service with a select number of businesses. So they're now looking for businesses who would be willing to be part of this initial trial.

If you are interested, please contact John so that he can make the necessary arrangements. You'll find his contact details below. This offer is open to all sizes of businesses, and they are equally keen to see some who have some experience of their own and who have been trading for some years.

Contact John Sheaves at Taste of the West: [email protected] or call 07974 660804