ABV  13%
BOTTLE SIZE 75cl
REGION/COUNTRY  WEST SUSSEX, SOUTHERN ENGLAND, ENGLAND
GRAPE  100% PINOT GRIS
FEATURES  VEGETARIAN
CLOSURE  STELVIN LUX
WINEMAKER  SIMON WOODHEAD
ALLERGEN INFO  CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS

Producer Profile

“Precision, Passion, Craft and Sustainability” is the apt motto of Simon Woodhead’s, Stopham Estate. Having begun his career as an engineer, designing parts for Formula One racing cars, Simon discovered a passion for wine while living in Spain and in 2005 he enrolled at Plumpton College to study winemaking. In 2007 Simon planted six hectares of vines, predominantly Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, at Stopham Estate, near Pulborough West Sussex. The estate is known locally for its ancient buildings that were recorded in the Domesday Book, as well as the swans that swim the River Arun, the banks of which form the lower boundary to the vineyards. Their small winery is in a converted barn on the estate that Simon leases from the owners, the Barttelot family.

Viticulture

The six-hectare estate is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, in the South Downs National Park. The vines are planted on sandy, free-draining soils and south facing slopes, which maximise sun exposure and ripening. Simon practises sustainable farming, by employing careful soil management, encouraging natural biodiversity and integrated pest management. The flock of Stopham farm animals provides organic fertiliser to enrich the sandy soils.

Winemaking

The grapes were pressed directly on entering the winery and there was no skin contact. They were fermented in stainless-steel tanks under strict temperature control to retain and accentuate the variety’s primary fruit profile. As expected from aromatic varieties, there was no malolactic fermentation or use of oak. The wine was bottled in January 2023.

Tasting Note

This English Pinot Gris is aromatic and vibrant with notes of peach, pear and pineapple on the nose. Delicately off-dry, the palate is pure and precise with lively citrus and stone fruit flavours framed by juicy acidity.