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In: Producer Profiles, South Australia

This week I had my first excursion out to the Barossa – famed for it’s high alcohol, bold Shiraz. However, I was out there to visit a very different kind of winery that’s been breaking with Barossa tradition and putting terroir first to deliver wines that speak to the uniqueness of the land… A new story on an old place Alkina, Barossa Valley Alkina was established in 2015 by Argentinian businessman Alejandro Bulgheroni who wanted to add Australia, and the Barossa in particular, to his book of international, sustainable vineyards (he also owns wineries in Uruguay, Argentina, Italy, France and the US). He bought anRead More →

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In: English Wine Adventures, Producer Profiles

I had the pleasure of meeting Emma Rice, Head Winemaker at Hattingley Valley and Chair of the Winemaking Society for WineGB, at Hattingley Valley Vineyard in Hampshire recently. Simon Robinson, also Chairman of WineGB, is the proud owner of this ‘quintessentially English’ winery. The vineyard itself is situated on chalky, south-facing slopes 160m above sea level, and the first plantings were in 2008 with the first vintage bottled in 2010 and released in 2013. Simon knew he wanted to create a market leading business and brought in Emma in 2008 to expertly guide the design and build of the now 500 tonne eco-friendly winery. ThereRead More →

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In: English Wine Adventures, Producer Profiles

Greyfriars was established in 1989 by two vets and it’s animal roots are still going strong with two competing horse vets on the site along with a hydrotherapy pool for dogs! The vineyard itself is just off the Hog’s Back (that’s a road name!), very conveniently only a 10-minute taxi ride from Guildford mainline station which is a swift 30 minute fast train from London.  The owners Mike and Hillary Wagstaff took over the vineyard in 2010 after Mike’s company was bought out and, too young to retire, he decided to put his engineering background to a different use. They took over the 1.5 acreRead More →

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In: English Wine Adventures, Producer Profiles

Bruce and Sibylla Tindale’s High Clandon Estate Vineyard in the Surrey Hills boasts spectacular views over gorgeous countryside towards London. It’s a beautiful, peaceful oasis with an award-winning sparkling wine to match…the owner’s have coined ‘quintessence’ (the most perfect example of quality or class) to describe their wine and I think it fits the bubbles and ambience perfectly.  The vineyard is just 1 acre and they make 1 wine producing around 1500-2500 bottles per year depending on the harvest. The vineyard was planted in 2005 and is situated on a chalky limestone South-East facing slope, ideal for the classic champagne varietals of Pinot Noir, PinotRead More →

The Albury Team

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In: English Wine Adventures, Producer Profiles

Nick Wenman has truly turned his dream into a reality in setting up Albury Organic Vineyard. What was intended to be a retirement hobby is now a beautiful boutique organic vineyard in the Surrey Hills, producing 20-25,000 bottles a year from around 15 acres. He and his daughter Lucy, who currently manages the marketing and much more besides for the vineyard, work with a small, dynamic team to deliver delicious results that continue to go from strength-to-strength. The vineyard was planted from scratch in 2009 on southern slopes of the North Downs in the Surrey Hills. This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (anRead More →