About

We spent five years looking across the whole of the South of England for the perfect vineyard site and time has proven Higher Plot as top quality. We think that it’s only now as the vines are fully mature that the site is reaching its full potential. It stands out for several reasons. It is calcerous clay and loam on a White Lias Limestone Ridge that is similar to some of the greatest terroirs of Champagne and Burgundy. It is well drained, South facing and between 22 and 27M above sealevel which makes it very warm and receives maximum sunlight. It lies in a rain shadow formed by Exmoor, The Quantocks and The Blackdown Hills which is the driest part of the West Country having similar rainfall to all but the very driest parts of Sussex and Kent.

In all the years we have been here we have never experienced significant frost damage. Even in the most severe springs we have never lost more than 1-2% of the crop.

With the exception of 2012 we have produced crops with phenolic ripeness and in many years alcohol levels on the red cultivars would top 13%+ if we let them which is one reason why we are looking at making more still wines. When we planted we mainly used high quality Dijon clones as we have always aimed for full flavoured sparkling wines and kept open the option to make Still Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The vineyard is 1.1 hectares and It is planted with just over 3000 vines

Chardonnay Clone 76 Rootstock 161.49 Quantity 500

Chardonnay 96 - Fercal- 500

Meunier 900- SO4 - 1050

Pinot noir 777 SO4 150

Pinot Noir 667 SO4 800

As a rough average we produce about 6 tonnes of grapes per year which is above the national average. This makes around 4-5 thousand bottles which is sold direct to visitors and also to trade customers.