Culver Classic Cuvée

We aim for Culver, our pinot-dominant Classic Cuvee, to be more rich and broad in character than Corallian, its chardonnay-dominant counterpart. This difference is highlighted in the warm 2020 vintage base wines, with bright red cherry, cranberry and apple blossom on the nose, and black pepper and cola on the palate.

Just 15 minutes from Dorchester, the Crawthorne Vineyard is located on a sheltered south-facing slope 90 metres above sea level in the Dorset AONB. The soil consists of a shallow clay loam, containing flint, over deep Cretaceous chalk.

The grapes for the base vintage were picked in October 2020 and gently pressed, whole bunch. Press fractions were carefully separated and left to naturally settle for 24 hours. Primary fermentation, with indigenous yeasts, took place in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and used oak barrels, followed by complete malolactic fermentation.

Following 8-9 months of élevage, the final blend, complete with reserve wine from our 4000 L concrete tanks, was bottled and left to age on lees for a minimum of 14 months.