Westwell, Ortega Skin Contact, 2022
Why We Like It
Having moved from the music industry into wine ourselves, we feel a certain kinship with Westwell winemaker Adrian Pike. The two go hand in hand; both an endlessly spiralling black hole of genres and regions, artist and producers, vintages and albums, record labels and well… labels.
Westwell finds itself situated on Kent's chalky soils, perfect for planting the three Champagne varieties that go into their wonderful NV. But the main reason we were first attracted to them was a review their amphora aged Ortega that flagged it as one of the most interesting wines in England. A couple of taps on a keyboard later, this orange blossom scented textural delight had us converted.
Digging a little deeper, is seems Adrian may have left the music industry behind, but kept with him the undying urge to discover something new. Whether that's making pink pet nat, or finding the best way to work as sustainably as possible in England's wet climate.
Westwell are making some of the best, and still somehow under the radar, wines in the UK. If you want taste of what is to come from the vineyards of England, have a try of Westwell yourself.
What To Expect
The Ortega spends two weeks on its skins to draw out the full gamut of aromatic complexity here. Fermented in stainless steel, aged in used burgundy barrels to round out the palate, then bottled unlined and unfiltered. This is a textural experience of apricot, orange blossom and beeswax.
Ortega / 10.5% / Kent, England / 75cl
Why We Like It
Having moved from the music industry into wine ourselves, we feel a certain kinship with Westwell winemaker Adrian Pike. The two go hand in hand; both an endlessly spiralling black hole of genres and regions, artist and producers, vintages and albums, record labels and well… labels.
Westwell finds itself situated on Kent's chalky soils, perfect for planting the three Champagne varieties that go into their wonderful NV. But the main reason we were first attracted to them was a review their amphora aged Ortega that flagged it as one of the most interesting wines in England. A couple of taps on a keyboard later, this orange blossom scented textural delight had us converted.
Digging a little deeper, is seems Adrian may have left the music industry behind, but kept with him the undying urge to discover something new. Whether that's making pink pet nat, or finding the best way to work as sustainably as possible in England's wet climate.
Westwell are making some of the best, and still somehow under the radar, wines in the UK. If you want taste of what is to come from the vineyards of England, have a try of Westwell yourself.
What To Expect
The Ortega spends two weeks on its skins to draw out the full gamut of aromatic complexity here. Fermented in stainless steel, aged in used burgundy barrels to round out the palate, then bottled unlined and unfiltered. This is a textural experience of apricot, orange blossom and beeswax.
Ortega / 10.5% / Kent, England / 75cl
Why We Like It
Having moved from the music industry into wine ourselves, we feel a certain kinship with Westwell winemaker Adrian Pike. The two go hand in hand; both an endlessly spiralling black hole of genres and regions, artist and producers, vintages and albums, record labels and well… labels.
Westwell finds itself situated on Kent's chalky soils, perfect for planting the three Champagne varieties that go into their wonderful NV. But the main reason we were first attracted to them was a review their amphora aged Ortega that flagged it as one of the most interesting wines in England. A couple of taps on a keyboard later, this orange blossom scented textural delight had us converted.
Digging a little deeper, is seems Adrian may have left the music industry behind, but kept with him the undying urge to discover something new. Whether that's making pink pet nat, or finding the best way to work as sustainably as possible in England's wet climate.
Westwell are making some of the best, and still somehow under the radar, wines in the UK. If you want taste of what is to come from the vineyards of England, have a try of Westwell yourself.
What To Expect
The Ortega spends two weeks on its skins to draw out the full gamut of aromatic complexity here. Fermented in stainless steel, aged in used burgundy barrels to round out the palate, then bottled unlined and unfiltered. This is a textural experience of apricot, orange blossom and beeswax.
Ortega / 10.5% / Kent, England / 75cl