Joel's Blog - Cowboy Wines
I've been following the work of Dave Morris for over twenty years. I first heard talk of his former project Ancre Hill, turning to biodynamic farming at his insistence all the way back then. It was also the first I'd heard of this farming system. He had been working at a large sparkling wine company in England and saw the devastation the chemicals wrought on the soil, inspiring him to learn about biodynamics.
Over recent years Dave has started his own project, Mountain People Wines, making wines from his own small vineyard in Monmouthshire and working as a winemaker for more progressive small vineyards principally based around Wales and Somerset. As we have seen the growth of UK winemaking, consistently I've always been enchanted by his, straightforwardness in talking about the wines, his knowledge and of course been impressed by the wines produced.
On a recent visit I was told of his new project in conjunction with George Price of Mayland vineyard, a blackcurrant farming family that had planted 1.2 hectares of vines, no-till farming without herbicides or pesticides. Dave & George have decided to team up, Dave making the wines with George's fruit. These wines, Cowboys Don't Have Curls are some of the most impressive I've tasted from these shores. The two wines below are now available at Wright's.
Blanc On Blonde 2023
100% Pinot Noir, pressed in whole bunches and then aged in 225l barrels. A blanc de noir, originally meant to make sparkling wine, but they liked the juice so much they bottled as is. This has lovely freshness, salty fruit and bright acidity, this wine had a very small sulfite addition at bottling. The name is of course a reference to the classic Bob Dylan record.
Ain't My First Rose 2023
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Johhaniter & Pinot Gris. A delicious delicate rose. The grapes were macerated whole bunch for 10 days. Then pressed and fermented in 600L egg and Stainless steel. This is aromatic, juicy and fresh with a bright acidity that makes it perfect for the summer months.