What happens when almost 30 years at Royal Mail leads to an entirely unexpected second career producing award-winning Welsh wine?
Glen Palmer is joined by Robb Merchant, co-owner of White Castle Vineyard, for the remarkable story of how Robb and his wife Nicola transformed their dream into an award-winning vineyard.
They explore the realities behind the romantic image of winemaking — from planting 4,000 vines and working around a full-time career to battling frost, understanding microclimates, experimenting with Cabernet Franc and eventually producing an internationally recognised Welsh red.
Robb also explains why provenance, integrity and quality sit at the heart of White Castle Vineyard and why customer relationships are every bit as important as the wine itself. Glen Palmer and Robb MerchantPerhaps the most powerful moment comes towards the end when Glen asks Robb what a life well lived would look like.
His answer? He feels he's already living it. Glen Palmer and Robb Merchant
In this episode:
\- From Royal Mail to vineyard owner
\- Starting White Castle Vineyard
\- Growing wine grapes in Wales
\- Climate, frost and agricultural risk
\- Cabernet Franc and experimentation
\- Building an award-winning wine brand
\- Wine vs whisky
\- Oak barrels and flavour
\- Entrepreneurship later in life
\- Family, legacy and a life well lived
🔗 White Castle Vineyard
https://whitecastlevineyard.com/
🔗 Robb Merchant
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robb-merchant/
🔗 Connect with Glen Palmer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-palmer-csmp-tapa-tsr1-fsr-a-iosh-57770142/
🔗 Whisky Wealth Warrior
https://www.youtube.com/@WhiskyWealthWarrior
#WelshWine #WhiteCastleVineyard #WinePodcast #RobbMerchant #BritishWine #Winemaking #WhiskyWealthWarrior #Entrepreneurship
