Landsker secures £190,000 for Welsh Winery

At Landsker Business Solutions, we’re passionate about supporting local businesses as they reach new heights. We’re thrilled to have helped Robb and Nicola Merchant, owners of White Castle Vineyard in Abergavenny, secure £190,000 in funding—a blend of loan and grant—to build an on-site processing plant. This cutting-edge facility, one of only three in Wales, enables White Castle to process grapes from their 13,500 vines right on the property, reducing carbon footprint and ensuring sustainable production for years to come.

Robb and Nicola’s vineyard is known for its diverse selection of wines, including sparkling white and rosé, still white and rosé, several reds, and a unique fortified wine reminiscent of Port. Their wines have earned numerous accolades, including Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 and most recently Gold at the Wine GB annual competition in 2023 for their White Castle Pinot Noir Précoce Reserve 2021. The new processing plant not only adds capacity but also ensures the quality and environmental sustainability that White Castle is known for.

Robb reflected on the experience, saying, “Working with Landsker and, in particular, Business Consultant Wayne Evans has been a pleasure. Wayne created a thorough business plan and worked diligently to secure the funding, ensuring we could proceed with this essential phase of our business. Landsker has been responsive, professional, and truly dedicated to our success.”

Robb added, “I was very impressed with the time both Jeremy Bowen Rees, Landsker’s Founder and Managing Director, and Wayne took to understand the intricacies of running a vineyard. They went above and beyond to comprehend the importance of this expansion. I’m thrilled to say that our first grapes were processed in the new plant just last week, marking an exciting new chapter for White Castle. I would highly recommend anyone seeking business advice to contact Landsker—they might just be the catalyst for their growth, too.”

Wayne Evans, Landsker Business Consultant, noted, “One of the joys of working for Landsker is the chance to collaborate with a diverse range of clients. Robb and Nicola had already built an exceptional business, and it was wonderful to play a part in their journey by helping them achieve their next goal with the processing plant.”

White Castle Vineyard’s long-standing relationship with Landsker began in 2009, when Robb and Nicola first connected with Jeremy through a Welsh Government grant scheme. Over the years, Landsker has supported White Castle at key stages, and it’s been a privilege to witness their growth. Today, Robb and Nicola’s vineyard is not only an award-winning success but also a model of sustainable, Welsh winemaking.