Interview With The Winemaker And Co-Owner of Bluestone Vineyards – Nathaniel McConnell

English Sparkling Wine is becoming an undeniable contender to Traditional Method Sparkling Wines around the world, with an English Winery recently winning the World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly for 2024. To the English, it’s becoming a fan favourite and a go-to Glass of Bubbly, its quality is improving year on year and thanks to innovators and those willing to follow their dreams, the choice of English Sparkling Wine is expanding.

In this exclusive feature we speak with Nathaniel McConnell, the Winemaker and Co-Owner of Bluestone Vineyards, in Cholderton, Wiltshire, England, let’s find out a little about his life in the English wine industry

It’s Great To Speak With You, Nat, Can You Tell Us A Little About Yourself & How Your Incredible Journey Into The English Wine Industry Began?

“The wine journey started when my brother Toby and I were looking to diversify the farm and at options to maximise the smallholding, and we stumbled across viticulture and sparkling wine. It was at that point we discovered our parents had looked into having a vineyard a decade before.

Toby and I reinvestigated and decided it would be a really interesting project to work on and build something for the future.

Albeit not English, my wine moment was during a trip to Lanzarote to visit some producers. I learnt how they grew vines particular to the island and I found it fascinating that they can grow plants in such a windy and limited rainfall area, and that just really intrigued me. My understanding of wine then was very limited and it was the first time I understood and linked the volcanic soils and its impact on the character of the wine.”

How Rewarding And Challenging Is Managing Your Own Winery Vineyards?

“The vineyard is challenging, time-consuming and cost-intensive and can be quite isolating. There is quite a lot of solitary work and you have to like music and podcasts.

However, what is rewarding is the fact we have a finished product made from the fruit we have grown. We need to be better at celebrating moments like the lovely feedback from experts and critics, which validates our work. What is incredibly rewarding is when customers buy our wine and say how much they like it.

When It Comes To Pairing Your Sparkling Wine With Food, Do You Have Any Favourite Combinations That You Would Personally Recommend?

Cheese and charcuterie work so well, it’s super versatile, and you don’t have to overthink it. Our Saignée Rosé has an interesting flavour profile and works very well with game. We have paired it with pigeon breast and duck breast on tasting menus for pairing evenings at The Olive Tree in Bath and Ronnie’s of Thornbury near Bristol.”

If You Could Choose A Person In The World, Past Or Present, To Have A Glass of Bubbly With; Who Would It Be And Why? What Would You Drink And Why? What Would You Discuss?

“I am quite content with the people that I have around me. However, I would say Charles Heidsieck.

I recently read the book Champagne Charlie about Charlie Heidsieck’s escapades going over to America working with agents who weren’t paying him, trying to sell wine, throwing parties and ending up in prison because they thought he was a spy, as it was during the time of the American civil war. He certainly went through some stuff.”

Can You Share With Us Some Of The Wonderful Locations And Venues Around The United Kingdom That You Can Enjoy A Glass Of Bluestone?

• The Olive Tree in Bath
• Milford Hall and Allium in Salisbury
• The Red Lion at East Chisenbury
• The Bell at Ramsbury

What Future Plans Can Enthusiasts Of Bluestone Vineyards Look Forward To In The Coming Years?

“The wine is currently made for us by Hambledon, so we would like our own winery in the future to give us more control.

We would also like to focus on the detail in the vineyard, paying attention to regenerative viticulture more specifically. Plans include the integration of rare breed animals into the vineyards in a move towards grazing-based viticulture.

All of this will allow us to make the vineyard more of a centrepiece, building relationships with our customers, establishing a community around the vineyard and bringing people together.”

 

Thank you Nathaniel, for sharing your story and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Bluestone Vineyards & Nathaniel McConnell. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.