Dutch entrepreneur confident in success of multi-million Fennor Vineyard

Paulus Willem Heemskerk is the man behind the winery that lies on the banks of the Boyne, just outside of Slane.

Thirty-six thousand vines have been planted on the banks of the River Boyne with Dutch entrepreneur Paulus Willem Heemskerk in no doubt his ambitious, multi-million Fennor vineyard will be a budding success.

Heemskerk is aiming for 90,000 bottles to be produced on an annual basis, starting in 2029. However, as the 72-year-old Dutchman is estimating a total investment of between €3-4 million, he is also planning thoroughly for a significant tourism aspect of his vineyard.

Six different types of grapes have been planted on the estate overlooking Slane bridge, which includes four white and two red. In terms of end products, white and red wine, sparkling wine, and róse are all in the plans at Fennor.

With the vineyard spanning an area of almost 30 acres, this venture is not lacking in the scale and the affable Heemskerk is feeling confident ahead of the unique challenge.

“I’m happy and I am proud. It’s a beautiful project," he said as he sat down with the Meath Chronicle.

Although this is Heemskerk’s first attempt at a vineyard, after moving to Portugal at the age of 19 following the Portuguese Revolution in 1974, his working life has given him plenty of experience.

His background includes various agricultural ventures, as well as being behind a very successful olive biomass processing facility after seeing an opportunity in Portugal. Now, he will look to take all of his life lessons on board with him to deliver the Fennor vineyard.

Although born in the Netherlands and spending most of his life in Portugal, Heemskerk is not short on Irish connections. After his mother first came to Ireland on a student exchange programme, she and her husband eventually bought the property at Fennor in the 1960s, thus their Irish connection began.

Heemskerk’s involvement with Fennor became more significant in the 1990s.

“The connection with Ireland has always been very strong,” he says, adding that all members of his family share the same sentiment.

The vineyard began life in June 2026, with the planting of the site happening over ‘four or five days’, but the idea had been hatching in Heemskerk’s brain for some time.

“We started studying it four years ago more seriously. I think last year, some of the guys said: ‘My God. You’ve talked for four or five years about the winery. You either do it, or you don’t do it.’ So I said, ‘Let’s go ahead.’”

Irish vineyards do not typically come at the scale of Heemskerk’s vision, as they are more often found in Europe in the likes of France and Italy. But in the midst of changing climates, the time felt right for a major winery in Ireland and in particular, the Boyne Valley.

“Climate change, it’s a reality now. I think Ireland is getting more of a proper climate for [a vineyard]. You need the courage to do it now, and hope that we can prove we’re right.”

With help from Portuguese winemaker Pedro Hipolito, he said, “we studied the best varieties of grapes for this kind of climate. I have good people with me.”

Despite going to one of the biggest wine producers in Italy for project preparation, Heemskerk isn’t oblivious to the fact Ireland will present unique problems for a vineyard.

“The Irish weather is very unstable. You never know what you’ll have.”

Immediately faced with significant drought this summer, the entrepreneur was able to get through the dry patch without any setbacks. “Once the rain came, you could see they were growing fast.”

He added, “I hope that climate change will be in our favour. But, this year, it was a wake-up call for everybody. All the countries will think of it in a different way.”

As the climate shifts, vineyards in traditional regions such as Italy and Portugal have struggled with extreme heat. With this in mind, Heemskerk believes Ireland could become a more favourable place for such growth in the distant future. “Slowly, of course. Not tomorrow, but there will be a change.

“I really believe that Ireland has a future. We can produce good wine here. Four years from now, we can taste the best Irish wine.

“It might be a unique flavour being grown in Ireland, it will be fresh.”

There is currently a relatively small team that is operating at Fennor House - for now.

“I have good people with me. That’s important in life - whatever you do. You must be able to create good human relationships.

“We feel at home here. The people in Slane, they make you feel welcome. People are 100 per cent backing the product. The relationship with people around here is very important.”

Giving special mention to farmer Michael Swan, Heemskerk did not mince his words when he was discussing the importance of local support for a winning recipe.

"We have good people around us, farmers and all kinds of people. Michael, he knows all about it. He knows the soil.

“I just hope that I can offer them a nice glass of Fennor wine. The Irish people, they have a lovely spirit.”

The focus for the Fennor wine project is now ensuring the vines continue their growth and that potential harsh autumn and winter conditions don’t disrupt their development. Looking forward, the integration of tourism will also become increasingly important in the near future.

“Tourism is a very important part of the project,” the 72-year-old commented. “People should be able to visit the vineyard. They can see the winery and the process of making the wine, they can taste the end product.”

From the Hill of Slane, to the Slane Whiskey Distillery, to Newgrange, the Dutch winemaker finds himself in an area alongside plenty of intriguing sites for visitors. As a unique venture though, his vineyard won’t share many similarities with tourist attractions in Ireland.

“People love to see wineries… Wine brings people together. I think around 200,000 people visit Newgrange every year. They could go there, the other attractions in Slane, then they could end up here before they go back… It’s so close to Dublin.”

Plans for the tourism leg of the vineyard don’t just stop at showcasing the wine-making process, as Heemskerk has major ambitions for Fennor House.

“It must be big enough for catering and hospitality. Three-day weddings are becoming more common. People can come for wine tasting before or after the wedding.

“I think it will be really good for the community,” he confidently added.

In terms of his multi-million euro investment, Heemskerk does not have any reference point when it comes to commercial Irish vineyards. Despite this, he is not worried that his plans are going to fall short.

“After the initial investment, there’s no way back. The whole process comes out of your own pocket. I think it’s worth it - I have no hesitation about it.

“The vineyard is planted. Now, we have to wait. I trust 100 per cent in it. I strongly believe that it will work out.

“At the moment, I am happy. I have a lot of energy, and I want to do something with it.”

As he envisions a long-term future for the Fennor vineyard, it is hoped that one of his three children will be able to take on the mantle in the future.

“Of course [I hope one of my children takes over]. I have two daughters and a son. They can all bring in professionally what they are good at. Together, as a family, we will make something special out of it.”