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After a slightly longer than planned break - we're back and joining me on today’s episode of The English Wine Diaries are Adrian and Galia Pike from Westwell Wines in Kent.
Their small, family-run winery sits beneath the Pilgrims Way and has about 70 acres under vine across two sites with plantings of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Regent and their signature grape, Ortega.
Before turning to English winemaking, Adrian and Galia both had successful careers in music.
Adrian co-founded the influential independent record label Moshi Moshi, launching artists including Florence and the Machine and Hot Chip before setting up the state 51 conspiracy, a digital music agency championing independent labels and artists. Meanwhile Galia was one half of the multi-award-winning electronic duo Psapp, best known for writing the Grey’s Anatomy theme tune.
However, an encounter with a glass of English still wine made by organic producer Will Davenport sparked the journey that led them to Westwell in 2017 and they now grow, make and bottle all their wines on site using minimal intervention and, where possible, wild yeast fermentations that express the individuality of Westwell’s Kentish terroir.
Adrian’s experimental, instinctive approach to winemaking and commitment to authenticity have made him one of the most innovative voices in English wine. Galia meanwhile brings her design background to Westwell’s distinctive visual identity, creating intricate, monochromatic illustrations inspired by microscopic details of the winemaking process on the labels.
Their philosophy is simple: plant well, respect the soil and make great, honest wines from brilliant fruit. They also want to make English wine fun and accessible – and this ethos was recently recognised when they were awarded the inaugural Small Cellar Door Award at this year’s WineGB awards.
Find out more about the by following @westwellwines or visit westwellwines.com.
Thanks to English Wine Diaries series sponsor Rankin Bros & Sons — trusted suppliers of corks, closures, and packaging solutions to the UK wine industry since 1774. To learn more about how Rankin is supporting the future of British wine, visit rankincork.co.uk.
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