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REVIEW: Cool Climate WineTasting at BrickhouseVineyard – by Lauren Heath#AdBY LAUREN ON JANUARY 20, 2019 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

The meal provided in this review was gratis. Views expressed are independentof the business and is not seen or approved before publication.

Brickhouse Vineyard is one of the newest grapes on the vine – as the EnglishWine movement grows, we are very lucky here in Devon to be surrounded by ahigh concentration of vineyards for the area.

I had seen Brickhouse Vineyard appear on my social feeds, and what reallycaught my eye was the style of the building. I was born and raised into my earlyteens in Cape Town, South Africa, where roundhouses or ‘rondavels’ were acommon site on our holidays and adventures; the earthy buildings ooze asimplicity that is beautiful in my eyes. In adulthood, they now make my heart singand are the perfect types of venues for an honest celebration or event.

Husband and wife owners, Joanna and Matt moved from the big smoke down toDevon in 2015, as many do, for a change of pace and a more suitable

MONDAY, APRIL 15TH, 2019 |

Situated between the sunny slopes of Haldon Hill and the River ExeEstuary, this idyllic location combined with Devon red soil provides aunique microclimate in which the grapes thrive.

environment to bring up a family. They certainly haven’t gone for the quiet lifethough. Building and renovating, tending to the existing vines, starting abusiness, as well as Joanna educating herself through WSET(https://www.wsetglobal.com/) wine courses and Matt studying vineyard maintenance.

All whilst being parents to two young girls; but parenthood and passion driveyou. And Joanna and Matt have certainly driven this business forward in a shortspace of time, holding small corporate events, wine tastings, and weddings –boutique celebrations or elopements for two. They have featured in bridalmagazines and have produced a bumper 2018 vintage thanks to the wonderfulsummer we experienced.

I was delighted to be invited along to their inaugural cheese and wine tastingevening. An evening of tasting cool climate wines, whilst learning about foodpairing with not only cheese, but charcuterie and seafood as well. It was co-hosted by the lovely Rebecca Mitchell who Joanna was taught by on one of herWSET courses and they have a tangible admiration and respect for each other,through the love of wine. Rebecca is a DipWSET CMS Certified Sommelierand WSET Wine Educator based in Devon – well known with an excellent CV and

Joanna says: In 2015 we could see the potential in the Grade II* listedhouse, one of the very first houses in Devon to be built from handmadebricks, the threshing barn with the attached Round House, or horse gin,and the vineyard. After nearly three years, the Round House renovation iscomplete and the vines are producing around 1000 bottles of wine a year.

client list from small eateries to Michelin starred manors who engage her servicesfor advice on their wine offering.

It was sadly already dark outside so I was unable to see the far reaching views,and vines but the glow from the building was wonderful. The room had anethereal warmth to it, wonderful wood flooring, bare brick, earthy wooden tableswith touches of colour brought in by the food and wine. A perfect palette to showoff the goods – I imagine this has the same effect for weddings and othercelebrations.

I was lucky enough to have the pleasure and company of some of Joanna’s localfriends and supporters at my table – they had even helped with the harvest, andrallied round when they needed it. There was a great atmosphere at our table, allthe tables in fact.

Between Joanna and Rebecca, wines were introduced, described, sniffed,swirled, sipped, gargled and swallowed with enthusiasm (if you are thenominated driver, spitoons are provided). Information sheets were suppliedinforming us of all the wines and accompanying food items and their origin. It waswonderful to see such support for local produce to help show off bothBrickhouse Vineyard’s own wines, and other cool climate wines from furtherafield. The pairings were mainly with specific cheeses but then we were toldwhat else it would be partnered well with too.

We enjoyed nibbling on:

bread from Dartington-based The Almond Thief – sourdough, rye andwholemealcharcuterie from Topsham’s Good Game – chorizo, Tuscan salami and coppafish and shellfish from Exeter’s Fishes – prawns, smoked salmon and whitecrab meat. Rebecca also made a wonderful pate from the brown crab meatand gin!

