07 January 2007

The Hambleden, Henley based Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery of Old Luxters Vineyard has been awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, to take effect on the first of January 2007. This is the first such award granted to a micro Brewery let alone an English Vineyard and Winery.

This honour, which has been described as the 'Peerage for trade' is awarded to only a few dozen businesses each year that have supplied the Royal Household goods or services on a regular basis for no less than five succeeding years.

The Royal Warrant itself will describe Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery as "Brewers to Her Majesty" as this most closely describes the nature of their business with the Royal Household.

David Ealand started Chiltern Valley Vineyard and Winery in 1980 at Old Luxters farmhouse, then a mixed arable & pig farm in the Hambleden valley. The business was a success from the start and their wines gained many National & international awards and soon sold throughout the UK and abroad.

In 1990 David expanded to set up Old Luxters Farm Brewery in the old farm buildings at Luxters. This 'Micro' Brewery specializes in the production of Traditional English 'full mash real ales' sold in cask at the cellar shop, and more widely in bottle.
This very special process of fermentation/brewing in each individual bottle is similar to that used in the production of Champagne. Following the launch of their premium, Bottle conditioned BARN ALE 5.4% Abv, the brewery was in demand for specially designed own label Bottle conditioned ales which they created for themselves, several breweries throughout the UK and in the last decade for non brewers including Fortnum & Mason and more recently, the Royal Farm shop in Windsor.

"Of course we are all thrilled and honoured to become 'By appointment', said Head brewer, Frank Bloss who joined the brewery in April 1991."All the more so when we are the first Micro brewery to be so honoured".

The first rewards for tradesmen & women who served their Sovereign came in the form of Royal Charters, which were granted, to the trade guilds, later known as livery companies. Henry II granted the earliest recorded Royal Charter to the Weavers' Company in 1155. By the 15th century Royal tradesmen were recognised by means of a Royal Warrant of Appointment - a practice that continues to this day. An early
recipient was William Caxton, the first English printer, who was appointed King's printer in 1476 after setting up his press at Westminster.

ENDS

For further info please contact David Ealand on 01491 638 330 at the winery
or Colonel Christopher Pickup, OBE. Secretary, The Royal Warrant Holders
Association, No 1 Buckingham Place London SW1E 6HR Tel 020 7828 2268