So Far So Good Chardonnay Northern Wine 2023

So Far So Good Chardonnay Northern Wine 2023, natural wine from grapes grown in Essex but fermented and matured in Kendal, Cumbria.  The grapes for this amazing wine were hand-harvested in October 2023 from the Clayhill Vineyard in Crouch Valley, near Colchester in Essex. The growing season was cool but the grapes were fortunately harvested before the Autumn rain set in.  The grapes were transported north to ferment in the Kendal based wine making cellar occupied by Harry and Stacey, the dynamic couple behind Northern Wine.  The grapes were destemmed by hand before an overnight cold soak followed by a gentle pressing in their horizontal basket press. The juice was then naturally fermented and aged on the fine lees in 400L neutral oak barrels for 22 months.  The aim… to produce an elegant, textural chardonnay which showcases the variety’s potential in England.  The wine has great texture and length with notes of orange, subtle spice and a nutty, mouthwatering finish.

Northern Wine is made up of two determined young roaming wine makers, Harry and Stacey (Isn't that a well known TV comedy???). They met doing a harvest in the south of England and soon hit it off and decided that they wanted to make wine for themselves. Stacey came with a wealth of experience having travelled and worked as a wine maker in her native South Africa and beyond. But their next step was a brave one for sure.

Harry hails from the north of England near Kendal and in a bid to return to his roots and start a unique new project, they decided to start making their wine in his home town. But there are surely no vines in the Lake District I hear you say. Well no, but they had established good contacts with growers in the south east and decided to source fruit from southern vineyards but elaborate the wines 'naturally' of course using northern yeasts and environment. Their make shift cellar located in a small warehouse in Kendal provides a good environment for what they want to achieve, high quality natural wines made in the north!

The first vintage of 6 wines, 2 white, 2 orange and 2 red has been an incredible success and most have sold out within weeks.  We secured a few bottles of the delicious Bacchus and stylish Chardonnay.  The wines have a touch of funky northern soul about them and at the same time are very drinkable, relaxed and well balanced.  They show the potential of this new project and the two talented young wine makers at the Helm.