Wicklow Naturally is a coming-together of food and drink producers throughout the county. As well as promoting their various products, many operate tours and visits, a pleasant way to spend an afternoon with friends, as well as being a great idea for corporate Christmas entertainment. I recently visited three drinks producers from Wicklow Naturally.
The first stop was Wicklow Way Wines in Newtownmountkennedy, a producer I have featured before. The wines here are made from 100 per cent Irish fruit, without the addition of water or juice, as is often the case. Winemaker Brett Stephenson gave us an in-depth tour, followed by a tasting with fruit wine and food matching. The wines here have really improved since they first opened their doors and taste great with our without food. wicklowwaywines.ie.
Wicklow Wolf is one of the larger Irish craft breweries. Founded in 2014, it now has an impressive brewery and visitor facility a short walk from Wicklow Way Wines. Here Quincey Fennelly led us through the brewing process before we tasted a range of their beers, including the excellent gluten-free lager Arcadia. They also make Moonlight, one of the best alcohol-free ales, as well as a range of great "real" beers. wicklowwolf.com.
Fercullen whiskey is produced in an impressive modern distillery built into the old mill in Powerscourt Gardens in Enniskerry. While they wait for their own spirits to mature, master distiller Noel Sweeney blends various whiskeys he once made at Cooley Distillery. There are distillery tours and a food and whiskey pairing devised by Santina Kennedy. See powerscourtdistillery.com.
