Woodfine: radically natural wines and ciders from a farm on the edge of the Chilterns who have measured the impact of their regenerative approach
Website: https://www.woodfinewine.com/
In 2021 Richard Woodfine left his job and took over a 16 acre farm in Seer Green, Buckinghamshire. On the edge of the Chilterns, the farm wasn’t in a good way. But Richard had a vision, to farm organically and regeneratively and to make zero zero natural wine and ciders. In addition, his vision was to create a community around the farm, and give back to the local community by sourcing everything locally. I visited in the relatively early stages, and more recently tasted through these wines and a cider.
Significantly, he has made an effort to chart the progress that this new way of farming has achieved in numbers. I’m attaching the five year report here, because it’s an impressive effort:
Woodfine Interconnections Part 1 Lightly Sparkling Cider Brut Nature
7% alcohol. Full red colour with a brick rim. Tangy, dry and bright with sour cherry and raspberry fruit as well as bright citrus. Quite powerful with some tannins, finishing dry and tangy. Very gastronomic in its dryness. Lovely. 8.5/10
Woodfine Interconnections Part 2 Brut Nature Col Fondo NV England
11% alcohol. A blend of Pinot and Chardonnay, with no additions, no added sulfites even. Quite a full pink colour, and as you’d expect from a Col Fondo, this is slightly cloudy. Beautiful tart cherry and redcurrant fruit, but it’s not jarring or harsh. Juicy and energetic with the acidity well integrated into the textured fruity flavours. Has a bit of spicy bite on the finish. So well done: this has a touch of crunchy apple on the finish, and it shows good purity, with the Col Fondo style helping with the mouthfeel. I really like this! 92/100 (£35 direct)
Woodfine Lost Vagus White 2023 Buckinghamshire, England
11% alcohol. This is Chardonnay, part barrel, part stainless steel, with some carbonic maceration and no additions. This has quite a bit of dissolved carbon dioxide, and lovely aromatics of apple and pear, as well as some lemony detail, and also some notes of lychee and pineapple. The palate has ripe apple and lovely texture, with good acidity and some mandarin richness. Resolves beautifully with a tangy finish. Very subtle oxidative hints. The fruit is quite generous. 91/100
Woodfine Lost Vagus Rosé 2023 Buckinghamshire, England
11% alcohol. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, stainless steel and oak, direct pressed. Attractive pink/orange colour with lots of dissolved carbon dioxide. Apple, cherry and mandarin nose. The palate is fresh and sappy with nice green hints, but also good acidity. Everything is in balance, with an energetic, tangb finish. Light and expressive. 90/100
Woodfine Lost Vagus Red 2023 Buckinghamshire, England
11% alcohol. This is Pinot Noir raised in a mix of stainless steel and oak barrels. No additions. It’s a pale red/pink, more like a rosé than a red, and it has quite high dissolved carbon dioxide. It’s really pure, supple and elegant with light red cherry and redcurrant fruit, and a lovely balance, with the acidity present but not sticking out. Fruity, light, juicy and with an immediate drinkability, this is really fun. Beautfiul fine spiciness on the finish. Hints of pepper, herbs and a sappy green note in the background. 91/100
