History

In 1990 one and a half acres of vines were planted on a portion of the land in Boxted known as Carter’s Farm. The farm had been purchased by Mary Mudd the previous year with the intention of planting new woodlands, wild flower meadows and creating lakes with other specific habitats for wildlife.

The area behind the old farm buildings was very impoverished soil, light loam over sand and gravel. The land sloped gently to the south and it was suggested that it would be suitable for vines. After a short course in Viticulture at Writtle College, seven different varieties of vines were chosen. After three years, the vines produced their first grapes and the 1993 harvest was transported to nearby Gifford Hall Vineyard, to be made into Carter’s Vineyards first vintage. The area of planted vines was increased to five acres and a trial was started with some red varieties.

In 1995 on VE day, Victory in Europe, Carter’s Vineyards was asked to sell its products at a European Food and Wine Fair in Colchester’s Culver Square. Thus the first bottles of Carter’s Vineyards Colchester wine were sold. A year’s study at Plumpton College in Sussex produced a winemaking qualification, so in 1995 winemaking began at Carter’s Vineyards. Time has moved on and the production is now in the order of 25,000 bottles per year. The vineyard has increased to seven acres and grapes are bought in from nearby vineyards. Carter’s Vineyards also makes wine for about ten other growers in the region. The wine sells in outlets in Colchester and wins awards in local and national wine competitions and the vineyard itself is one of Colchester’s tourist venues.