Landmark Issue 19 2021 SINGLE PAGES

40 LANDMARK ENTERPRISE As January fog settles over our scenic vineyard situated in the wintry, yet beautiful Cotswold landscape, it's the perfect time to reflect over the past year and enjoy the fruits of our labour. There have beenmany successes since the starting of theCotswold Hills project in 2016 when we took the tenancy of our 2.6-hectare vineyard. In the past four years Cotswold Hills has been able to create a finely crafted array of award-winning wines and products all based on our core belief of sustainability, while also allowing students of the university to gain a range of experiences and opportunities within the wine industry. The grape varieties grown at our vineyard in Down Ampney include Ortega, Bacchus, Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc. These grapes are then carefully handpicked before being transported to the winemaker, and alumnus of the RAU, Martin Fowke (1984) at the Three Choirs in Newent, Gloucestershire, where our wines are then produced. From blends of our grape varieties, we have created a range of relished and award-winning products including our wonderfully zesty dry white wine which has been referred to as a “fruity, dry white wine with aromas of peach and country hedgerows”. This white wine is now available as a canned bubbly alternative, offering a refreshingly fizzing white wine with slight and subtle notes of apple. A new addition to our Cotswold Hills repertoire is an exquisitely crafted still rosé fromour Rondo and Oretga grapes which offers summer notes in every sip. Our award-winning wines are now stocked in over 120 outlets, including 87Mid-Counties Co-Op stores across five counties. Nicky Wildin, Buyer at Mid- Counties Co-Op states, “We’re proud to showcase new food and drink entrepreneurs across our region - especially young people - which is why Cotswold Hills was such a good fit for us.” He adds, “The branding and the name define the uniqueness of the brand, culminating in an eye-catching and memorable label. The taste is extremely well balanced, delicious chilled, and a perfect accompaniment to a Christmas dinner”. You can purchase Cotswold Hills by the case online via: www.cotswoldhills.org.uk Cotswold Hills: A blossoming reputation