Annual competition

Our first wine competition was held in 1987, when the organisation was known as the ‘Central Southern Vineyard Association’ and included Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and part of Surrey. When the vineyards of these counties left to form the Thames & Chilterns Association, the new name of Wessex was created.

It has always been an open competition without a base standard, in order to encourage all members, whatever their vineyard size - to submit wines and accept criticism. The event has travelled the length and breadth of the Wessex region over the years.

Many of the trophy winners from the early years are no longer working vineyards or are in new ownership. Some notable entries on the original trophy that are still working are a'Becketts, Priors Dean and Nutborne (a guest from nearby West Sussex).

The current Competion has grown, and accepted a sponsorship from the Pig Hotel Group who now host the event which is judged by a panel of highly respected members of the UK wine trade.

More trophies have been introduced alongside the main one - now called, ‘The Pig Wessex Wine of the Year’ and held at present by The Grange for their 2016 Classic Cuvée Magnum.