Wildflower Wines: New Ham Street

 

We are so pleased to release a trio of new 2023 wines from Lucie & Jules at Ham Street, Kent.

These releases are a delicate, elegant expression of their biodynamic farmed vines at the edge of the Romney Marshes. Resplendent in new labels featuring the wildflowers found growing in the vines, it's a thrill to have these available for spring and summer. All movements in the cellar are by gravity, and all fruit was basket pressed.

CHARDONNAY BACCHUS is the result of direct-press Chardonnay blended with seven-day macerated Bacchus after they had both spent 10 months in fibreglass and barrel. Alive, mineral and with a lovely blast of ripe citrus. For the PINOT GRIS, fruit was hand de-stemmed and macerated for 11 days before being pressed to a single three year old burgundy barrel for nine months. Electric & saline, with a beautifully integrated twist of volatile acidity for lift, one that unfolds beautifully - only 299 bottles produced!

The new vintage of their FIELD BLEND is the most delicate iteration of the wine so far, intricate fruit, great length and with its signature acidity present & correct - Pinot Meunier & Noir make up 70% of the 2023 blend, with the remainder comprising Chardonnay (15%) Bacchus (10%) and a splash of Pinot Gris (5%). 9 days together as a semi-carbonic maceration, the wine was aged 8 months in old barrels. A thriller we can't wait to be drinking in the sun.

FOR WHOLESALE ENQUIRIES: HELLO@WINESUTB.COM

 

New Rare Releases from Ham Street

 

Lucie & Jules at Ham Street have been building up quite the stash of delights in their cellar – wines from their first vintages, produced in the tiniest quantities. We count ourselves very lucky to be able to share some of these with you now.

Alongside the new limited releases, we've also received a nice top-up of their brilliant 2023 Pet Nat.

For those unfamiliar, Ham Street is the project of husband & wife team Lucie & Jules, who planted four hectares of vines in 2019 on the edge of the Romney Marshes.

Certified biodynamic and following regenerative agricultural practices, the pair have a keen understanding that improving soil health and not upsetting the natural balance is the key to healthy fruit, and happy wines. Their first zero-sulphur releases were made in collaboration with Nic & Dan at Offbeat, Wiltshire.

AVAILABLE NOW

SPARKLING

NEW 2021 - Blanc de Blancs - Chardonnay

From their first harvest, aged in barrel 10 months before 20 months on the lees - a thrilling traditional method sparkling, bright, energetic and incredibly elegant. Only 216 bottles.

WHITE

NEW 2022 - Chardonnay - Chardonnay

The latest in their series of single barrel releases - from the bountiful '22 vintage. Fermentation and ageing for 20 months in Burgundy barrel before bottling in summer, 2024. Intensely mineral, long and complex - a beautiful wine. Only 144 bottles.

RED

NEW 2022 - Field Blend Reserve - Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Pinot Gris

The joyful result of holding back two barrels of their 22 Field Blend for 20 months of extended ageing. A wine that already had layers of complexity, has deepened with extra time in barrel, filling out its corners and gaining a long, soft finish.

FOR WHOLESALE ENQUIRIES: HELLO@WINESUTB.COM

 

Ham Street's Carbonic Chardonnay!

 

We are very excited to have just received Lucie & Jules at Ham Street Wines new CARBONNAY! 

It's a wine we've been eagerly anticipating since we first saw the fruit arriving at Nicola & Daniel Ham's Offbeat winery where the wine was produced.

The 2022 vintage was a brilliant year for Lucie & Jules, with plenty of sun through ripening leading to fruit with wonderful phenolic complexity, and good yields - they wanted to try and push the possibilities of their Chardonnay, to see what alternative expressions they could tease out of the variety. Photos of the Carbonnay process are below.

Grown organically and regeneratively, they decided to give the Chardonnay a 23 day whole bunch carbonic maceration in stainless steel before being basket pressed to a single amphora and aged for 10 months, with a further 12 months in bottle. 

Spontaneous fermentation, no additions, all movements by gravity and to the biodynamic calendar.

It's a brilliantly unique wine, a proper orange with texture and grip and we only have 252 bottles - get some whilst you can! 

AVAILABLE NOW

SPARKLING

2023 - Pet Nat - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus

WHITE/SKINS

2022 - Bacchus - Bacchus

NEW 2022 - Carbonnay - Chardonnay

RED

2022 - Field Blend - Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Pinot Gris

FOR WHOLESALE ENQUIRIES: HELLO@WINESUTB.COM

Ham Street Carbonnay 2022

Carbonnay In The Making

Jules picking Chardonnay at their Ham Street vineyard- him and Lucie have four hectares of mixed varieties, farmed organically, regeneratively and (certified since 2023) biodynamically.

A late-night Chardonnay drop in October to 2022: Lucie & Jules (Ham Street) driving their fruit up to the Salisbury winery of Nic & Dan Ham at Offbeat Wines to help make the 2022 releases.

Whole-bunch Chardonnay before its 23 day carbonic maceration...

... and whole-bunch Chardonnay after its 23 day carbonic maceration.

Nicola Ham (Offbeat Wines) inspects the just-opened tank of Carbonic Chardonnay.

Daniel Ham (Offbeat Wines) giving the Chardonnay a little battonage before pressing.

Nicola getting the Ham Street carbonic Chardonnay through the basket press before it is aged in amphora for the next 10 months - the final day of vintage 2022. 

 

Ham Street 2023 Pet Nat Arrives!

 

We are so pleased to release the 2023 vintage of Lucie & Jules' pet-nat!

It marks the first year in which they have reached biodynamic certification. From a cool, wet vintage in 2023, this year's pet nat is light on its feet, an energetic and bright expression of the spoils of a British summer.

A five-day carbonic maceration of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus, pressed to fibreglass, bottled shortly after to continue fermentation as a pet nat. No additions, and all movements according to the biodynamic calendar.

Their Pet Nat 23 is available now!

FOR WHOLESALE ENQUIRIES: HELLO@WINESUTB.COM

 

A British Wine Fair: 03/03/24 - Ham Street

 

We're very excited to be heading to Stockport in less than two weeks for a British Wine Fair on March 3: a collaboration with Isca, Where The Light Gets In along with ourselves and Bedrock .

They'll be opening the doors at WTLGI to over 10 of the most forward-thinking, committed winemakers and growers working in the country at the moment. Nearly all of the growers we work with will be joining, including Lucie from Ham Street who we'll soon be releasing new wines from!

Portrait of Lucie at Bedrock 2023, in her own vineyard by Bryan McComb.

Ham Street Wines is the project of husband & wife team Lucie & Jules, who planted four hectares of vines in 2019 on the edge of the Romney Marsh.

Certified organic, working according to biodynamic principles and following regenerative agricultural practices, the pair have a keen understanding that improving soil health and not upsetting the natural balance is the key to healthy fruit, and happy wines. Their first zero-sulphur releases were made in collaboration with Dan & Nic at Offbeat, and the build of their winery on the farm was completed in time to welcome the 2023 harvest.

 

An Evening with Ham Street at Isca

 

We're thrilled to announce that on July 1st, Lucie from Ham Street will be travelling up North for an evening with our friends Isca as we pour wines from Ham Street and our other UK growers.

The team at Isca have been putting a wonderful amount of energy and effort into championing English winemaking and viticulture, a huge vote of confidence for a budding scene from a team whose opinion we hold in high regard. They've been following the work of Lucie & Jules for quite a while, and we're delighted that they can finally welcome Lucie to Manchester for an evening of wine, food and conversation.

Reservations are recommended, walk-ins are welcomed. You can book now here, via Isca.