The thriving and award-winning Yorkshire Heart Vineyard and Brewery at Nun Monkton is to plant 4,000 more vines over 4 acres, bringing the grand total to 29,000 vines over 20 acres.
The expansion was revealed at a business networking meeting staged by the York Press and York St John University that took place at the university.
Managing director Tim Spakouskas told the 100 or so present that the vineyard was created by his mum Gillian, the chief winemaker, who initially planted 35 vines in her back garden as she had fallen in love with the idea of growing grapes.
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Her passion led to an acre being planted with 1500 vines in 2006, launching the vineyard as a business.
By 2010, this had grown to 7 acres, with a brewery added in 2011.
Tim was initially head brewer, responsible for the brewery’s seven core ales and seasonal specials. This business was launched to generate a cash flow, which helped when there are poor harvests.
In 2023, the head brewer became Nick Webster, formerly of the York Brewery.
Today, there are 16 acres of vines containing 25,000 vines and in the Spring a further 4,000-5,000 will be planted over 4 acres.
Tim Spakouskas (Image: NQ)
The business is now being helped by Tim’s son Henry who has been studying winemaking at college.
Tim said: “He’s learnt the proper way.”
The vineyard will contain many hybrid vines, which are more suited to the cooler, wetter climate, but the extension will include well-known varieties like Merlot.
Tim told the meeting he planned to keep growing the vineyard, which also offers tours, tastings, café, music festivals and a wine festival.
At present, the vineyard calls in volunteers to help harvest the grapes in October, but at some point it will have to consider machine harvesting, which is already happening at the larger vineyards of southern England.
However, production can fluctuate due to the weather. The ‘nice summer’ of 2022 produced 45,000 bottles but the wet summer of 2024 produced just 15,000 bottles.
Alas, the wet Yorkshire climate is not good for growing hops, as it is susceptible to mildew, though Tim says he would like to grow 2a few hops” one day/
Most of the wine is sold on the vineyard through its shop and café. But Yorkshire Heart also wells its wine and beers at local farm shops, specialist beer and wine retailers, as well as online.
Tim added: “Hopefully, we will keep growing and do what we do. My parents are in their seventies. Henry will eventually take over. We are trying to pass on to the next generation.”
The business won the York Press Family Business award of the year for 2024.
The networking meeting also included Zoe Billings of the Adapt and Evolve consultancy (see tomorrow’s paper).
The next such event is on Thursday April 29.
