Harvest 2023

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Such an abundant crop!

This year we have exceeded all expectations and have harvested almost double last years yield. Last year it was a long and hot summer so we had incredible sugar levels but small bunches.

This spring conditions were perfect at flowering time in spring and so a bumper crop was set. We don’t want each vine to try to support too many bunches so in the late summer we did what is called green harvesting, so we took away the smaller bunches or the ones that didn’t look as healthy.

As we predicted it was a bumper yield, we are very grateful to the incredible picking teams supplied by Vitiscare. They work incredibly hard, for horribly long hours, sometimes in the pouring rain but always with a great camaraderie - one day i could even hear operatic signing drifting over the hills.

So now the hard graft is complete it is time to concentrate on the magic of turning pressed grape juice into beautiful wines.

Such an exciting and beautiful time of the year

Tripadviser reviews- September 2023

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Excellent Wine Tour

Sep 2023 • Friends

We had a lovely afternoon at the vineyard. Lucinda made us feel very welcome. A beautiful vineyard with views over Sussex. A tour of the grapes was informative and many questions were answered.
The wine tasting was interesting and fun. A good all round experience was enjoyed by our group of wine enthusiasts.

Lovely host, beautiful vineyard and brilliant wine.

Sep 2023 • Friends

Lucinda was brilliant at making the whole group feel welcome and relaxed. We had a lovely time learning about the vineyard, the wine making process, labelling etc. from someone who can literally do it all! I loved hearing stories about Blackdown Ridge Vineyard and Lucinda too whilst we got to taste some amazing wine; it really felt like drinking with a friend sharing lots of laughs whilst learning. I also don't like wine normally (but my husband and friends love it) and I loved some of the wine here so much that we went home with multiple boxes filled with the beautifully designed wine bottles. It was a lovely activity to do with partners and friends.

Delicious wine and great tour!

Sep 2023 • Friends

Went for the tine tour/tasting with a group of friends and had a great time! The vineyard is scenic and picturesque without losing any of it's quaint charm. In the grounds sits the winery where the tasting took place - Lucinda was warm, friendly and genuinely personable in a role that can often feel over-rehearsed at other similar tours. She spoke in great depth on the decisions behind every part of making the wine from shoot to foil, and really encouraged us to taste the wine in accessible way and focus on what we liked. It also helped that the wine, and snacks provided, were delicious! Really nice day out and would definitely recommend even to those who are new to wine.

 

Review - September 2023

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Dear Lucinda,

We had a lovely time on Saturday morning, the weather was perfect, the setting beautiful with fantastic views, the vines were looking so healthy and we were so lucky to be able to taste the grapes. You were very welcoming and you shared your knowledge freely and with humour. Then there were the wonderful wines and delicious nibbles, the whole experience was a delight..

June 2023

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Dear Lucinda, Many thanks for a most enlightening and enjoyable tour of Blackdown Ridge. With a light touch you managed to make it both humorous and  informative. Being able to walk along the vines, all the while taking in the most sumptuous views of the surrounding countryside, made is very special. We realised the cultivation of the vines and the skills required  for good wine production are a vocation. No wonder they make a great parable!

 The wine tasting was invaluable - the Sauvignon Blanc and Rose suiting our palate.

Late summer tour review, 2022

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I visited the Blackdown Ridge vineyard with two close friends, one of whom, is a ‘bit of an expert’ on all things vino!

 Finding the correct front gate to the vineyard was the only testing activity of the day!

 We were welcomed by Lucinda and immediately her very amiable approach set the tone for our visit. It was clear Lucinda is very knowledgeable on all aspects of viticulture & oenology and her delivery style was as if a good friend had ’as if by magic’ acquired wine expertise.

 We had a brief, but adequate, visit to the adjacent vineyard (the weather was a tad wet) and then settled down to the main course, which was tasting the wines on offer.

 While answering a plethora of questions from ourselves, (including testing ones from ‘the expert’) Lucinda walked us through the vineyard’s history, operation and wines. She also talked us through the very testing, but equally amazing, period of COVID lockdown, when she became the self-appointed wine maker. This proved she could ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’ or vice versa.

 We all enjoyed ourselves, purchased wines, passed on positive stories to others and those included comments on Lucinda’s natural ability to ensure, regardless of topic, a good ‘customer experience.’ A fairly modern term, but one that fits nicely. 

 And, I understand my friends returned for another visit with a larger group, a month or two later. A good reflection on the Blackdown Ridge vineyard.

 Thank you

Rod

Tripadviser reviews

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Vineyard tour and tasting

What a spectacular place, a beautiful setting. We were hosted by Lucinda who was welcoming and very knowledgeable, we had a tour of the vineyard, explanation of the process and then sampled a wide selection of their wines which we loved. They produce a variety of wines from sparkling to a very good red, the price point is excellent ,we will be back for more.

Amazing wines, scenery and value...

I booked the tour and tasting for a friends birthday. Lucinda was a great host, very knowledgeable, entertaining and passionate about their amazing wines. The scenery was incredible. A lovely platter of cheese, olives etc to go with the wine tasting made it a thoroughly enjoyable event...I would highly recommend...and amazing value for the price too.

Trip Advser reviews

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Vineyard tour and tasting

What a spectacular place, a beautiful setting. We were hosted by Lucinda who was welcoming and very knowledgeable, we had a tour of the vineyard, explanation of the process and then sampled a wide selection of their wines which we loved. They produce a variety of wines from sparkling to a very good red, the price point is excellent ,we will be back for more.

Amazing wines, scenery and value...

