shropshire Archives

End of the harvest

14 November 2019/in blog, VINEYARD

As the estate basks in the early morning autumn sunshine our dedicated vineyard and winery team pick the final few grapes of the harvest.

It’s been a season full of challenges, often dictated by mother nature. But through a late spring frost, inclement summer and reduced daylight we have been able to harvest an abundance of high-quality grapes which are vintage focussed and that will play an integral part in producing the very best Hencote Estate wines.

Harvesting is a busy time of the year for all concerned and we are extremely grateful for the support we received from our volunteer pickers. They braved the elements to select only the finest grapes, sorting them by hand in our winery to eventually moving them onto pressing and maturation.

We began harvesting on October 4th, two weeks later than our 2018 vintage and also ended two weeks later. The fruit has benefited from an extended period of hangtime on the vines enabling us to optimise their maturity that has led to the production of healthy grapes.

The climate always plays a part and despite the challenges faced we are very pleased with the purity and elegance of the fruit supported by a fine acid structure. Now we get ready for the winter months and work doesn’t stop just because the harvest has ended.

We are already planning for 2020 where we will have several new wine launches which we are very excited about and cannot wait to share with our guests and diners.

Win two tickets to our new menu launch

29 October 2019/in blog

It’s a double celebration at Hencote on November 7th as we launch our brand new menus here at The View Restaurant and Bar.

Our dedicated kitchen brigade has designed and created a fantastic selection of dishes ranging from British classics to modern cuisine, all of which celebrate the terroir of our region and incorporate our popular ‘Charcoa grill’ while matching with our wines.

The event marks the first anniversary since we opened The View and to celebrate we are giving away two complementary tickets, a bottle of our lifestyle wine and a wine tour and tasting for two people.

If you would like to enter all you need to do is head over to our Facebook page and like and share the competition post that is pinned to the top of our page, as well as tag the person you would love to spend the evening with.

The competition closes Wednesday 6th November at 12pm where we will announce the winner.

Good luck and we look forward to sharing a glass of ‘Hencote Estate Evolution’ English sparkling wine with you!

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*Wine tour valid until March 31st 2020.

*Lifestyle wine can be used for consumption on the night or taken away from our wine shop.

Setting the benchmark for red wine in Shropshire

28 October 2019/in blog

As we approach the end of the October Harvest there is no time to rest on our laurels. Vinification is a demanding process and after the picking, pressing and eventual bottling of our wine we can enjoy and share the fruits of our labour with others.

November 29th sees the launch of our first Hencote Estate Red from 2018. Winemaker Gavin Patterson and his team have worked tirelessly to produce a wine that is a carefully crafted blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Précose and Rondo; components of which are representative of the estate and history of the property.

The seamless integration of all three brings a crucial element to the texture and flavour of the wine. Pinot Noir is the backbone, while the Pinot Noir Précose provides flavours of black cherry and additional cranberry notes leading on to the deliciously savoury palate which finishes with gentle persistence.

The Rondo, while only a small percentage of the overall trilogy, still plays a large part and adds the colour component which gives the wine its dark and brooding nature. With twelve months of quiet oak maturation, the result is a wine that will set a high benchmark for red wine produced in the UK that others will be inspired to follow.

Deciding on a name for our wine is just as important as the vinification process itself. With this latest addition to our selection of estate wines, we have not only drawn inspiration from our family but from the dedication and passion to produce a wine that is befitting of the area and heritage.

We would like the public to join us as we ‘mark’ the occasion with our launch event which will be hosted by Hencote Estate General Manager Mark Stevens and Winemaker Gavin Patterson.

It has always been the vision of our family to produce a red wine since planting the vineyard, and now all the years of hard work and nurture have led us to this defining moment for the estate and vineyard.

If you would like to find out more about the event as well as book your table you can get in touch with the Hencote team here or email [email protected]

Glamping in Shropshire this winter

23 October 2019/in blog

The idea of camping during the winter is not always met with enthusiasm. The thought of wrapping up in layers of clothing or trying to stop an ice-cold draft coming into the tent can put people off an outdoors style adventure – but all that has changed.

If you have heard of the term Hygge which is pronounced “hoo-ga,” then you’ll know that this Danish concept encompasses a feeling of relaxation and fulfilment. It’s also about well-being and enjoying the simple things in life, such as curling up in front of the fire with your favourite book.

With the current glamping trend sweeping the nation luxury glamping is a unique way to escape to the outdoors without the hassle of pitching a tent. Even those who hate the idea of spending time outside under a thin layer of canvas will be surprised to learn just how relaxing glamping can be.

So if you’re looking for a winter break then check out our guide to make sure you get the most out of your winter glamping trip.

Heating

When it comes to glamping things are more modern nowadays. Most glamping locations will supply some form of heating during your stay. This could be radiators or better still, a wood-burning stove. If you’re really lucky then you could find a bathroom which has underfloor heating – just like we do here at Hencote; meaning you’ll never have to experience stepping on cold tiles after a hot shower.

Clothing & bedding

Winter in Shropshire can be cold, so wrap up warm and bring those essentials you’ll need for braving the outside. Of course, there is plenty to keep you warm at Hencote including wood-burning stoves and hot tubs. All our beds come complete with duvets and pillows to provide you with comfort, and above all else, warmth.

Hot tub

What could be more luxurious than sitting in a hot tub on a chilly winter’s day looking out across the South Shropshire hills? Glamping and hot tubs are the perfect combination and using them during winter is a unique experience not to be missed. At Hencote each one of our glamping lodges come complete with your own personal hot tub. We’ll even get it ready for you, so all you need to do is pour yourself a glass of our estate wine and relax.

Wood burner

Wood burners pack plenty of heat once they get going and they will be enough to heat the entire lodge. If you don’t have one at home then experiencing a wood-burner during winter is a must. Each lodge has a fully functioning wood-burning stove and we will provide you with everything you need to get a roaring fire going. Then it’s just a case of curling up on the sofa with a good bottle of red and escape your busy day-to-day life.

You will also be able to enjoy the delights of The View Restaurant and Bar which is just a short walk from the comfort of your lodge. Here you can sample the food created by our team of dedicated chefs who have produced a stunning menu to match our great selection of estate wines.

If you would like to know more about the accommodation available at our luxury glamping village and The Grange, then get in touch with one of the Hencote team who will be happy to help.