Greyfriar's - 2012 Update

Following on from my longer blog post last September about our local Surrey vineyard on the Hog's Back, here is an update on Greyfriar's, a vineyard in transition.

Unfortunately, the weather in 2012 has not been great for the grapes in Southern England.  You can see how this has effected them by looking at the picture below - you will note that the grapes on the bunch are all different sizes.  Thus the yield will not be great but quality could still be good if we have a sunny end to September and in October prior to the harvest.

2012 has not been a good year for these Chardonnay grapes

New Chardonnay plantings on the lower slopes

Mike and his team have again been busy this year planting more vines.  They have all the classic Champagne grapes of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier as well as a little Pinot Grigio.

Vinevard owner, Mike, talking about his new plantings

I was impressed by our tour this year and Mike and his team are certainly growing in terms of their experience and wine knowledge.

More new vines on the upper slopes

They have purchased some new pressing equipment and I was interested to see that they have purchased some barrels to oak some of their cuvees of the first time.

The new press and some barrels to oak some of their cuvees

The old  part of the vineyard has had new trellis-work installed

Even the old part of the vineyard has been worked on with impressive new trellis-work to support the vines.  It is busy work running a vineyard and winery!

This year as in 2011 they only have the wines produced by the previous owners for sale.  Nevertheless, the 2005 they are selling is a nice bottle of local bubbly at £17 a bottle.

Next year in 2013 we should be able to taste the wines of Mike Wagstaff and David Line for the first time.  I am looking forward to this.  They are even producing a small amount of sparkling rose using the saignee method rather than the dosage method, less than 500 bottles apparently.

Once again good luck to this new venture and we'll be back next year to taste your efforts.

Do visit their website by clicking on Greyfriars.