It’s not just about me! It’s all about the grapes!
A brief history of vine..
What is grown at Hebron…….
Solaris
Solaris is a variety of grape used for white wine. Created in 1975 at the grape breeding institute (“great name “) in Germany by Norbert Becker
Becker created Solaris by crossing varieties Merzling with Gm 6493 Gm 6493 The Prefix Gm refers to Beckers workplace Geisenheim grape breeding institute, where “Gm” serial numbers for Geisenheim were given for the each plant produced. It is commonly grown in northern European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. As of 2007, there were 54 hectares (54 Twickenham rugby pitches) of Solaris in Germany, of which 35 hectares (86 acres) were in Baden, where Freiburg is located.
Solaris has fruity and aromatic aromas with hints of gooseberry, citrus and elderflower and high acidity. It is considered to be suitable for dessert wines, as it ripens to high must weights. In cooler climate, with less sugar content, also as a dry wine suitable for fish, shrimp or chicken.
Rondo
Rondo is a dark-skinned grape variety, used for making red wine. It was created in 1964 by Professor Vilém Kraus in then by crossing the varieties. He offered it to Dr. Helmut Becker The variety was first planted in the 1980s by Thomas Walk Vineyard in Ireland under the name Amurensis Walk; and was renamed Rondo in 1997
This very early maturing variety possesses high resistance against winter frost. Rondo produces a ruby-red wine which is also used for blending. Rondo is cultivated in many locations in northern Europe where dark-skinned Vitis vinifera varieties are difficult to ripen properly, as it tends to yield good colour and aroma even in those locations. Rondo is cultivated in Rheinhessen and in many locations in northern Europe including Denmark, England, Ireland, Wales, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.
Meat: steak, beef casserole, and grilled meats.
Lamb :lamb dishes with rich sauces.
Delicate Meats: duck or game ,
If you like Solaris you might also like Bacchus, Madelaine Angevine or Ortega
If you linke Rondo you might also want to try Pheonix, Katherina or Schuyler
4 acres planted / 1.6 Hectares or 1 1/2 Twickenham rugby pitches
Vineyard, Hebron, Whitland SA34 0XS
Like most people you probably wondering why I’m writing about Welsh vineyards, seeing as you’ve almost never heard that Wales produces extraordinary wine. To date there approximately 30 Welsh vineyards and they are all producing exciting wine.
I’m not going to tell you what to drink; you have to figure that one out for yourself – I will , however, highlight producers. Highlight their fabulous stories and show off their sexy labels.
So over the next 12 months and with the help of a collab i’ll be highlighting this exciting region and hopefully most/all of the producers will appear on my online wine shop for you to order.
I was lucky enough, recently, to travel to the heart of Carmarthenshire and visit a a small vineyard nestled in the beautiful Preseli Hills. A small vineyard that is quietly producing outstanding wines. Only 4 Acres ( 2 Hectares or 2 Twickenham rugby pitches ) and planted in 2010 by its owners Jemma Vickers and Paul Rolt.
When i first visited the vineyard I was struck by the complete tucked away and sheltered site of the vineyard. Great for the protection of the vines from prevailing wines. Great for forgetting about the world and if a winemaker ever needed time to just look after the vines. This is the place !
Paul even pushes the fruit higher up the vine so that frost passes lower down on the vine and doesn’t reach the grapes – “very clever.”
Having been away from the UK for a period of time in Spain both Paul and Jemma decided that family life and starting a business of their own was the thing to do. Hebron was born !
Some producers over farm, use far too many chemicals, machine harvest etc etc. Not here. Hebron established a vineyard using
regenerative viticulture – using nature to restore vineyard soils and biodiversity while reducing dependency on synthetic chemicals. Healthy soils equals healthy and vigorous vines. Everything slows down!
We I met Paul he did say that the regenrative process is not easy. Moving away from pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers is always a harder option. Modern day chemicals sort out vineyard problems but Paul wanted the grapes to taste like their vines. Some chemicals can affect the taste and characters of the wine and as such he didnt want that !
He would like consumers to feel like the wine he produces reflects the love and passion from the vineyard and I think he has it spot on.
Finding your grape, finding what you like is not just about trying all the grapes ever grown – nor is it about trying what everyone else is drinking.
It’s about discovering producers that you like. Finding vineyards that interest you and find grapes that you are intrigued by. If you dont like natural wines and youve tried them dont waste your time looking for more of them. Wine is always subjective – what you like might not be what i like.
If you like Pinot Noir then find Pinot Noirs of the world. See what you like and see what you dont – but keep an open mind. You are allowed to try undiscovered grapes ! Just enjoy the journey !
If you are ever in Carmarthernshire and you see the Preseli foothills you are probably in one of the most picturesque areas of Wales, if not the UK – rolling landscapes and amazing vistas make this area perfect for getaways. Making perfect sense for Paul and Jemma to open up a dairy barn acccomodation.
