Black Chalk
Until last year, Hampshire’s Black Chalk operated at as a négociant, sourcing grapes from growers from around the county. However, as reported this month, it has now leased four vineyards in the Test Valley. Its new winery will be completed in the summer, ready for its first vintage using its own grapes this year.
CEO and winemaker Jacob Leadley, who was the winemaker at Hattingley Valley for seven years from 2011, began to work on his project full-time in 2018.
The site and the vineyards on the Fullerton Estate near Stockbridge were previously used to supply Cottonworth’s wines.
In a recent interview with db, Leadley has stressed that a collaborative approach to winemaking and experimental projects were the only way “to push English wine into a better quality bracket”.
Once the wines from the new sites are ready, Black Chalk will be entirely focused on making small-batch wines, exploring the differences between clones of classic sparkling wine varieties.
Leadley said the key is to “grow with intent” – controlling yields and producing the best fruit possible. He is also keen for his team to pursue their own projects – including a potential still wine – and is also intending to set up collaborative projects with formal education establishments.
