Woolton Wines (credit Saltwick Media)
Woolton Farm in Bekesbourne, near Canterbury, Kent is steeped in family history and heritage where the Mount Family have been growing fruit for four generations.
Using the same ethos of provenance, authenticity and unique character that goes in to the production of the farm’s internationally award-winning cider, the family and small team have created Woolton Wines, with a limited edition run of nine wines.
A family wedding on the farm was the genesis of Woolton Wines. The wine produced for the party wasn’t just drinkable, it was excellent, and so began the journey to making their single estate wines for a wider audience. The family grow for themselves and their own tastes meaning they can focus on high quality small batches. Each year is treated independently leaving room for creativity and spontaneity over formulation and consistency.
Under the direction of MD Sam Mount, Woolton Wines echo the people, landscape and rich textures of this much loved place in the Kent countryside. All of the wines are produced from grapes grown exclusively from Woolton vineyard with PDO status from Wine GB. The vineyard produces still and sparkling white and rose wines, including Bacchus, Sparkling Bacchus Charmat, Still Rose, Pet Nat Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Brut. The 2.5 acre site has just 3,300 vines and is divided equally into three, growing Bacchus, Point Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The south facing vineyard has a distinct and beneficial micro climate and is 145 feet about sea level and tucked beneath the top of a ridge with gravel soil and sandy clay beneath.
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As a family business, we pride ourselves on an absolute passion for taste and flavour. From the fruit to the glass, we set out to make drinks that excite the imagination, challenging ourselves and collaborating with others all under the roof of Woolton Farm barn, a cathedral to wine and cider in the countryside.
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Vines and wines
Bacchus, Pinot and Chardonnay grapes are grown exclusively at Woolton. The vineyard is set in a sheltered site on the east side of the estate and is sheltered by a wood, which helps to protect the grapes from the cold easterly winds usually experienced in East Kent during spring time. Being on the east side also means that there is no shading from the trees, providing an exceptionally warm spot which allows for a longer ripening period.
The soil on the ridges of the farm are gravelly with a mixture of sand and clay beneath. This combination of slightly acid, free draining, gravel soil, with a nutrient rich water retaining base of sand and clay, give a unique complexity and character to the wines.
Tasting notes from Clive Barlow, Master of Wine
Sparkling Rose Pinot Noir Chardonnay Traditional Method 2014 Wow! A wonderful expression of mature classic-method notes such as roasted nuts, lemon and brioche with a fine persistent mousse, delicate and sensual. The wine is dry with the fine ripe acidity balanced by the depth of fruit and rich autolytic notes. There is a long flavoursome finish and good depth leading to a conclusion that this is more a sipping and thinking wine than a simple drinking wine. It should partner food dishes such as chicken, guinea fowl and salmon with ease and aplomb. It also has the capacity to evolve over the coming four years. 19
Bacchus Charmat 2017 A lovely scent of grapefruit and kiwi fruit leads onto a palate full of lemon, elderflower and cut grass; England on a Spring morning. The mousse is uplifting and has a good expression of tiny fine bubbles. A really refreshing mouth full. This is wine for lifting the spirits and raising a smile. 17
Sparkling Rosé Pinot Noir and Chardonnay 2015 The nose has a complex and light scent of fresh bread and brioche, with red apple hints, which leads onto a rich biscuity, complex palate. It has a fine balance of apple and red fruits with evolved nut and brioche with a smooth, harmonious feel. The wine is really well balanced and integrated, the mousse is mellow but tantalises the taste buds. This is drinking now but will hold for another 4 years. 18+
Woolton Wines are very individualistic and have started to accumulate some prestigious awards including a highly coveted Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge 2021 for the 2014 Sparkling Rose.
Chardonnay Pet Nat 2020 (750ml, 11.5%)
A young, exciting and fresh style of sparkling wine. Aromatics of fresh pears and lemon meringue with an off-dry palate filled with sherbet acidity, pear and a citrus peel finish.
Sparkling Rose 2014 (750ml, 12.5%)
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, Traditional Method
Notes of roasted nuts, lemon and brioche with a fine persistent mousse. This wine is dry with the fine ripe acidity balanced by the depth of fruit and autolytic notes.
Cuvee No.1 2015 (750ml, 12.5%)
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Traditional Method
A very special wine with a light scent of red apple and fresh brioche, leading into a rich, biscuity, complex palate with a smooth, harmonious feel.
Pinot Noir Brut 2017 (750ml, 12%)
Traditional Method
Pale Rose hue with light raspberry and rhubarb compote on the nose. The palate is deliciously dry and delivers gentle fruit notes, umami character with a vibrant and long-lasting mousse.
Sparkling Bacchus 2017 (750ml, 11.5%)
Bacchus, Charmat Method
A lovely scent of grapefruit and kiwi fruit leads onto a palate with tiny bubbles full of lemon, elderflower and cut grass. England on a Spring morning.
Bacchus 2018 (750ml, 11.5%)
A wine to accompany English summers and alfresco dining. A fragrant nose delivering green apple, mown grass and pear notes, leading to a deeply flavoured, vibrant, fresh and dry palate of apple, apricot and lemon with hints of tropical fruits. A long, zingy finish.
Still Rose 2018 (750ml, 11.5%)
Still Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
The nose offers the scent of strawberry and red plums with a touch of crème patisserie. The palate is dry and smooth with a touch of cranberry and cream, finishing fresh and clean.