We have four grape varieties
- Pinot Noir – the Burgundy red wine grape and also one of the three Champagne grapes,
- Seyval Blanc – a hybrid grape produced by crossing Seibel and Rayon d’Or which grows well in cool climates and is disease resistant,
- Madeleine Angevine 7672 – an experimental hybrid first propagated in the UK the 1950s (often confused with the French table grape with the same name),
- Bacchus – the offspring of a Silvaner and Riesling crossing and Müller Thurgau, Bacchus is a hardy variety that ripens early.
In any year we will harvest between 2 and 5 tonnes which will make between 2,000 and 5,000 bottles of wine. The critical factor in this wide range is frost in May, when buds are developing. The Madeline Angevine is usually harvested towards the end of September, with the Pinot Noir and Seyval Blanc in mid/late October. The Bacchus was planted in 2021.
The vineyard is maintained using hands rather than machines where possible. Due to the open aspect, minimal chemical sprays are required and the nutrient rich soil requires little supplementation, so everything is operated in the most environmentally friendly way we can achieve, without being organic.
Biagio Grillo, originally from Sicily still generously offers help with the vines and orchard he helped establish. Biagio initiated a vine nursery to preserve and rejuvinate the particular variety of Madeleine Angevine vines which produce a distinctive and incredible flavour.
Philippe Desaint, from the South of France has a wealth of experience. As well as helping look after the vines, he has also creatively engineered a path through a wooded and brook area beside the vineyard which is alive with woodland creatures.
The ‘terrior’ is a French term which encompasses the environmental conditions, especially soil and climate, in which grapes are grown and that give a wine its unique flavour and aroma.
The site is a great natural location for a vineyard – south facing in good sunlight throughout the day, with a gentle slope from east to west. The topsoil contains a good balance of nutrients, with a chalky subsoil that provides good drainage but also retains water several meters down, with a natural spring flowing from below the vines into the brook all year round. The chalk also makes the soil alkaline which encourages the metabolism of the vines to produce sap and grape juice with high acid content. The elevation and open site result in good ventilation and we are far less susceptible than other vineyards to disease such as mildew and botrytis. However, being in the centre of the country the vineyard can be affected by frosts in late April/early May which can obliterate the new buds – the main impact being that this will significantly reduce the quantity of grape clusters, particularly in the pinot noir variety, although the quality of the smaller crop is not affected.
The site is also a natural habitat for an astonishing variety of wildlife including kingfisher, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, heron, egret, roe and muntjac deer, fox, rabbit, badger, otter, stoat and mink, frogs and toads and more. Birds of prey such as kestrels, buzzards and red kites are also seen around the vineyard.
Grapes grown at Hendred Vineyard are taken to expert wine-makers to complete the process. The grapes are pressed and the primary fermentation takes place in individual tanks. For still wines, after about 8 months the wine is ready and can be bottled. As the sparkling wine is produced in the traditional method, it takes years to reach full maturity. This technique of producing sparkling wines entails conducting the second fermentation in the individual bottles and is called the classic or traditional method which is similar to that used for Champagne production. The wine-making process is automated and strict quality control measures in place which ensure the most cost effective and consistent quality products are produced. The wines are produced using no animal products so are vegan friendly. In the past wine has been made on site at Hendred Vineyard, however this is a time consuming operation and we prefer to concentrate on growing the finest quality grapes and outsource the wine production to experts. This approach has produced some exceptional wines.
Accolades
Hendred wines are consistent award winners even though they are seldom entered for competitions. The regional Thames and Chilterns Vineyards Association incorporates over 25 vineyards, many producing superb wines, so it is an honour to be recognized among these. The National WineGB competition is open to several hundred vineyards.
The Hendred Brut 2015 vintage triumphed with the ‘Best Sparkling Wine‘ trophy (and gold medal) in the regional competition. The 2014, 2016, 2017 vintages won silver medals in this competition. In addition, the 2016 Brut was awarded a silver medal in the national WineGB competition.
Hendred Rosé from the delicious Pinot Noir grapes of the 2018 and 2022 harvests won ‘Best Rosé‘ in the regional competition. The rosé from the 2021 harvest won a gold medal.
Hendred Furlong, a still white was awarded a silver medal at the WineGB competition for the 2023 vintage and was the highest scoring Madeleine Angevine in the country.
Previous wines now sold out: Hendred Cuvée sparkling white wine, similar to the Brut but slightly less dry, was awarded a silver medal at the regional competition for the 2016 vintage. Hendred Spring (2021 and 2022) won bronze medals in the regional competition. ‘Hendred Mist’ (2019), a fragrant white wine and ‘Hendred Spring’ (2020) a floral wine with essence of lime sold out before there was time to be considered for awards.
Hendred Brut Rosé and Hendred Bacchus are new additions to the range and are already highly regarded amongst customers.
You can order wine online here; simply select the wine or wines you require, along with the quantities. You can make payment online and select your delivery method or collection time.
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