South Downs vineyard releases trio of debut wines
and live on Freeview channel 276
The family-owned Kinsbrook Vineyard near West Chiltington was founded in 2014 and has now launched its first bottles - a Sparkling Vintage Cuvee, a limited production Bacchus and a Pinot Gris.
The sparkling Cuvee - made by celebrated winemaker Dermot Sugrue - is said to be crisp with aromas of orchard fruit, toasted brioche and honeyed almonds, characteristic of a wine which has been aged for nearly six years on lees.
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Hide AdThe Bacchus grape, ideally suited to England’s cool climate, is the basis of Kinsbrook’s low-alcohol wine (10.6%) while the semi-aromatic Pinot Gris is a highly-complex acidic wine said to have notes of apple, stone fruit and spices.
Kinsbrook Vineyard is also experimenting with the ‘forgotten’ Champagne grape varieties once used in France; it is believed to be one of the only plantings in the country. These varieties will be ready for their first harvest in 2021.
“Our hand-crafted wines exemplify the potential of England’s viticulture” says Joe Beckett, who, at 27, is the youngest vineyard owner in the country.
“Four years ago I visited the wineries on Waiheke Island in New Zealand and felt inspired to not only set up my own vineyard on my family’s third generation farm, but to create a complete wine tourism experience around it.
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Hide Ad“I’m so excited to finally have our first vintage and I’m looking forward to sharing it with people both local and from further afield.”
The Bacchus will retail at £18, the Pinot Gris at £19 and the sparkling at £35.
Kinsbrook has also launched vineyard tours and wine tastings of its debut vintage from its converted horsebox overlooking the vineyard.
Visitors can either drop in for a tasting or book a tour. See https://www.kinsbrookvineyard.com