Westwell Ortega Skin Contact 2023

Adrian Pike took over the Westwell estate from previous owner John Rowe in 2017. This single estate vineyard is located on the chalky soil slopes of the North Downs in Kent, and is planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Ortega.

Prior to working in wine Adrian made his name in the independent music sector and has brought some of that spirit along with him into the English wine world. 

After graduating from Plumpton College,  Adrian gained experience at Davenport Vineyards, learning the importance, and sometimes difficulty, of organic viticulture in England. When he left to run Westwell he convinced viticulturist Marcus Goodwin (who was at Davenport for over 20 years) to join him.

Combined with a pragmatic approach to vineyard management and what is truly an exceptional vineyard site, we are thrilled to see the continuous developments occurring at Westwell. 

The Ortega grapes were harvested on 3rd October 2023, and destemmed into a variable stainless steel tank with fermentation taking place slowly using indigenous yeasts. After 17 days in contact with skins, the wine was pressed then aged in tank for seven months before being bottled, unfined and unfiltered, in May 2024.