Hello to June, the month of the summer solstice, the arrival of sunny days (we hope!) and the launch of our crisp, refreshing still wines, perfect for enjoying in the warm, lighter evenings…
We had a brilliant morning in the sunshine at our vineyard tasting event and following much anticipation, our 2018 Ortega and 2018 vintage Bacchus are now available to buy online from our Cellar Door, aka the Forty Hall Farm shop, at Farm events or from our online shop straight to your door.
Our wines can also be enjoyed in some fantastic new independent wine shops around London too ...
OUT AND ABOUT
If you're in East London, how about enjoying a glass of our wine in the garden terrace of one of our new stockists,Yardarm in Leyton, E10. Yardarm is a welcoming neighbourhood shop and bar/ cafe that celebrates good food and drink, working with small independent producers who have low intervention practices, quality, integrity and care about the provenance of their produce. We're delighted to be on their wine list.
If you're in North London, how about a summer picnic in Highbury Fields? Pop in to see our friends at Highbury Vintners whose independent wine shop is full of their handpicked selection of wines from producers of England and around the world. Pick up a bottle of our London Brut then stroll up to Highbury Barn to pair the wine with some oozy soft cheese from La Fromagerie , before strolling down to the Fields.
IN THE VINEYARD
Down at the vineyard our hardworking volunteers are embarking on the task of bud-rubbing and thinning of the vine shoots, a seemingly ruthless task whereby we remove the shoots and buds that are starting to grow on the lower parts of the vine, to help encourage the plant to send all the energy and nutrients into the grapes and canopy during this important growth time. Thinning reduces overcrowding of shoots in the canopy and eventually improves sunlight exposure to fruit it also improves air circulation to prevent mildew and other diseases.
10 YEARS OF FHV
This year is an important year for the vineyard team, it marks 10 years since we planted the first vines at our London based vineyard. In 2009 much to the surprise and laughter from some industry types, Sarah Vaughan-Roberts began to bring her idea of a commercial London vineyard to life with the planting of 1,500 Bacchus vines in her ‘perfect London setting’ on a sloping south facing field on an organic farm. The Telegraph were one of the first to report on this great adventure – you can read about the beginnings of our journey here
Next month we'll be sharing some stories from voluteers who have been with us for the full 10 year journey. There have been challenges to overcome, achievements accomplished and friends made, but throughout, we have remained committed to being socially, environmentally and financially responsible and having a positive effect on the local community.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
June 9th & July 11th - Forty Hall Farmers' Market (then on the second Sunday of each month)
July 27th - Livestock Festival at our home on Forty Hall Farm –
Our wines will be available to buy by the glass and bottle at both events
