Bacchus ... blended not stirred 007
Fran Bridgewater FCIM - Chartered Marketer
Independent wine writer, wordsmith & brand strategist | Libération Tardive Foundation | 32 vintages nurturing the success of iconic wineries | Andes Wines European Editor | wine, spirits & gourmet food judge
It all felt rather ‘James Bond’ at Buckinghamshire’s new CHAFOR Wine Estate, during a recent visit by the Aston Martin Owners Club.
Defiant of the forecast of ‘occasional light showers’, which is never popular among the vintage car fraternity, Aston Martins from all eras were cheek by jowl at the Buckinghamshire family-run vineyard for the Aston Martin Owners Club Area 15 Summer Meet.
The club members enjoyed a full tour and range tasting followed by a barbeque on the terrace with a talk on the key aspects of wine growing ‘Through The Vineyard Year’ by Tim Chafor himself, proprietor and wine grower at the fledgling estate which is already sporting a string of medals from the IWC, UKVA and the Thames & Chilterns Vineyards Association in just its second year of production. CHAFOR also consistently features as a Top Influencer in the Sparkling Wines of the World social media leaderboard #SWW200 run by Glass of Bubbly.
Set in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, on the northernmost tip of the sought-after Kimmeridgian, the first vines were planted on the 23 acre estate in 2003. Mmultiple award-winning Emma Rice makes the sparkling wines.
Featuring a new split-level tasting room with mezzanine art gallery, designed and hand built by Tim himself, the boutique estate is rapidly becoming a must-see local visitor attraction, conveniently situated between Bicester’s chic shopping village and the F1 race circuit at Silverstone. Tim also offers guided tours and French-style tastings from the cellar door. “Appointments are not always necessary” says the former IT services supremo “… as I’m out in all weathers and I leave my mobile number on a slate at the gates, so visitors are always welcome to come and join me up in the vineyard”. Special events include the popular Pizza Night featuring Tim’s hand built wood-fired pizza oven, delicately enhanced with the estate’s vine clippings.
by Fran Bridgewater (founder of Drinks Network)
(Source: https://www.glassofbubbly.com/aston-martins-in-the-vineyard-at-chafor-wine-estate/ and first published in UK Vine magazine in August 2015 _ photography credit @DavidBlaauwPhotography, Buckinghamshire)