The lane from the main road was quite narrow with grass up the middle and high hedges but the drive was worth it. The hamlet dates back to 1400s and the farmhouse 1600s, it was so peaceful and unspoilt.
We were enthusiastically greeted by Jack and Benji whose company we enjoyed for all our visit. They were such fun, two brothers together at times carrying the same stick.
Iain and Jane have a hectare of vines growing two main grape varieties; Madeleine Angevine and Kernling. Iain took us up to see the vines in their winter state and explained all about the pruning, the new year's growth which was just appearing, and where the fruit would form. Some vines had been left higher so the frost would not damage the lower branches and some vines were designed to have fruit on higher branches to save the grapes being dinner for the local badgers.
It was so interesting to see how Iain and Jane work hard with nature, using no herbicide and encouraging the wildlife. All around the vineyard you can see nature; the apple blossom just budding, the leaves beginning to burst into leaf and the grass starting to grow. Working with the environment their winemaker is local and they use a lighter-weight bottles to help keep their carbon footprint low.
Under canvas, with blankets provided and a fire pit lit by Jane to keep off the chilly wind, we enjoyed a tasting of all four wines produced by Oatley Vineyard. Iain's explanation about the grapes, the wine names, the aromas and flavours all added to our enjoyment of each.
Our first tasting was Jane's 2016 was so clear in the glass with such a glisten to it's edges. A very clean wine full of citrus with herbal notes. We all enjoyed this light fresh wine with it's great nose of hedgerow fruits.
Leonora's 2014 was just a clear in the glass but with slightly more yellow in its colour. The nose on this wine had floral notes with a hint of sherbet, its flavour was full of lemon and just a little pineapple.
Our third wine was Elizabeth's 2015 which is made using both grape varieties grown at Oatley, another crystal clear wine but with a green edge, good quality olive oil colour. A fuller wine this had a herby, hedgerow aroma and a richer palate with a warmth to its flavour. This was my favourite wine, it was so smooth with a long elegant finish.
The final wine was Barrel Matured 2015. Iain and Jane have one French Oak barrique and each year produce just under 250 bottles of Elizabeth matured for 5 months in the oak. Each hand numbered bottle had a subtle oakiness with a touch of minerality. A more complex wine but for me again its cleanliness stood out.
We had taken a picnic along which we enjoyed with the remaining wine, much appreciating the blankets and fire pit. Undecided on which wine we preferred a bottle of each was purchased, I'm really looking forward to enjoying Oatley Wine in our garden this summer, remembering the peace and tranquility of this beautiful English vineyard in Somerset.
Thank you Iain and Jane, it was a pleasure to visit your vineyard and discover your superb wines.
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