A wining singer

April 16, 2016

Section:

Portuguese vineyard that produces Sir Cliff Richard’s wine goes up for sale as he awaits a decision as to whether he might face charges in Britain

Sir Cliff Richard is yet to be informed whether he’ll face charges for allegedly groping a young man at a Christian rally in 1985 and now the Portuguese vineyard that produces his wines has been placed on the market for £7.5 million ($10.7 million or €9.5 million) according to The Telegraph.

A wining singer – Quinta do Miradouro and Adega do Cantor, Albufeira, Portugal – Sir Cliff Richard wines, Lesley and Nigel Birch – Vida Nova and Onda Nova wines – For sale for £7.5 million ($10.7 million or €9.5 million) — A wining singer – Sir Cliff Richard with his wines

Owned by a couple named Lesley and Nigel Birch, Quinta do Miradouro and Adega do Cantor – which translates as “Winery of the Singer” – in Albufeira, Portugal is the location where Sir Cliff’s Vida Nova and Onda Nova wines are made. The singer’s personal vineyard and a third vineyard owned by the couple is not part of the property offered but alongside approximately 14.82 acres of vines, there are two houses and various commercial buildings.

In a statement, Sir Cliff, whose own villa is located just five minutes drive away, remarked:

“Creating and establishing the winery has been a truly exhilarating and rewarding experience. It has been hard work but we are immensely proud of what has been achieved here”.

“However, reluctant as we are, my business partner and I believe it is time to slow down the treadmill, and hand over the ‘dream’ to someone who can dedicate more time to this wonderful venture than we can”.

Sir Cliff’s associations with the wines have not always proved fruitful. In 2006, appearing on Gordon Ramsay’s The F-Word, the 75-year old had a meltdown during a blind tasting. After sipping one unnamed offering, Sir Cliff announced: “That’s rubbish. I wouldn’t pay for that. It’s tainted, it’s insipid, it tastes like vinaigrette. I’d never buy that”.

Ramsay, 49, responded by remarking: “Cliff, that’s your wine”. The singer is said to have answered: “Young man, go f**k yourself”.