Over 22,500 vines planted across 23 acres
Our Grape Varieties
7,000 vines
Chardonnay
1,000 vines
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used in the production of white wine. The variety originated in the Burgundy, but is now grown across the globe. At Calancombe we are growing Chardonnay, primarily, for our sparkling wines because it can bring finesse and balance of acidity to the blend. Some flavours that can emerge, particularly with extended time on its lees, include a creaminess and nuttiness with some floral notes.
Madeleine Angevine
Madeleine Angevine is a white wine grape originating from the Loire Valley and a cross between Madeleine Royale and Précoce de Malingre. It is early ripening and is particularly well suited to Devon’s cooler climates and produces an attractive aromatic wine with a floral delicate character. It is good as an aperitif and pairs particularly well with seafood such as crab and oyster. We grow the Madeleine x Angevine 7672 variety, not to be confused with the table grape of the same name, which produces abysmal wine!
Bacchus
3,400 vines
Named after the Roman God of wine, Bacchus is particularly well-suited to the Devon climate, producing fragrant, fresh, crisp and citrusy English white wine developing good ‘New World sauvignon blanc’ characteristics. It is ideal with fish and salads.
Pinot Noir Precoce
2,000 vines
Pinot noir precoce, (known in Germany as Frühburgunder) is an early ripening form of Pinot Noir probably developed through selection in many different Pinot growing regions, such as Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, and Loire. The grapes produce wines virtually indistinguishable from Pinot Noir and the vines do particularly well in the cooler climates of South Devon.
Pinot Gris
1,000 vines
Pinot Gris (also known as pinot grigio in Italy and or Grauburgunder in Germany) is a white grape variety. Thought to be a mutant clone of pinot noir, it produces pinkish, grey berries accounting for its name. We use it for producing a still aromatic white wine.
Ortega
2,250 vines
Ortega is a white grape used for white wine. It was created in 1948 in Würzburg, Germany and is a cross between Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe and was named in honour of the Spanish poet and philosopher José Ortega y Gasset. Ortega ripens early, is not sensitive to frost and reaches quite high sugar levels and can be used for sweet wines as well as dry. Ortega wines have aromas of muscat and peach.
Pinot Noir
5,800 vines
Originating from the Burgundy region, Pinot Noir is regarded as one of the World’s most charismatic varieties. Although challenging to grow, the grape can deliver outstanding wines. At Calancombe, pinot noir is the principal grape used for our English sparkling wine made using the classic ‘double fermentation’ process. Also when sugar and acidity levels are right we will use it to make a delightful rosé and in warmer years a red wine. The name pinot (pine) noir (black) refers to the tight pine-cone-shaped bunches and dark fruit. Their thin skins produce a delicate red colour and low tannin content.
