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The Harbourne Vineyard was planted in 1979 in an area of south East England that was noted in Roman times for the quality of its wines. It covers 1.2 Hectares and the varieties of grapevine planted include Ortega, Regner, Muller Thurgau and Pinot Meunier. The vineyard is 15m above sea level on a gentle SE slope at High Halden, near Tenterden in the county of Kent 10 kms from the English Channel. The soil is a medium loam over Wealden clay and is very well drained.
The vines are spaced 1m apart in the rows with 4m between the rows and are trained to the double curtain system with high trellises, the fruiting wires are at a height of 1.6m. permitting good air circulation and maximum exposure of the fruit to the sun. Because of the height of the fruit, frost is less of a problem and the vines are able to take full advantage of the beneficial climate of this part of the Garden of England. The long growing season allows the grapes to assimilate the delicate flavours and aromas that are the hallmark of Harbourne wines.
Great care is taken to ensure quality. Grass is grown between the rows to break up the monoculture and to help reduce the build up of fungal and other problems and to maintain the soil structure. No insecticides are used and all the skins pips and prunings are put back onto the land so that only the occasional dressing of manure is needed. The vines are always hard pruned to reduce crop and ensure good quality.
In the winery manual basket presses are used to gently squeeze the juice from the hand-picked and selected grapes. This type of press cannot over-press the fruit and thus avoids the risk of off-flavours in the wine caused by crushed pips and stalks. Fermentation takes place at low temperature so that all the fine aromas are retained and not bubbled of in an over-vigorous fermentation. Likewise the wine is allowed to settle naturally in the cold of winter. No chemical additives or preservatives are used except sulphur in very small amounts. All Harbourne wines are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. All wines are GMO free. The wine is gently filtered and cold sterile bottled and aged in bottle for at least two years before being released for sale.
We produce several wines each year:
When conditions permit we also occasionally produce varietal wines, red wines and hand-made bottle fermented traditional method sparkling wines, both white and pink.
For details of the wines that we currently have available click on price list
If you would like to try our wines why not pay us a visit at Wittersham. For directions and opening times call, e-mail or write to us at the above address.
laurence@harbournevineyard.co.uk