Decanter World Wine AwardsBarclays' Sark vines vandalised
- Tuesday 6 November 2012
Sark, infested: Sir David (left) and Sir Frederick Barclay
According to initial press reports, the perpetrators sabotaged at least 40,000 of the brother's 100,000-strong vine stock by cutting the wires that supported the young vines.
The attack occurred early Saturday (3 November) morning, just hours before an official resident protest took place against the twins’ plan to convert 36 of the 74 hectares of land they own on Sark into vineyards.
Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, owners of the Daily Telegraph and London’s Ritz hotel, and on the point of closing a deal to take over the Savoy Group, the owner of Claridge’s, planted some 11ha of vineyards on Sark in 2009, as well as planting a small plot on the Island of Brecqhou, where they live.
Residents, and Sark’s Agriculture and Environment Committee, are embroiled in a bitter dispute with the Barclays, claiming the twins are attempting a corporate takeover of the semi-autonomous island. They already own one quarter of the land, and it is claimed they have planted or are going to plant vines on 31 fields, depriving farmers of their livelihoods.
In November 2011, Decanter.com reported that the Barclays, who are thought to be worth US$3.2bn, had invested heavily into the venture, building a new winery with the potential to produce 100 hectolitres of wine.
Kevin Delaney, managing director of the Sark Estate Management company, told the Times that repairs would cost, 'tens of thousands of pounds.'
The Sark police are continuing their investigations.
Have your say!
Vincent Powell
November 18 03:47
The Sark wine project is an ill-conceived white elephant. The invasion of vines is all about land grab, control & domination. Also the destruction of traditional agriculture and natural habitats.
Finally good sparkling wine needs chalk soils. Sark has predominantly heavy clay soils. This is pure folly.
Sark Committee Secretary
November 16 11:29
There is no evidence at all that local protesters had any involvement in vandalising the vineyard.
Would you please print a retraction and apologise to the people of Sark for such an accusation.
Gerald Duke
November 16 08:23
Maybe Sark Estate Managaement need to look to their own laid off staff before pointing a finger at the locals. Clearly no credible crop on Sark this year and the weather at bud formation would suggest little next year.
Dudley Bradley
November 15 13:03
There is no evidence to show that the vines were vandalised by the "local protesters". In fact they have condemned the actions of the mindless vandals. If you have ever visited the tiny island of Sark you will understand why there protests against the ploughing up of valuable grazing land. There are other important issues relating to the possible contamination of the water table through the use of chemicals. Please take the time to visit Save our Sark on Facebook to get a better understanding of why the residents of Sark are so concerned.