Martin's Lane VineyardMartin’s Lane Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

“This classically structured Chardonnay shows understated white peach and nectarine fruit character on the nose, with a touch of mandarin orange. On the palate a hint of toastiness underpins the sensation of gentle fresh fruit; an elegant Chardonnay in traditional style. A must for those appreciating the purity and aroma of traditional cool climate Chardonnay!” Neil Tully MW. The Martin?s Lane Vineyard site is situated in a designated Special Landscape Area occupying south and west facing hillside between 20 and 55 metres above sea level with stunning views across the River Crouch estuary in Essex. Importantly for grape production in this country the site benefits climatically through protection from the river tides against spring frosts in a corner of Essex having regularly the warmest temperatures and lowest rainfall in the United Kingdom at less than half a metre per annum. The 30 acres of vineyard has slopes of up to 1 in 6; because of its steep gradients the site had never previously been used for arable farming except for a brief period in the forties during the Second World War. As a result the meadowland retained a good organic top soil layer above the rich local clay and good drainage and high fertility were assured throughout.