PRESS RELEASE

27th July 2007

ROYAL VISIT: A first for Leventhorpe - a first for English Wine!

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent became one of the first members of the Royal Family to visit an English vineyard when he visited Leventhorpe Vineyard in Leeds, owned by George and Janet Bowden.  The visit, which took place on 24th July 2007,   was arranged by the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy in connection with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.  The Lord Lieutenant, Dr Ingrid Roscoe and and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun the Reverend Alan Taylor were in attendance.

It was a warm sunny day, and the Duke spent some time in the vineyard inspecting the vines accompanied by George Bowden.  It was the first time he had visited an English vineyard and he asked a variety of searching questions and showed a genuine keen interest in English/Yorkshire wine.

To broaden the scope and interest of the visit local food producers, a farm shop, valued customers, the local secretary of the NFU and a couple of vineyard helpers and their wives had been invited.  *

The Duke sampled Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine which met with royal approval and received a compliment on the quality.  As a memento of his visit the Duke was presented with a presentation box of Leventhorpe wines and a copy of ‘The Vineyards of England & Wales Guide’ published by the Wine Guild.

It was a successful visit, enjoyed by all concerned, and pleasing that our visitor was “astonished” by the quality of Yorkshire wine.

*Local food producers:

Cryer & Stott  Cheesemonger, Pontefract, Wakefield & Castleford Markets.  Richard Holmes displayed  his special pork pie created last year in memory of his father made with Wensleydale cheese and apple sauce, and Yorkshire cheeses, especially his Ruby Gold a ewe’s milk cheese containing a compote of rhubarb from Oldroyd’s forced rhubarb sheds nearby.  The Duke had visited Oldroyd’s a couple of years ago and appreciated the connection.

Bob & Heather Copley from Farmer Copley’s Farm Shop, Pontefract Road, Purston, Pontefract, display their pork pies, especially the one created for the Liquorice Festival at Pontefract.

Restaurants:

Susan Woodward from Cloisters Restaurant, Swillington,  who was Leventhorpe’s longest established customer and  Nick Julian from ‘Leeds Seventeen’ Restaurant in Leeds, our latest restaurant customer.

Leeds & Wakefield NFU Secretary – Tony Bowey – representing farmers in the area.

Further information is available from George and Janet Bowden, Leventhorpe Vineyard, tel: 0113 288 9088 or email janet@leventhorpevineyard.freeserve.co.uk