Alder Ridge Vineyard

It is our vineyard’s Southerly facing land and chalky terroir that has made it the ideal location to establish grape varieties specific to the production of Sparkling Wine.
We planted our initial 5 acres of high-graft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in 2011 and managed to take a full commercial harvest off these in 2013, after an exceptional growing season. This crop went on to produce our internationally award-winning 2013 Blanc de Noirs and Classic Cuvée.

In 2015 we planted a further 2 acres of different classic Champagne varieties – Pinot Meunier and Pinot Précoce. These extra varieties allow us to enhance the character and flavour of the wines that we make, as well as help us balance the risk during the growing season, due to the fact we can harvest the Précoce at least one month earlier than the other varieties.
Our vines are tended by Jayne and Alison, who also manage the rest of the crops at Cobbs Farm. The care and attention given to each individual vine through the year continues to amaze us all. It’s a mighty effort indeed! Running an English vineyard has brought about immense enjoyment, as well as it’s challenges. One thing is for certain, and that is the future for English wine, which looks extremely positive!

Our vineyard’s name evolved when we were preparing our land for vines and pollarding a run of Alders on the Easterly boundary. The iconic Red Kite that features in our branding is seen daily at the farm, and as a species only recently re-introduced to the UK, we felt it was a very apt partner to the re-birth of English wine.