I booked the tour and tasting for a friends birthday. Lucinda was a great host, very knowledgeable, entertaining and passionate about their amazing wines. The scenery was incredible. A lovely platter of cheese, olives etc to go with the wine tasting made it a thoroughly enjoyable event...I would highly recommend...and amazing value for the price too...

Summer tour, August 2022

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Dear Lucinda,

 I just wanted to convey our thanks for what was a very enjoyable visit to Blackdown Ridge last Thursday.  You went to a lot of trouble to make sure everything went smoothly for us.  The guided tour of the vineyard was really interesting. With your expert knowledge of all aspects of viniculture, you  answered our many questions in a clear and friendly way. You are obviously passionate about your job - we do hope things go well for you with the future of Blackdown Ridge.

 We thoroughly enjoyed the wine tasting session, though I’m not sure we were able to successfully fill in all the boxes about the various characteristics of the wines! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to taste such a variety of Blackdown wines. The white sparkling  wine was  special.  I particularly liked the Triomphe - I do prefer red wine and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this British red wine.

Triomphe featured on Alan Titchmarsh's Love Your Weekend as Best of the Autumnal Reds

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Following a tasting with various journalists we were selected by wine expert, Aleesha Hansel, as one of the best in show. We were then invited to be included on her feature on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend, on Sunday 10th October , as Best of the Autumnal Reds. Five wines were featured and when asked which was her favourite, i was so proud when Aleesha chose Blackdown Ridge Triomphe!

Fabulously effusive review written by renowned wine writer, Matthew Jukes.

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2018 Blackdown Ridge, Triomphe
£16.66 (sold as 6 bottles for £100) www.blackdownridge.co.uk

Made from Triomphe d’Alsace and seeing 10 months in French oak, this is a dark, spicy, bonfire-tinged red wine with lovely black cherry fruit and masses of gusto. 

Relatively straightforward on the palate and generously juicy, too, this would be a surprisingly good steak wine such is the energy found here! Business Development Manager turned budding winemaker, Lucinda Colucci, told me that the 2020 vintage of this wine was, “made completely by me with remote directions from our consultant winemaker due to Covid-19 issues.” She continued, “I even trod the grapes. It was a big learning curve!” Because the 2018 vintage is getting low on stock I felt compelled to ask for a barrel sample of Lucinda’s 2020 and she kindly obliged. Needless to say, just you wait until this wine goes on sale – it is even finer and plusher than the suave 2018 with spicy, blackberry and plum fruit bursting out of the glass. These wines are genuine triomphes (sic).

https://www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk/not-that-weird-but-very-wonderful/ August edition 2021

Trip Advisor reviews 2021

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July 21

We just wanted to thank you for an absolutely wonderful morning on Friday. My father and I enjoyed the tour and wine tasting very much and it was made all the better by your warm welcome, generous hospitality, informative narration throughout and your entertaining stories. The location and scenery was stunning, enhanced by the beautiful weather we were so lucky enough to have. My father enjoyed his Fathers Day present immensely and said it was worth the wait! We'll be sure to visit again and have already recommended you to a number of friends and family.

Until the next time, thank you and all the best,

J & R

June 2021

Amazing day out

Booked the tasting and tour for a hen party. Lucinda our host was so friendly, knowledgeable and really made an effort to get to know everyone in the party. She gauged the tone of the day perfectly and there was a lovely selection of wines to try. We even had our own picnic on her hill afterwards - the scenery is STUNNING. I cannot recommend this tour enough - you will not be disappointed.

Fabulous way to spend an afternoon.

We had a fantastic day with a tour around the vineyard. Lucinda is very knowledgeable and the wines (especially the sparkling ones!) are delish 😋. Would highly recommend a visit if you're in the area. If we could give more than 5 stars we would!

Lovely place with a great host!

May 2021 • Friends

Had a fantastic time at Blackdown Ridge Vineyard. This place is the real deal, not commercialised or pretentious. Lucinda was an amazing host, she told us all about the vineyard which was not rushed, she was hugely knowledgeable and spent time answering our questions. Really beautiful place and the wine was fabulous and well priced. Definitely go! Thank you Lucinda!

Written 22 May 2021

Highly recommended

Apr 2021

Couldn't recommend this highly enough. Spectacular views across West Sussex at this highly rated vineyard which is clearly a labour of love for the owner and staff. Our host, Lucinda, was incredibly knowledgeable about the entire winemaking process, from vine to glass, and made the experience fun and informative. Obviously, the highlight of the trip was the extensive tasting session of six different wines so I would advise visitors to take the train to Haslemere and then either walk (approximately one hour through glorious countryside/National Trust land) or take a taxi (approximately 15 minutes) to the vineyard.

Written 24 April 2021

Another award, a Gold this time! ‘50 Great Sparkling Wines’ international competition

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Its been a while since i have written any news although it has been a busy time for us here behind the scenes at Blackdown Ridge. No hibernating for us, full swing with pruning for the next few weeks.

We are so excited to be able to announce that we have recently won a Gold Medal in the ‘50 Great Sparkling Wines’ international competition. This really helps put our new 2015 Vintage Sparkling Rosé onto the map, especially with the wedding industry now that spring is approaching.

Late August tour, letter of thanks

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A lovely trip to Blackdown Ridge Vineyard. The lovely Lucinda took us on a tour of the estate and explained the process. We were encouraged to try the grapes as they were growing and she took us through the challenges and highlights of growing, picking , pressing and making as well as branding and selling. This followed by a generous tasting of four wines and two  champagne style wines accompanied by cheese and crackers.

I would heartily recommend this tour. Set in a stunning location with wide ranging views over the downs. We have been on a few before but this was far and away the best.