WITH more summers like 2018 the Aeron Valley might eventually rival the Napa Valley – the celebrated wine-growing region of California!

That is the upbeat prediction of the Aberaeron vineyard which recently won a Welsh Vineyards Association award for the best wine in Wales.

Llaethliw Vineyard was one of only two entrants to receive gold standards in the White Wine category out of the 44 wines which were entered.

“It was an extremely rewarding feeling to win gold for the white wine, but receiving the accolade of the best Welsh wine for 2018 has to be the pinnacle of Llaethliw to this date,” vineyard manager Jac Evans told the Cambrian News.

“To be honest, the 2017 vintage wasn’t the best start for Llaethliw as we suffered late spring frost which damaged our primary buds.

“Luckily, secondary shoots grew but normally they bear less fruit which in a way was beneficial to us, as with less crop the vine energy was channelled to a select few bunches, which provided a very high quality crop.

“The grapes were remarkably clean with no disease or pest damage and they were very high in sugar with balanced acidity.

“During the grape juice analysis we were very impressed with the figures and hopeful that it might create a great wine.”

Jac – whose parents Richard and Siw bought Llaethliw in 2008 - attended the awards dinner at Llanerch Vineyard near Cardiff along with his girlfriend Charley Miller, who over the years has also taken over the role of taster at Llaethliw.

“Therefore, in all honesty I should credit the gold award to her,” he added.

“In 2014 I attended the same awards dinner with my parents where we won bronze for our Solaris white wine – our first Welsh award.

“I remember turning to my parents and saying: ‘It must be an amazing feeling to win gold and know that you have the best wine in Wales’ - and to think that four years later we’d be taking that trophy home!

“This year’s summer was Llaethliw’s best-ever production and despite a late spring frost again and hail storm damage the vineyard produced quality grapes which will hopefully make more award-winning wine.

“The future of Llaethliw and Welsh wine looks promising!”