County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month July 2022

For July’s wine of the month, we have chosen a relatively new established vineyard at the foot of the South Downs, next to Devils Dyke, owned by Esme and Rupert.

After spotting Esme selling at a local farmers’ market, where she was offering visitors a taster of her wines, I was taken by the quality of their small batch wines. I asked Esme and Rupert how they first started out as wine growers and they commented with the following;

“We jumped on the roller coaster of vine growing back in 2010 when we established our small 6 acre vineyard on our working family farm. Traditionally, the farm had specialised in our Pedigree Sussex beef herd, sheep flock and livery yard but the idea of creating a vineyard had circulated for many years. Being lucky enough to have the perfect site on a green sand, south facing slope at the foot of the Downs, we finally took the plunge, and 8,500 vines went into the soil in April 2011.  Having selected the main sparkling varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, we also opted for Bacchus to compliment our range with a still white.

“Dealing with the seasonal variables that mother nature throws at you, or what at times feels like biblical plagues, can be stressful but also incredibly exciting.  Our vineyard is small and so we and our customers have to celebrate and embrace what each year and vintage brings us. All our energies are focussed on producing the most exceptional quality fruit. We really want those fruit flavours to shine in our wines so follow a minimal intervention winemaking approach.” – Esme Crowther, Poynings Grange Vineyard

So, for this month’s CBC Wine of the Month, we have chosen their Rose de Noirs 2015, of which they are very proud. This wine is a perfect summer treat. 2015 was a great vintage and has resulted in a wonderful wine, which has an attractive light pink and golden hue with well integrated, fine bubbles. For me, on the nose, I get a hit of rhubarb and custard with a biscuity crumble to follow from the years of aging in the bottle. On the palate, we have balanced acidity with summer fruits and a hint of peach followed by grapefruit. Bravo, encore please! The price of their Rose de Noir is £29 a bottle. 

In the winemakers own words;

“Beautifully delicate in colour and brimming with characteristic Pinot red fruit flavours – cherries and strawberries but also plum and wild bramble. This wine has a savoury peppery nature which is clean and refreshing.  Long ageing on its lees and in bottle enhances the complexity with biscuity flavours emerging. A delicious summer celebration wine.”

Other notable wines from this vineyard are the crisp 2015 Blanc de Blancs and their fresh, floral and elderflower driven 2018 Bacchus, most definitely worth a try. 

A future plan is to bring customers to their estate so they can share the magnificent spot thevineyard occupies and of course a glass or two! Keep an eye out for this vineyard in the future, one to definitely savour in the sun this summer.

Michael Yeoman,
English Wine and International Wine Specialist

Michael Yeoman produces his own range of sustainable spirits with Spirit of the Downs (www.spiritofthedowns.co.uk) and works with small batch local vineyards with his Brighton and Hove Wine Club (www.brightonandhovewineclub.co.uk)