New Carmarthenshire vineyard – Jabajak – has joined the illustrious ranks of Wales’ burgeoning wine industry with the launch of its first wine, which has just picked up its first award too!
The launch took place during the Welsh Vineyard Association’s annual awards ceremony, which saw vineyard owners from across Wales gather at Jabajak’s Whitland-based vineyard for the competition.
It was also a day of celebration for Jabajak as their first wine received a prestigious silver award.
Jabajak Vineyard Restaurant with Rooms is the creation of the Stuart Robson family: Amanda and Julian their children Jo, Ali and Katie and grandmother Buddug.
“We are absolutely delighted,” said Amanda, “to win a silver award with our first vintage is unbelievable.”
After years of working abroad the family returned to Amanda’s West Wales home to put down roots of a different kind – vines.
They bought Banc-y-Llain Farm and re-named it Jabajak – a moniker formed from the initials of members of the family – and they set about creating a five star restaurant with rooms, and planted three acres of vines.
It has been a long process and a steep learning curve, but the October 2014 harvest proved just right and Jabajak’s first wine has become a reality.
Wine belongs to its ‘terroir’ – the land and environment on which the vines are grown gives the wine unique and distinctive flavours, something the family are keen to emphasise.
Says Amanda, “The land here is just right for growing vines as it is south facing with slate slopes. The land’s history is our ethos so our motto is ‘hiraeth – wine that belongs to its terroir’.”
First to be launched is the vineyard’s Welsh White, a carefully handpicked blend of Phoenix and Seyval grapes, which produce a delicate well balanced crisp wine with fabulous elderflower notes.
The terroir on which Jabajak’s vines grown includes a lot of slate, which gives the wine a ‘mineral’ quality and a clean crisp note.
It was been a long wait but well worth it says Amanda, “We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to produce our first wine. The process started seven years ago when we planted the vines. It is possible to produce wine in a shorter period but we wanted them to put down roots deep into the terroir and reach the right sugar levels so they would produce a superior wine.
“The feedback we have had has been excellent with people able to taste the terroir, and one even describing the aroma as being ‘like rain on a hot slate roof’.”
Welsh Blush Sparkling will follow in a few months time. A rosé produced from Phoenix and Seyval grapes it is blushed with Rondo producing hints of strawberry with a crisp dry finish. A red wine is planned to complete the range.
“We’ve now planted Pinot Noir,” says Amanda, “we want to prove it can be grown at a high level in this part of West Wales. It will be another twelve months until it’s ready but it has taken well.”
Initially Jabajak’s wine will be available in its restaurant and through cellar door tastings next spring.
The enterprise has been assisted with brand development and marketing by Cywain – a project set up to bring added value to primary produce within the agriculture sector.
Says Amanada, “Cywain has given us brilliant support, especially Lowri Edwards who co-ordinated everything and through them we have made excellent links.”
Says Lowri Edwards, Cywain’s Development Manager for South West Wales, “It’s been a pleasure to work with Jabajak over the last six months to develop a brand for the vineyard and packaging for the selection of new wines they are producing.
“It’s been really exciting to see how the vineyard has developed and great to see wines being produced locally in Carmarthenshire. We look forward to seeing the produce on the shelves shortly.”
The family have turned to the history of their home to brand their wine, choosing to use the name ‘The White House’.
It is a reference to the estate’s ancient farmhouse, which was known locally as ‘the white house’. However there are links to a much more famous building of the same name as it is believed the White House in Washington got its name from early US president and first White House occupant John Adams.
John Adams was the descendant of a tenant farmer from Llanboidy who was brought up on Banc-y-Llain Farm (now the Jabajak estate). The large whitewashed farmhouse where the owner lived stood out among the other farm dwellings and was referred by the farm workers as ‘The White House’.
While the original US President’s Washington office was not white it is documented that it was given this nickname during John Adams’ presidency and eventually changed colour.
Adds Amanda, “We therefore believe that it is utterly feasible that the familiar name ‘the White House’ simply passed down the generations as a term to describe a building where all the important decisions are made – whether about family matters, farming… or running a nation.”
