Chairman of South East Vineyards Association resigns

Chris Foss has resigned from his position as chairman of the South East Vineyards Association (SEVA).

Chris Foss, former chaiman of the South East Vineyards Association (SEVA)

Foss, the head of the wine department at Plumpton College in East Sussex, said he had resigned from SEVA to dedicate more time to his role as chairman of the English Wine and Research Development Group (EWRD).

Foss has been SEVA Chairman for nine years during which he has established Britain’s first wine tourism route and a community of English wine industry players through SEVA membership.

SEVA is currently enhancing the development of the route known as ‘South East Wine Route’.

“SEVA is creating a scenario around wine tourism linking vineyards with local hotels and restaurants. It ‘s about establishing a multi-sensory experience,” Foss said.

“One of SEVA’s long term ambitions is to turn the South East into a destination for wine lovers all over the world,” said Foss.

Current plans involve the establishment of brown road signs on the wine route in Sussex Kent and Surrey.

Since the launch of the wine route in April 2015, SEVA has built an app giving the user details on the location of vineyards. It includes details about vineyard opening times, wines available, history, background and contact details. The app lists retailers of English Wine as well as wineries.