Introducing Hattingley Valley's First STILL Pinot Noir

We have some rather exciting news... Drum roll, please!

Today we launch our first-ever Still Pinot Noir! From our 2016 vintage, our first still red represents exciting times for our still wine range here at Hattingley, with an opportunity to expand our offering of still wines in exceptional growing years.

In the Vineyard

After a devastating frost in April, 2016 witnessed dry and settled weather in late September and early October providing great ripening conditions for the small crop of grapes. The pinot noir fruit was exceptionally clean with excellent natural sugar levels.

‘The first red wine to be made at Hattingley, we picked the ripest, blackest fruit from a select few rows of Pinot Noir, aiming for intense fruit character and some serious structure. Three years of ageing in old burgundy barrels has produced a wine that will partner brilliantly with your Sunday roast. Serious tannins are softened by the gentle oak ageing and rich dark red fruit to complement.’ - Emma Rice, Head Winemaker

In the Winery

The grapes were hand-picked selecting only the blackest fruit and carefully destemmed. After a four-day cold soak at 4°C to extract colour, body and flavour, fermentation took place at temperatures between 25°C and 30°C for eight days, with gentle punch-downs twice a day. The wine was then pressed off the skins and transferred into old French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. This softens the acidity and tannins to allow integration of complex oak flavours. It spent more than three years ageing in barrel before being blended, stabilised, filtered and bottled. If you would like to learn more about the winemaking process from grape to glass and take a sneak peek behind the scenes of one of the UK's largest working wineries, why not join us for a Winery Tour and Tasting experience at our Hampshire winery? 

The Tasting Notes 

A delicate red wine bursting with aromas and flavours of cherry, raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate, accented by hints of toast and dark chocolate. The fine tannins and balanced acidity provide an elegant structure and silky finish. Read the full tasting notes from our most recent vintage here.