County winemaker lands a contract with Waitrose (From Bicester Advertiser)

County winemaker lands a contract with Waitrose

6:50am Thursday 12th November 2009

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I am delighted to hear that South Oxfordshire vineyard owner, Phil Rossi, is celebrating becoming the first John Lewis employee to win a contract to sell his wine to sister company, Waitrose. Phil, who owns Oaken Grove vineyards in Fawley, and planted his first vine at the age of eight, will see his Oaken Grove Dry White on the shelves of Waitrose food shops in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. His first job whilst at college was working part-time in the wine department at Waitrose Henley-on-Thames, one of the shops in which his wine will be sold. After graduating, he joined John Lewis, and 14 years on, his day job is still within the John Lewis Partnership, as a space planning manager at the head office in London. Working full time means that Phil can only spend weekends at the vineyard. His family acquired the land, which used to be an apple and pear orchard, in 1985 in the small hamlet near Henley. Aged 16, Phil went to study viticulture in Tasmania, and on his return, put into practice all he had learned to begin producing great quality wine. Phil contacted Waitrose English Wine Buyer, Ken McKay, Master of Wine, about listing his products. Phil said: “Historically we’ve only ever sold our wine through a few local pubs and visitors to the vineyard. It’s fantastic for our first retailer to be one with such a prestigious wine reputation as Waitrose and it gives me a great sense of pride to think that my wine is now available on their shelves. “Successfully juggling both jobs is a challenge, and I’m continually having to make sure I’m efficient with my time. But I’m very lucky — running Oaken Grove is my passion, so I’m more than happy to spend the weekend there. It’s a great way to balance office life with the great outdoors.”

I tasted the 2005 vintage (a refreshing 11.5 per cent) and shared it with a couple of friends and there was unanimous agreement that it was lively, refreshing and had — as one described it — “a really nice floral character”.

It is on promotion at www.waitrosewine.com where you can buy a case of 12 for £80.88 (a 25 per cent discount).

• Almost too late, I picked up on the news that Morrisons supermarkets are supporting The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal by donating £1 for every bottle of the Tagus Creek wines they sell until November 15.

That means you have until Sunday to do your bit for the Poppy Appeal by nipping to Morrisons (Banbury, Aylesbury and Swindon all have stores). The wines are very good and you can choose from white, rosé or red.

Prices start from £5.59.

Click here for The Oxford Times Wine Club offers.

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