approximately 50 % of the plantings on the estate and is used to produce Biddenden Ortega and Sparkling Ortega Demi-Sec. From the spectacular harvest of 2018, Biddenden produced a truly exceptional wine from this variety, Ortega Late Harvest 2018, with a residual sugar of 122g / L; the highest naturally occurring sugar levels ever recorded by a UK vineyard.
Alongside celebrating our milestone 55th anniversary, 2024 saw Biddenden release a unique wine from the 2022 harvest, Biddenden Gewürztraminer 2022, the first of its kind in the UK. A variety that is very particular about soil and climate, the vine is vigorous, even described at times as unruly, and was originally planted at Biddenden in 2013 to see what sort of ripeness was achievable.
The Barnes family have always worked to the belief that winemaking happens in the vineyard. With a strong focus on agronomy year round, our passion and skill as growers and ability to constantly monitor the grapes and be totally reactive to the needs of the vineyard is one of the reasons that Biddenden wines are so exceptional.
Biddenden’ s plantings include white varieties such as Bacchus, Reichensteiner and Huxelrebe, as well as red varieties Dornfelder, Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir. First planted at Biddenden in 2018, Riesling is a variety the vineyard is particularly excited about. More vines were planted in 2023 and, with a good harvest in 2022 and 2023, the future is looking bright at Biddenden.
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