AFTER nearly 35 years, Court Lane Vineyard has ceased commercial production.

It was in 1983 that Stephen Flook took over the Ropley vineyard, which had first been planted in the mid-70s.

Steve was one of the pioneers of English wine production (not be confused with British wine which designates wine made in England from grapes that have been imported from anywhere in the world).

The first commercial English vineyard of modern times was planted by Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones at Hambledon in Hampshire in 1952.

English vineyards at this time were planted with mostly Germanic varieties of grape, as was Court Lane Vineyard, namely Müller Thurgau, Seyval Blanc, Reichensteiner and Huxelrebe. There were only a handful of wineries at the time.

Thanks to the efforts and dedication of these early winemakers, English wine has come a long way in the last 20 years, particularly in the production of sparkling wine.

When Steve retired from his ‘day job’ at Aldermaston in 1992, he built his own winery (he actually admitted that he started designing the building while still in the office) and started making Ropley Wine. Previously, the picked grapes went to Wickham Vineyard to be vinified.

Picking was a major operation and every year, aided by around 20 friends and neighbours, the harvest would be undertaken in October. Court Lane Vineyard was a hive of industry and, once the picking was done, we would all gather round the large kitchen table for a harvest lunch, organised by Jill, Steve’s wife, and washed down by a glass or two of vineyard wine. We were dirty and tired, but well satisfied with our efforts (a lot of villagers will remember it well).

Wine production always has its enemies – rabbits, deer and wasps, not to mention the vagaries of the English weather like frost in May! In addition, in late summer, there was always a risk of mildew which could ruin a crop.

Bottling was another annual event. The team comprised Pippa Collingwood and David Ottley (sterilizing the bottles), Jill (filling the bottles - we called the wonderful filling machine The Cow), Annie Beal (corking - with the aid of Big Bertha), Wyn Ottley (weights and measures), Ron Beal (cellarman), and Steve himself overseeing the operations. On average, Steve produced nearly 2,000 bottles each year.

Steve always took part in local county events and was a regular participant at the Alresford Show. He and Jill also hosted tours and tastings at the vineyard.

Every July, in London, there was a special lunch and tasting of the award-winning wines of the English Wine Association, hosted by Association president Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. The event was held in the Cholmondeley Room in the House of Lords, accessed via the Black Rod’s garden entrance. After the death of Lord Montagu, the lunch moved to the House of Commons.

Steve was very much involved with these events and used to be the coordinator for the qualifying wines of the Wessex wine region, receiving all the sample bottles at the vineyard and taking them up to Parliament House for this prestigious event. Court Lane Vineyard won several awards and commendations for its wines over the years.

Last year marked the end of an era for Ropley wine as Steve and Jill celebrated 60 years of marriage earlier in the year and we wish them both well and lots of happy memories of Court Lane Vineyard.

Court Lane Vineyard Ropley

The end of an era.

A personal account by friend and neighbour Annie Beal