Rebecca says “Cool Climate sites offer pure varietal expression, exquisitearomas and uplifting acidity which give wines balance, freshness andrestrained alcohol.

These aromatic wines are sourced from Cool Climate countries with fewersunshine hours and cooler temperatures such as Germany, Austria,Switzerland, England, Canada and New Zealand. But climate can also beaffected by latitude, altitude and proximity to bodies of water. Cooler sitescan be found along the coastal strips of warmer countries like Chile, or inhigh altitude locations such as the foothills of the Andes in Argentina, or inmountainous regions such as the Alto-Adige of Italy.

These delightful Cool Climate wines are a welcome alternative to the big,powerful, high alcohol wines from hotter climate regions such as Australiaand South Africa.”

Tastings were generous and included White, Rose and Reds:

Sauvignon Blanc by Brickhouse Vineyard 2015 – fresh green, passionfruitgooseberry. Paired with Cornish Yarg, which matched the wines palate ofsaline from the soil.2017 German Reisling Halbtrocken (Half Dry) with Sharpham Elmhirst (Devon).The cheese was creamy, and moussy.Regent Rose by Brickhouse 2016. Lovely cranberry colour, summer fruitflavours and a hint of grapefruit and paired with Vulscombe Goats Cheese –which was sour and piquant.Pinot Gris Rose by Saint Claire Vineyard NZ 2017. It had a salmon colour, andtasted of strawberries and cream. Paired with a chalky Cricket St Thomas briefrom SomersetPinot Noir by Tramin Alto Adige (Italy) 2016, grown high up in the dolomitesas it is cooler, stored in old barrels which give it a subtle smoke. Paired withCornish Blue.Cabernet Franc (60%) – Carmenere (40%) by Oveja Negra, Chile 2017. Thiswine had a herbal lift of mint and eucalyptus paired with Quickes maturecheddar, aged 12-18 months, with wonderful crunchy crystals.

It was a really informative, communal-dining style event. Tasting, sharing,chatting, nibbling – it was a really great evening with warmth and generosity inthe offering and from the hosts. It’s obvious Joanna is not in this just for thebusiness and bank rewards; she exudes passion about wine, food pairings,people, their beautiful property and is happy sharing it and their story with others.

I would highly recommend attending an event at Brickhouse Vineyard, and sharein Joanna and Matt’s dream. From the big smoke to the life on the vine; I wishthem plenty of luck, but to be honest they don’t need it. This is a result of visionand sheer hard work, and they deserve the recognition, interest and momentumthey are gathering. I’ll drink to that. Cin Cin!

P.S. Definitely nominate a driver, or club together for a taxi, it’ll be worthit!

Joanna and Matt – listening to Rebecca speak

Brickhouse Vineyard

Wedding, Corporate and Event Venue

Mamhead, near Exeter, EX6 8HP (for sat nav/google maps use EX6 8GZ)

Website (https://www.brickhousevineyard.co.uk) Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/BrickhouseVineyard/) Instagram

(https://www.instagram.com/brickhousevineyard/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/BrickhouseVine)

Rebecca Mitchell DipWSET

Website (http://rebeccamwines.co.uk/) Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaMWines/) Instagram

(https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamwines/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/rebeccamwines)

*I was offered a complimentary ticket to attend this event at Brickhouse Vineyard;this does not affect my views or opinion.

Published by LaurenPA & Office Manager, One of Exeter's Most Influential Women 2018,Exeter PA Network member. Co-Editor & Food Blogger for Dining

Devon, Guest Food Writer for Crumbs Magazine Devon, major all round foodie.All my photography using the latest Samsung smartphone. Hospitalitybackground, wife to The Lost Chef and mum to 1. View all posts by Lauren(https://diningdevon.com/author/laurenheathpa/)

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