Link : Hebron Vineyard Dairy Barn accomodation
Winemaking process is made with a variety of equipment , stainless steel tanks, wooden barrels, concrete eggs – even submerged underwater in bottles for 18 months at a time. One thing that Paul does is part age the wine in amphora pots, giving it a potential savoury and smoky note but also giving it that smooth roundfeel in the mouth.
Amphora used to give the wine its roundedness and great mouthfeel
What amphora does …….
Aromas Pure fruit, earthy, herbal, sometimes honeyed
Colour Whites often deeper gold/orange due to skin contact
Palate Textural, mineral, tactile, rounded
Finish Long, savoury, balanced by natural acidity
The Wines
Natural Amphora Solaris 2023.
pale straw, its unfiltered and unrefined so expect haziness as well as sediment
A whiff of salty sea air, a freshness with a citrus and tropical fruits . Candied fruits. Its like sticking your nose in a sweet shop and then running out!
light bodied with a refreshing mouth watering feel, elegant salty sea air again. With exotic fruits as before
Food Pairing : Herby dishes, Shellfish and clean white fish + fresh vegatables
Natural Amphora Rondo Rosado 2023 – Grapes Rondo 100%
pale blush, hazy due to its natural process and minimal intervention
red fruit, red cherry, raspberry with a toch of sweet fresh fruit compote
smooth texture with. the red fruit aromas on the mouth with a fairly short finish and a touch of. minerality.
Food Pairing : because of the lightness of the wines salads, fresh seafood and soft cheeses work well !
Tiriol Field Blend 2022 – Grapes Rondo 65% Solaris 35%
Savoury undergrowth aromas with cranberry tartness with a touch of cured meat
fresh with a slight touch of tannins and good refreshing acitidy – savoury notes continue here
Food Pairing : lightly spiced meats, root vegetable dishes, charcuterie, crisp salads and mild cheeses
Natural Amphora Rondo 2021
beetroot and bilberries, elderberry, cranberry and rosehip, cured meat.
beetroot and bilberries, elderberry, cranberry and rosehip, cured meat.
Light bodied, high acidity, low alcohol, fine grained tannins
Food Pairing : beef carpaccio, lamb, and roasted vegetables, as well as dishes featuring umami-rich ingredients such as tomatoes, nori, and Parmesan
Silver Lining 2018 – Sparkling – 100% S
clean with a whiff of pear and green apple. White flowers and something of a German bakery going on
ripe pear and apple, tropical melon; touch of malted biscuits
The wine has that question mark over it ! Somehing entices you in , something in its fruity characteristic and its soft mousse. You get a host of flavours. from the granny smith and lime on the palate to the slightly bready character on the finish.
If you want to try a new grape and try it from region where itflourishes. try it from Hebron Vineyard. You wont regret it.
.
“Triskele” White (100% Solaris)
“Triskele” Red 2019 (100% Rondo)
If you ever need a reason to try fabulous wine from a region you dont expect then you have try Welsh wine. So many winemakers have so much global winemaking experience there is always something for everyone.
if you like pinot noir you have to try rondo , if you like fruity of fruit forward wines then solaris is for you. There is a grape for everyone, a champagne for all you just have to find your taste.
Paul has made these two wines as light and bright wines – as usual he uses minimal intervention futher promoting the regenerative natural wine ideology. low alcohol in these wines also supports the food pairing for chilli heat, so enjoy with chinese,thai japanese and also mexican. Paul doesnt produce much so see the website for latest releases
“Triskele” White (100% Solaris)
Pale straw to light gold; slight haze – minimal fining
Citrus &, green apple, white flower. touch of stony sea breeze
Crisp acidity, medium body; citrus and apple / light stone fruit) a mineral edge
Food Pairing : Asian style cooking (Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese), ceviche, sashimi, seafood in citrus dressings, light salads, vegetable dishes with umami. The freshness and acidity will cut through spice and fat.
Over the Years ive been lucky enough to try all of the wines listed above so in this arcticle will be my tasting note experiences
All of the vines are maintained by hand from prune to training to harvest. The only intervention in the vineyard is that Paul rolls the grass around the vines. He manages the canopy’s, removing unwanted buds and later leaves.
Because everything is minimal intervention the wines are as a result of natural fermentation created by the grapes – there is no chemicals added nothing. What you get is what comes from the field !
His goal is Zero intervention in the vineyard and in the winery
Natural Amphora Rondo 2021,
Tiriol Field Blend 2022 and
Natural Amphora Solaris 2023
all achieved this goal.
A perfectly natural and pure interpretation of the 2022-23 terroir. Offering an unadulterated taste of place.
So….. What do you want . This is certainly a fabulous story and a great producer ( someone who wants to be different and produce incredible wines.)
These wines are not for everyone but if you you havnt tried Hebron wines you are genuinely missing out. Follow the linkes in this article to contact Hebron Vineyard and tell Paul you heard it from me !
Find your grapes !
Hopefully ive highlighted this producer, please visit their website and have a look at their accomodation. Link above
TGW
