WHEN one thinks of the phrase “wine country”, a few names might pop to mind.

Bordeaux, Tuscany, California - all names that roll just as easily off the tongue as a good red does.

But what some people might be unaware of, is that Wales has its own Napa Valley hidden in its south-eastern corner.

Monmouthshire, and in particular parts of the Wye Valley, is home to a string of award-winning vineyards that have a huge stake in the Welsh wine industry.

According to the co-owner of Abergavenny’s White Castle Vineyard, Robb Merchant, the area alone produces up to 40,000 bottles a year - this equates to around a third of all wine produces in Wales.

“There are around 100,000 bottles produced Wales-wide a year and Monmouthshire is at the top of that pile, followed by the Vale of Glamorgan,” said Mr Merchant, who got into the industry with wife Nicola when they purchased a south-facing field in Abergavenny in 2008.

Mr Merchant is predicting that the number of bottles produces in Wales will double by 2020, with Monmouthshire’s unique geology apparently helping in such efforts.

He said: “I think Monmouthshire as a whole benefits from the Usk and Wye Valley having its own micro climate.

“We tend to get a bit different weather to the rest of the area by a couple of degrees.”

The first vines at White Castle Vineyards were planted in 2009 and since officially opening in 2012, White Castle have picked up countless awards - including a bronze at this year’s UK Wine Awards for their 2014 sparkling wine.

“We were both chuffed about that,” Mr Merchant added.

A former Royal Mail employee of 30 years, Mr Merchant said it had been a dream of his wife’s to open a vineyard and they have yet to look back since.

“I think it’s the most rewarding job you can have,” he said.

“You spend time nurturing the vines and then you go to restaurants and see people drinking your wines.”

Mr Merchant describes keeping a vineyard as a social pursuit, with vineyards across the UK regularly holding guided tours around the grounds along with taste tests.

But he conceded that it was also an expensive pursuit, with an acre costing upwards of £15,000 depending on where you look.

Along with his duties on the vineyard, Mr Merchant also serves as the chairman of the Welsh Vineyard Association (WVA), a collection of 12 award-winning vineyards from across the country.

Within the Monmouthshire contingent, there are four vineyards including White Castle. Fellow Abergavenny business Sugar Loaf Vineyards which is owned by Louise Ryan and Simon Bloor enjoyed success at last year’s Monmouthshire Business Awards, where they won the Best Small Business prize.

All four of the WVA-registered Monmouthshire vineyards, including White Castle, picked up awards at the organisation’s annual wine competition.

The competition, held in the Vale of Glamorgan, saw 42 wines entered by nine vineyards ranging from north to south Wales.

Awards were split into five classes, with ten bronze and five silver awards made especially for the national competition.

White Castle had two entries in the red wine category, earning a bronze award as well as the Three Choirs Salver for its Pinot Noir Précoce 2014.

Monmouth’s Ancre Hill vineyard earned a bronze for its Blanc de Blancs 2009 in the sparkling white wine category.

And Parva Farm in Tintern, Wales’ oldest vineyard, scooped four awards overall in the October contest.

Husband and wife duo Colin and Judith Dudley have been making wine at the vineyard for more than 20 years and have seen the wine-making landscape in Wales change “out of all recognition”.

“When we first started we used to have a lot of people saying ‘oh, we didn’t know that you could get wine in Wales’, and that was quite normal,” said Mrs Dudley.

“I think a lot of people don’t realise how much effort goes into a bottle of wine, it’s really hard work, and now people are generally more curious about the process.

“Whether it’s meat or wine from the supermarket, people really want to know where their produce comes from these days.”

But can a group of vineyards in close proximity to one another and all vying for awards, get along?

“Absolutely, it’s so nice to be a part of the WVA,” said Mrs Dudley.

“It allows us to speak to other vineyard owners if we’re having any problems or to help each other.

“The industry has really taken off here, and it’s great to be a part of that.”