Meet the family behind Little Wold Vineyard

Henry | Chairman

Henry has lived on the farm all his life and it’s been his main role over the years to keep our farm alive. He’s taken many brave steps since taking over from his father Rob Wilson. Henry’s planted a range of crops, reared a variety of animals and headed up various farmers co-operatives. Planting a field of vines at the young age of 65, was perhaps his most ambitious project to date, but it was a decision he has not regretted. Although he keeps telling us he’s ‘retired’ you’ll often find him in the vines or on the tractor. He takes on the role of security from time to time at our weddings and is always on call for help and advice when we need it.

Henry enjoys hosting our vineyard tours and chatting to people at various markets and after diner speaking events across the county. Although Henry no longer lives at the farm house, he and his wife Heather don’t live far away and still have a view of the fields from their sitting room window.

Tom | Estate Manager

Tom is Henry’s son. He moved home to the farm in 2014 with his wife Nikki and two girls Ellie and India. His love of farming has taken him to different farms in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, driving and maintaining a range of agricultural equipment. On returning to the farm (initially while still contracting on other farms) he brought some of our unproductive land back into work and helped with the establishment of the new vines. Now, with our ever growing amount of vines to manage Tom works full time at the vineyard. He has turned his hand too many things on the farm such as helping to lay concrete during our various builds, digging in much needed road ways, laying pipes and improving drainage for the vines on one of our newest sites. Amongst his achievements has been making our own vine planter which he now uses to help plant others vineyards in the area (along with ours of course!) New for 2022, Tom also turned his practical skills to wine making in our new winery! When home from university his daughter Ellie is often by his side learning his trade.

Alice | Marketing Director, Weddings & Events Manager

Alice is the youngest of Henrys children and apart from a short stint at university has lived on and around the farm all her life. After finishing her degree in Childhood Studies and Professional Practice she went on to be a primary school teacher in and around the hull area for the first few years of her professional life. In 2014 Alice joined the farm full time heading up finding routes to market for their pending wine, she set up and led the weddings and events held at the farm along with developing the company branding, marketing and sales. In 2016 she tied the knot with her husband Andy at the site and in 2017 welcomed their second child into the world. In 2018 she proudly won the overall ‘woman of achievement’ award in the Hull Woman in Business event, who gave praise to her determination, hard work and dedication to making the farm profitable in times of adversity. New for 2022, after pushing forward the ambition to have an onsite winery, she is now proud to add ‘wine maker’ to her title. Her husband Andy is the techie one of the family and is in charge of our web management (along with his full time job as a telecoms manager).

Hayley | Weddings & Events Coordinator

Hayley joined the Little Wold team in 2021. Having lived and schooled in the area for most of her of life, she is very familiar with the Yorkshire Wolds and its surroundings. Hayley has had a long career with Lloyds Bank, working in numerous local branches then in 2008 she was offered a role overseas in Cyprus as a Business Development Manager growing the international banking market. Whilst working there Hayley met her husband Mark.The two of them then spent time working in both Cambridge and Gibraltar before eventually returning to Yorkshire. The call of home was very strong and they settled back in the local area in 2014. For the past 11 years Hayley has worked as a Client Experience Manager and event planning has been a large part of her role from individual Client Events to Corporate Away Days. Hayley is passionate about creating an experience we can be proud of and by keeping you at the heart of everything we do will ensure you take away some amazing memories from what ever event you are celebrating with us at Little Wold.

Cameron | Vineyard Apprentice

Cameron initially trained as a joiner when he left school, working mainly in commercial properties. After working in the trade for a few years, he decided it wasn’t for him and wanted to re-train.

Cameron’s family live locally, however, have a property in France and spend a lot of time in the wild outdoors – hiking and camping up mountains and in moorlands.

With a passion for the outdoors in his blood, the idea of working in a vineyard was perfect. He joined our team in 2020 and joined the UK’s first Vineyard Apprentice scheme hosted by Plumpton College. He works full time alongside Tom and has helped with the development of two of our new vineyards and the ever-ending maintenance of the more established vines. His joiner skills also came in very handy when building our extension, and many of the joiner aspects were delivered on time due to his skills.

Jenny | Cellar Door Supervisor

Jenny joined the Little Wold Vineyard team in November 2021. Jenny grew up near North Cliffe on an arable farm and now lives just outside of Pocklington with her two teenage children and mini Dachshunds. She trained as a primary school teacher and worked as a SEN co-ordinator in several primary schools for 19 years, before having a change of carer and working in her local florist.

Since joining the team she has helped us to set up and grow our cellar door shop. She helps to host our wine events and vineyard tours. Jenny is a friendly face at our weddings – helping to set up and meet suppliers as well as usually serving welcome drinks and ensuring everything is ready for the big day.

Elaine | Events Coordinator

Elaine is the newest member of the Little Wold team having only just joined us (Aug 2022)

Elaine has lived in the area all her life and was brought up in the next village on a sheep farm, so farming of the land has always been part of her life. She still enjoys being involved in the farm and isn’t shy to getting her hands dirty, so will enjoy harvesting the grapes and seeing them through the process of grapes to a glass of wine in your hand.

After leaving school, Elaine served her apprenticeship in Hairdressing at Elloughton before being given the opportunity to work in South Cave for 13 years.

Having spent many years working in the village, she has a vast knowledge of the area, it surroundings, local people and businesses.

Socially, Elaine spent her teenage years involved in the Young Farmers movement which saw her involved in the running of the club and organising events.

Hairdressing has given Elaine the opportunity to work alongside brides and their families, with her eye for detail and a hair grip in her pocket, she’s sure to make that special day memorable.