Forgive us if we get a bit emotional, but 2022 is shaping up to be a big year for us.
When we started out on this adventure, our ultimate goal was always for the Penn Croft vineyard to exclusively produce our highest-tier, single-estate wine.
Well, we’re proud to say that 2022 is the first year we’ll be picking and pressing our very own for this purpose. Following in the footsteps of other award-winning wines produced in Hampshire, we’re now well on the path to our goal – and we couldn’t be more excited.
And while we’ve got our eyes on the future, it’s worth taking a moment to look back and see how we got here.
How it all started…
Let’s head back to May 2019, when regenerative agriculture guru Simon Porter was about to get down to some serious hard work. He planted (by hand, so as not to disturb the soil!) almost 16,000 vines – carefully selecting varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus for their ability to flourish in our temperate English weather.
To add to this amazing foundation, we were lucky enough to benefit from the incredible expertise and careful guidance of Paul Woodrow-Hill of Vine Care UK. With an impeccable track record establishing world-class vineyards such as Denbies Wine Estate and Nyetimber, we knew our big project was in safe hands.
Sustainable techniques
At the heart of Penn Croft is sustainability and a fundamental respect for the land. So we’re delighted to say that Simon’s conservation-led viticulture techniques have produced magnificently healthy soil – setting expectations high for producing first-class, premium quality sparkling wines.
To make the most of this beautiful soil, we opted to use a well-respected and ingenious growing technique called the Scott Henry Trellis System (named after its inventor, the famed Oregon winemaker Calvin “Scott” Henry III). This special system delivers superb benefits to wine production, particularly where land is at a premium. With maximum sunlight interception, improved airflow and a huge reduction in disease pressure, the result is much bigger yields and superior quality wine.
Onwards and upwards
With this combination of high quality, carefully nurtured land and smart, waste-reducing production techniques, we’re aiming to eventually produce around 30,000 bottles of single-estate wine per year. This will be sold under its own special Penn Croft label and aimed at premium markets interested in exclusivity and sustainable values.
If you want to join us on our wonderfully rewarding journey, we would love to welcome you.
Cheers!
The Penn Croft Team
A big thank you to our friends and partners
We’ve been lucky enough to have had a host of experts, enthusiasts and conservation evangelists help us along our journey so far – many of whom have become our friends as well as our professional partners:
Simon Day – viticultural consultant at Haygrove Evolution.
Steve Townsend from Soil First Farming – instrumental in guiding us on our conservation journey.
Frederick Thomas – a French vigneron advising us, and a number of other European vineyards on conservation principles.
And not forgetting the team at Blackdown Ridge Vineyard in Sussex, which includes Josh Hammond and Lucinda Colucci.