Amanda Stuart Robson (left) of Jabajak Vineyard Restaurant with Rooms with Lowri Edwards, Cywain’s Development Manager for South West Wales.
More photos are available on request from sheila@colemancommunications.co.uk
For more information about Jabajak please contact:
Amanda Stuart Robson
Jabajak Vineyard Restaurant with Rooms
Banc-y-Llain
Llanboidy Road
Whitland
Carmarthenshire
SA34 0ED
01994 448786
info@jabajak.co.uk
About the Welsh Vineyard Association
Re-launched in 2013 the Welsh Vineyard Association encompasses vineyards from across Wales and currently there are 16 members.
For more details go to www.welshvineyardassociation.co.uk
The WVA has also established a Welsh Wine Trail.
Many vineyards welcome visitors for tours and tasting sessions as part of Wine Trail Wales.
For more details go to www.winetrailwales.co.uk
More than 20 different grape varieties are grown in Wales with Welsh vineyards producing around 100,000 bottles of wine each year.
The Romans and French monks are said to have introduced wine to Britain, but it was Lord Bute who is credited with planting Wales’ first commercial vineyard in 1875 at Castell Coch near Cardiff.
In recent years Welsh wine has taken centre stage at major political events, including European summits and state banquets, and is served in the House of Lords.
Welsh wines are increasingly reaping top international and world wine awards, and in 2012 Ancre Hill Estates’ 2008 vintages was voted the best sparkling wine in the world at the Bolliano de Mondo International Competition in Italy.
WELSH VINEYARD ASSOCIATION WINE COMPETITION 2015
AWARD WINNERS
CLASS 1 – Still White and Still Rosé
Whitecastle Gwin Gwyn 2014 Commended
Llanerch Cariad Dry White 2013 Silver
Tintern Parva Afon Gwy 2013 Bronze (High)
Lliathllew Solaris White 2014 Bronze
Whitecastle Gwin Gwyn 2013 Bronze
Llanerch Cariad Medium Dry White 2013 Gold
Tintern Parva Bacchus 2014 Bronze
Jabajak The Whitehouse 2014 Silver
Pant Du Gwin Gwyn 2014 Bronze
Tintern Parva Bacchus 2013 Gold
Ancre Hill Chardonnay 2013 Gold
Tintern Parva Afon Gwy 2014 Commended
Whitecastle Rosé 2013 Silver
Lliathllew Orian / Regent Rosé 2014 Silver (High)
Ancre Hill Rosé 2013 Silver
Pant Du Gwyn Rhosliw 2012 Silver
Sugarloaf Blush 2014 Bronze
Tintern Parva Bwthyn Rosé 2013 Silver
CLASS 2 – Red Wine
Ancre Hill Pinot Noir 2013 Silver
Pant Du Gwin Coch 2014 Bronze
Kerryvale red Denarii 2013 Bronze
CLASS 3 – Sparkling White and Sparkling Rosé
Ancre Hill Pinot Noir / Seyval Blanc 2008 Silver (High)
Tintern Parva Diathliad 2013 Silver
Llanerch Cariad Sparkling Brut 2012 Silver
Ancre Hill Varrel Fermented 2009 Gold
Tintern Parva Diathliad Rosé 2013 Bronze
About Cywain
Cywain was set up by Menter a Busnes to bring added value to primary produce within the agriculture sector. The project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
About Menter a Busnes
Menter a Busnes was established in 1989. With headquarters in Aberystwyth it specializes in supporting new businesses, business growth, agriculture, skills development and food and drink sectors throughout Wales. It manages a number of programmes on behalf of the Welsh Government including Farming Connect and Cywain.
For more information about Cywain please contact:
Myrddin Davies
Cywain Manager
01745 770273 / 07964 354674
myrddin.davies@menterabusnes.co.uk
Or,
Lowri Edwards
07814 238464
lowri.edwards@menterabusnes.co.uk