Product Description
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Highweald, Hickstead, Pinot Noir Rosé, 2023, Sussex, England
Producer Profile
Highweald Wine Estate began in 2016 with a bold vision and 120,000 vines planted across the rolling hills of the Sussex High Weald – an area of outstanding natural beauty and one of England’s most compelling terroirs. From day one, our ambition was clear: to craft world-class sparkling wines without compromise.
The first harvest arrived in 2018, and the results spoke for themselves. In their debut year of release, Highweald was awarded Best Wine in First Year of Production, alongside both the English Sparkling Trophy and the Non-Vintage English Sparkling Trophy at the 2022 International Wine Challenge – recognition that affirmed the quality we set out to achieve from the very start.
Sustainability at their Core
Highweald farm with a light touch, prioritising soil health, low-impact vineyard practices, and responsible stewardship of our land. Every decision – from canopy management to harvest timing – is made to protect the vineyard for future generations while elevating the purity of each of their wines.
Conservation That Nurtures the Vineyard
Wildflower meadows, bat boxes, bird habitats, and flourishing hedgerows support the rich biodiversity that surrounds our vines. By encouraging these natural ecosystems, Highweald create a balanced, thriving environment that enhances vine resilience and vineyard character.
Viticulture
Nestled in the pristine medieval landscape of the High Weald, among rolling, wooded hills, lies Highweald Wine, one of England’s finest wine estates. The award-winning wines from Highweald are made with skill and expertise from ancient clay and sandstone soils, resulting in opulent wines that are satisfyingly complex and easy to enjoy.
Grown from carefully selected Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vines on Highweald’s Sussex estate, Hickstead Rosé 2023 beautifully captures the essence of an English summer in still wine form. Hand-harvested fruit from sun-kissed slopes yields enticing aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and a whisper of summer herbs, all lifted by a fresh, floral edge.
Winemaking
The fruit was whole bunched pressed to tank for primary and malolactic fermentation. Then the still, red Pinot Noir Précose (an early ripening clone) was introduced to bring colour and wonderful fruit aroma and flavour. Aged for several months in stainless steel on lees to enhance body and texture.
Tasting Note
Provençal style pale salmon-pink with an aroma of soft berry fruits, white flowers and citrus notes.
On the palate the wine has a supple body and a wonderful taste of red berries, peach, apricot, citrus, white spice and mineral notes with a crisp, refreshing finish. Delightfully approachable yet layered with gentle red fruit character and a bright, refreshing finish. Bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve purity of expression, this still rosé reflects Highweald’s commitment to terroir-driven winemaking, offering elegance, vibrancy and a subtly savoury depth that makes it an ideal companion for seasonal fare or simple, sun-soaked moments.
“For Hickstead Rosé, we wanted elegance above all – pale colour, vibrant fruit, and a mineral line that makes it wonderfully drinkable. The Précose addition brings real charm and aroma, while the lees work adds just enough texture for balance.” – Colm, Winemaker
Goes well with
Excellent with many diverse foods from Mediterranean to Chinese and Middle Eastern.
Cellaring
With careful cellaring could benefit from 2-3 years in bottle.
Features
Varieties: Pinot Noir 100%
Colour: Rosé
ABV: 11%
Closure: Natural cork
Style: Still Wine
Case Size: 6 x 75cl
Country: England
Region: Sussex
Vintage: 2023
