Forty Hall Vineyard release 2020 “Lockdown” Brut
London, November 2024: Forty Hall Vineyard (FHV) have released their 2020 vintage London Sparkling Brut with London-grown grapes harvested during the autumn lockdown of 2020.
The first commercial scale vineyard in London since the Middle Ages, and a pioneering social enterprise, FHV wines reflect the best of low-intervention, organic English winemaking.
Believed to be London’s first Sparkling Brut, it has been made for FHV by multi award-winning English wine maker, Will Davenport of Davenport Vineyards in the traditional Champagne Method, using single-estate, organically grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes, tended and harvested by hand by the volunteers at Forty Hall Vineyard in North London.
The 2020 Brut is a clean, fruity sparkler that has aged beautifully in the bottle to deliver aromas of green apple, pear drop and melon. Clean and fresh on the palate with a lovely balance of acidity to sweetness and flavours of crisp green apple, honey, apricot and brioche.
Emma Lundie, Head of Operations at FHV, said, “The 2020 Brut is really something special - not only because it has benefitted from three years on the lees, but also because it’s the outcome of an extraordinary year.
As any crop, vineyards were categorised by the government as part of the essential food and drink supply chain. This meant we were able to keep the project going, but our group of an average 30 to 40 regular volunteers a week became a named keyworking team of 4, along with 3 part time staff, who we referred to as the “Guardians of the Vineyard”.
Revisiting the Harvest Report from 2020 is a poignant reminder of that time. Although it only tells a fraction of the story of those months here at Forty Hall Farm... and the way our community found other ways of holding together, staying connected and supporting each other, even when they couldn’t be at the vineyard.”
FHV, which celebrates 15 years this year, comprises of ten acres of vines at Capel Manor College’s Forty Hall Farm in Enfield, North London. It is certified organic and committed to demonstrating environmentally sustainable farming and vine-growing practices. The vines are tended, largely, by a team of dedicated local volunteers, many working year round, in all weathers. They are at the heart of what FHV does.
Income from wine sales are put back into FHV’s ecotherapy project, providing health and wellbeing activities, and to help cultivate a happier and healthier community.
Emma Lundie continued, “The vines are beginning to shut down for the winter, but until we have a hard frost the leaves continue to photosynthesise, and the vines gain energy for next year’s vintage. Feeding the soil with compost created from the animal manure on the farm, and welcoming in the farm’s sheep to graze, provide a boost, putting essential nutrients into the ground that will benefit the health of the vines and replenish the nutrients lost during the growing season.
“We are delighted to release this sparkler – our Lockdown London Brut, in time for Christmas – a result of what was a challenging year for so many. Lovely with a creamy cheese, but even better enjoyed on it’s own. This is one to celebrate with!”
To purchase Forty Hall Vineyard wines, visit: https://www.fortyhallvineyard.com.
For further information please contact:
Diana Massey – [email protected]
Charlotte Allen – [email protected]
Editor’s notes:
Address: Forty Hall Vineyard, Forty Hall Farm, Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA
FHV has three wines available to purchase currently, all of which are single estate, certified organic and low intervention, produced by award-winning organic winemaker Will Davenport: FHV London Sparkling Brut 2020 (£35 rrp), Forty Hall Vineyard Ortega 2023 (£19 rrp, 10.5% ABV), and FHV’s Bacchus 2023 (£19 rrp, 11% ABV).
Forty Hall Vineyard is located at Forty Hall Farm, and was founded in 2009 by Sarah Vaughan-Roberts, in partnership with Capel Manor College who manage the Farm in Enfield, North London. It comprises of ten acres of vines, is certified organic and committed to demonstrating environmentally sustainable farming and vine-growing practices.
Forty Hall Farm is a 170 acre organic, mixed farm and local food hub. It has a variety of animals, including rare breeds and hosts a thriving community orchard, a forest garden and a new market garden. The farm’s meat, vegetables and fruit are sold to shops and restaurants across London and at the monthly farmers’ market. FHV contributes to Forty Hall Farm’s aim of bringing people together in the growing, cooking, and eating of local, organic produce.
The next Forty Hall Farmers’ Market takes place on Sunday 8 December 2024.
Vineyard tours and wine tastings are ticketed, with bookings taken via the Forty Hall Vineyard website. Tickets for next year’s tours, which restart in May 2025, are now on sale via the Forty Hall Vineyard website (children may accompany participating adults, but must be supervised).
FHV is easily accessible by public transport, with three train stations nearby (Enfield Chase, Enfield Town and Turkey Street). It is approximately 40 mins by train from Liverpool Street. The 191 bus stops at the bottom of Forty Hill. Check the TfL Journey planner for the quickest route from anywhere in London. There is also a car park at Forty Hall for those driving.
FHV’s London Sparkling Brut was awarded a Silver Medal in the Independent English Wine Awards 2018.
Corporate volunteering and support: FHV are delighted to discuss team-building activities, and ways they can help businesses meet their corporate social responsibility targets.