Barclay brothers to plant vines on Sark

The Barclay brothers, owners of The Ritz hotel in London as well as The Daily Telegraph newspaper, have hired the help of Pomerol’s Alain Raynaud to plant a vineyard on Sark, one of Britain’s Channel Islands.

The billionaire identical twins, Sir David and Sir Frederick, have earmarked five hectares for Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Gris to make still and sparkling white wine.

Planting of 40,000 vines is planned for April this year and by 2013 the brothers hope to produce their first 17,000 bottles of wine. They are investing £450,000 in the project to help Sark develop as a tourist destination.

Raynard, who is the owner of Château La Croix de Gay in Pomerol, believes there is great potential for the production of quality white wines on the island and has already completed soil and climatic studies.

Speaking to The Times newspaper, Raynaud said, “This is not a crazy project and it is one we are taking very seriously. The only adverse situation is the wind, which will disturb the young vines, but I am convinced that we can protect them with trellising.”

The 75-year-old reclusive brothers own the neighbouring island of Brecqhou, as well as three hotels and land on Sark that is rented to local farmers.

Their main market for the wine will be the 40,000 tourists who visit Sark each year.

Patrick Schmitt, 14.01.2010