A VINEYARD near Alresford is preparing to release its first vintage bottles made purely from the estate’s vines after a champagne house made its move to Hampshire.
Pinglestone Estate, in Drove Lane, was taken over by a French champagne house in 2016 and planted its first vines in 2017 with the aim of making the “best” English sparkling wines.
Although wines from the estate of 40 hectares have been available since 2020 with the current release being from the 2018 harvest, the vineyard is now looking forward to launching its first vintage wine made 100 per cent from the estate.
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Champagne company Pommery made the move to English sparkling wine in 2015 with the start of the Louis Pommery project, with Vranken-Pommery Monopole being the first champagne house to plant vines in the UK.
Vineyard director Clement Pierlot, from Ardennes in France, said: “We really fell in love for the hill of Pinglestone. We discovered after that it was close to the beautiful area of New Alresford.
“It’s the perfect site because of the pure chalk, good drainage, natural shelter from the wind, microclimate due to the river Arle and low altitude. And there are more inexplicable reasons such as the atmosphere on top of the hill where you know it’s a special terroir.
“With the ageing of our vines, with time, work and passion, we aim to produce the best English sparkling wines.
“The terroir and the grapes are the key. Experience and know-how is needed to preserve the quality obtained in the vineyard and maximize its potential.”
Pinglestone Estate sparkling wine should be available from 2024/25. Currently, three English workers including vineyard manager James Bowerman are employed.
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Mr Bowerman said: “Pinglestone for me provides a small piece of paradise on the outskirts of Winchester. The aim since planting five years ago is to balance our vines with the existing natural habitat, to encourage insect, bird and invertebrate life, with flowers, trees, native grass and wildflower margins spread across the vineyards.
“We have a beautiful 360 degree aspect at Pinglestone, shallow soils over ancient chalk dominate the slopes. The quality of the Louis Pommery grapes comes from this beautiful combination of geology and climate paired with our natural growing philosophy.
“My hope for Pinglestone vineyard is to increase our knowledge and quality of fruit. We can continue our international and UK collaborations providing visits and work placements, encouraging a genuine philosophy of excellence, learning, exchange and development in the vineyards.”
The estate’s yields are set to increase and Mr Pierlot anticipates production will reach between 150,000 to 200,000 bottles per annum within the next five years.
Pinglestone Estate was certified as a sustainable wine of Great Britain in 2021.
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