Viticulture
Grown on sustainable, regenerative principles, no herbicides or insecticides. Sward allowed to grow up to seed every year then mulched in. Highly biodiverse environment has regenerated over 30years, which helps to keep a goodinsect balance and avoid any pests becoming abundant. 1 year vine canes mulched in after winter pruning, older wood dried and used to heat the farmhouse. Some fungicides applied as preventives early in the year, well below permitted levels, using integrated pest management principles to keep them to the minimum. Only farmyard manure, hay mulch and chipped hedge-trimmings from the estate are used as fertiliser. The vines are hand tended and picked, with minimal soil compaction.
Growing Season
2021 was the second pandemic year. May - august coolish and quite wet. Budburst was late, not complete until 4 May after a mild, wet winter and cool dry spring. No significant frost damage in th Kernling. The yield was average after a moderate summer in 2020 July and August continued cooler than average and showery until last week of august when an anticyclone brought dry settled weather and day temps of 20-22.
. The crop was ripe and in perfect condition after more-than-usually thorough deleafing by lockdown-escaping volunteers.
Harvest:
24 October 2021, was cloudy but warm and dry. Picked by large group of volunteers, a socially distanced occasion but still a convivial day. Harvest sugars at 68 oechsle, acid 13g/l.
Vinification:
Winemaker: Steve Brooksbank, Bagborough winery, Bagborough Lane, Pylle, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6SX. WSB No 70464. Crushing/pressing 25 Oct 2021.
Wine must chaptalised a little to raise alcohol to 11% from the natural alcohol of 9.1%, and deacidified to 9.9 g/l, vinified in stainless steel tanks. Fermented with no further intervention in stainless steel. Residual sugar of 9.3 g/l.
Filtered and bottled 3 Apr 2022: autumn leaf, 410g 75cl Burgundy bottles sealed with top quality traditional cork. Label FSC certified "Tintoretto" paper, printed by Lotus Labels of Eastbourne. 1600 bottles made. Winery record no. 29/21.