Sedlescombe Vineyard in East Sussex is poised to become the first English winery to make biodynamic wine later this year, after 30 years of farming organically.
The winery, founded and owned by Roy Cook, began the process of converting to Demeter accreditation under standards set by the Biodynamic Association this spring.
But it does not need to undergo a conversion period because of its existing organic status.
So the wines produced from the vineyard in the 2010 vintage will be biodynamic-certified, and are set to be released for sale from spring 2011.
Cook said that biodynamics – including the creation of naturally fermented products for use in the vineyards, and operating in tune with a lunar calendar – seemed to be a ‘natural progression’ for the vineyard.
‘Some of the most prestigious organic vineyards on the planet are biodynamic – from Frick in France to Milton in New Zealand and every wine-producing country in between – I am convinced the method works and am proud to be the first to product biodynamic wines in England,’ he added.
Sedlescombe was founded in 1979 and has a solid reputation in the UK wine trade. Jancis Robinson MW has spoken very highly of its wines.
Written by Richard Woodard
