MEET THE NEW IRISH WINE MAKERS ASSOCIATION

Thinking back over our recent Irish Food & Hospitality Awards every participant is very special and the highlights are too many to mention in one bite, but the Natural Food Awards collection of producers is always key to everything, and they provide the delicious foundation of the gala lunch.

This year we had not only an great array in our regular food categories – McNally Family Farm, Co Dublin (Food Tourism Experience of the Year); Wild Irish Game, Co Wicklow; Glenisk Organic, Co Offaly; Native Irish Honey Bee Society; Clarke's Fresh Fruit, Co Meath – and a terrific craft brewery, Irish Wolf, but, for the first time, all of the drinks for the welcome reception and to accompany the meal were supplied by Irish producers. And it made for a very exciting occasion, especially as the wine producers not only sponsored the wines that guests enjoyed on the day, but they also launched their new Irish Winemakers Association (IWA) at the awards.

The driving force behind the association is David Dennison of Viking Irish Drinks just outside Waterford and it’s still in the making. The newly formed group aims to include both established and new wine growers on the island of Ireland, and – importantly - members are asked to sign a charter of honesty to use only Irish grown grapes, and the non-use of imported wines / must and concentrates. Associate member will also be allowed, however, without voting rights.

David Dennison explains: “The aim of the association is to protect both the grower and consumers, while also aiming to create and adopt a working paper within the EU legislation for IWA. This will be achieved using a structured framework and the association, although young, has gained momentum with many potential new members and will grow year on year as individual growers become established - it should be noted that for an Irish vineyard to start been productive the process can take between three and five years to produce quality fruit for wine making.”

The IWA database shows 41 growers on the island of Ireland; a good number - including well-known names like David Dennison himself, David Llewellyn (Lusca Vineyard, Co Dublin) and Arnauf Clopin (Fáda at La Kav Vineyard, Co Wexford) are growing for many years, with others between one and three years. The vineyards take in many counties including Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford, East and West Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Mayo, Down, Westmeath, Meath, Carlow.

Organic Viticulture: Although this not a precedent of the association membership requirement, it is hoped that Irish wine growers will look to the possibility of converting to Organic status and DAFM organic grants are available. Ireland is a designated wine producing country in the EU and - while it should be noted that Ireland is one of the lowest in the EU for organic farming and horticulture – the opportunity exists for Ireland IWA members to become EU leaders for the Viticulture in this field, so there is great potential for the group.

GEORGINA CAMBELL IRISH FOOD & HOPSPITALITY AWARDS 22/09/2026

RECEPTION SPONSORED BY IWA

• DENNISON FARM LTD T/A Viking Irish Drinks - Certified Organic
1. NÁDÚRTHA red 2025 - Petillant natural, aged on lees for 10 months 9% abv
2. VEDRAFJORDR 2023 – Method tradition keeve cider, aged on lees for 18 months 5.8% abv
3. SPARKLING FRESH APPLE JUICE - fresh pressed sweet and cider apples

• LUSCA- David Llewellyn Orchards & Winery
LUSCA - Sparkling rose -Cabernet sauvignon/ Merlot, Cuvée 2019/2021, aged for 42 months on lees, 5gr/l dosage-Salmon pink in colour, Strawberries on the nose, summer berries on the pallet, with perfect balanced acidity

• FÁDA WEXFORD WINE from Domaine Kavanagh, based in Gorey, Co. Wexford. Vintage 2025
An organic dry white wine blending 4 grape varieties: Muscaris, Sauvignac, Souvignier Gris and Solaris.
Vinified by Arnaud CLOPIN, the Wexford Winemaker

LUNCHEON WINES (main course Wild Wicklow Venison, see menu)
• DENNISON FARM LTD -T/A Viking Irish drinks- Certified Organic
CAORA FÍNIÚNA - Reserve red, 2023 , Rondo /Regent – Soft berry fruit , aged in Burgundian oak for 14 months 11.5% abv

• LUSCA - David Llewellyn- Orchards & Winery
LUSCA – Rondo 2021 - 100% Rondo, aged in American oak barrels for 24 months. Deep black cherry nose, rich dark fruit character, on the pallet, soft tannins, black cherries & blackberries, soft plummy finish.

• FÁDA WEXFORD WINE from Domaine Kavanagh, based in Gorey, Co.Wexford. Vintage 2025
An organic dry white wine blending 4 grape varieties : Muscaris, Sauvignac, Souvignier Gris and Solaris.
Vinified by Arnaud CLOPIN, the Wexford Winemaker