Jenkyn Place Vineyard

Jenkyn Place Vineyard
Hole Lane
Bentley
Hampshire
GU10 5LU

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Where is it?

Jenkyn Place Vineyard

Jenkyn Place Vineyard is set in the North Downs near Bentley, in Hampshire. Simon, who set up ski travel company, Bladon Lines, as well as a number of wine bars in London, and his wife Rebecca bought Jenkyn Place in 1997.

The house was once known for its wonderful gardens, once boasting the longest double-sided herbaceous border in the country. The Bladons took the decision in 2004 to close the gardens and plant a vineyard after having tasted some fantastic English sparkling wine at a furniture auction held at a top producer in Sussex in 2003.

Freshy foiled wines from Jenkyn PlaceThe first field planted at Jenkyn PlaceLooking down the vinesGetting ready to pick the Pinot noirCarefully stacked bottles of the Jenkyn Place BrutJenkyn Place House

Jenkyn Place Vineyard Wines

This release from Jenkyn Place Vineyard is crafted from the classic Champagne grapes and made by consultant winemaker Dermot Sugrue. It has a lovely, bright, pale lemon colour with a steady and small bead of bubbles. The nose is clean and inviting with fresh citrus and stone fruits complemented by a touch of yeasty, bread notes. The palate offers a vivacious and mouth watering texture and lovely balance of acidity with a good finish.

This delightful salmon coloured rosé is made from the classic Champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier. It has a lovely, developed, yeasty nose with red fruit from the Pinot grapes, with aromas of apples, honey and hints of floral. The palate offers a refreshing acidity with a touch of sour cherry, and a sweet rhubarb and caramel finish.

Vineyard

The vineyard currently boasts 14 acres of vines, and sits on gentle, south-facing slopes that straddle the 100m contour of the North Downs in Hampshire. 15,000 Champagne variety vines consisting of different clones of Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier, on varied rootstock provide Jenkyn Place's wines an interesting complexity and character.

The quality of the grapes is paramount to Simon and Rebecca, in order for the wines to be of the best quality themselves. But also the vineyard's aesthetics play a big part in the image of the brand. An arboretum was planted adjacent to the vineyard with crossing avenues in the shape of a Scottish Saltaire, to limit the wind exposure to the vines and grapes. As well as acting as a windbreak, the arboretum has become part of the experience for visitors to Jenkyn Place.

Wines

After great success with the 2006 and 2007 vintages of the Sparkling Brut, Simon Bladon began to forge a close relationship with consultant winemaker, Dermot Sugrue. Dermot made the 2008 vintages and this bond between grower and winemaker is essential to reaching the desired end-product.

Both made from the three Champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier, the Sparkling Brut and Sparkling Rosé 2008 vintage wines are just as delicate, fresh and divine as the previous two vintages. Adding a rosé to the range gives this Hampshire based vineyard another string to their bow.