Why we believe in the power of English Pinot Noir
FROM BATTLE TO BOTTLE – THE STORY OF TUMBLEDOWN HILL
Many people ask us why we are putting our faith in English still wine, particularly English red wine. It’s a risk for sure but perhaps one with significant rewards.
One side effect of a changing climate is that we are beginning to see English red wines with riper fruit and real potential. Abingworth wanted to be at the forefront of this movement from the get-go, to stand apart in a region known for sparkling wine and to look toward the future of English winemaking.
The Heartbreak Grape
Pinot Noir is one of the most prized and popular grapes in winemaking globally, known for its elegant and complex flavours, it can thrive in cool climates such as ours. It is also known widely as the ‘heartbreak grape’ as it is challenging to grow.
Its tight bunches and thin skins make it susceptible to disease, uneven ripening and low yields. It takes time, effort and luck to cultivate Pinot Noir which also requires a very delicate touch in the winery as it is prone to oxidation and issues with fermentation.
That hasn’t deterred us. Our Tumbledown Hill vineyard site is devoted entirely to Pinot Noir, our only single-varietal planting plot. When we first laid eyes on this beautiful slope, surrounded with age-old oak trees and grazing sheep, we thought this is a special place and might just have the aspect and climate to grow Pinot Noir in England fit for elegant still red wine.
UNCOVERING THE STORY
Not always known as Tumbledown Hill, the site has been part of a farm since the 13th century and has many interesting stories to tell. We honour much of the farm’s rich and often quirky history in our branding and wine labels, and we saved one of the most intriguing for our Pinot Noir.
Before Abingworth Vineyard, there was Champions Farm, which played host to an infamous local battle. In the 13th century, during the reign of Edward I of England, Rush Field, not far from our vineyard site, was the scene of a violent dispute over tithes.
Two rectors—John le Suche of Chiltington and Martin of Thakeham—arrived with their supporters, each intending to claim the same dues. When they met, the confrontation quickly turned physical. John struck Martin with an iron fork, and one of his men shot him in the chest with an arrow. As Martin fell, another attacker moved in with a hatchet.
He was saved only by his servant, who intervened and killed the assailant with a bundle of wood.
Now a sight of such beauty and tranquillity, it feels unbelievable that this incident happened not too far from Tumbledown Hill. The large oak tree in the centre serves as our gentle focal point, guarding the vines and acts as a peaceful place to pause. It reminds us that the vineyard is only the latest chapter in a much longer story.
WHAT DOES TUMBLEDOWN MEAN?
The name alone suggests something a little rough around the edges — not necessarily the first choice for one of the most particular grape varieties in the world. But that contrast is part of what drew us to it.
It began as a nickname we used affectionately as a family, due to one of the planting consultants describing the grass as what he would call ‘Tumbledown’. We liked it as it evoked a feeling of calm and character in equal measure. We couldn’t get the idea out of our heads of naming a wine Tumbledown Hill – a nod to a place we love.
The site itself is a small, south-facing slope — just 1.8 hectares — with sandy, free-draining soils and steady exposure to light. Air moves easily across the site, which helps the fruit ripen slowly and evenly. If Pinot Noir has a chance of success, then this is just the place.
Tumbledown, in its definition, is an odd name for a site with Pinot Noir, a grape that is particular about where it succeeds. In contrast to its energy, it is beautiful in its pronunciation – in itself, it is soft and almost lyrical.
By naming both the site and our Pinot Noir still red wine Tumbledown Hill, we draw directly from Abingworth’s rich background and present landscape. This connection to history and landscape is reflected in our winemaking, where traditional techniques are combined with modern technology.
As the newest custodians of this land, we embrace both the responsibility and the privilege of honouring and celebrating its legacy.
AN ENGLISH STILL RED?
The 2024 vintage is our first real glimpse of what this site can do.
It is a surreal feeling to hold a bottle of the long-imagined ‘Tumbledown Hill’ in our hands and share it with others. We experienced some of the expected challenges along the way, but we are proud of the result.
Our first vintage greets the palate with bright Morello cherries and a hint of violet. Fine-grained tannins and soft, nurturing spice lead to a lingering, velvety finish, where smoked plum and ripe raspberry emerge, showcasing the finesse and balance of English Pinot Noir.
WHY THE DOG?
Our wines all feature lead characters inspired by the stories and landscape around us. For this wine, there was no better choice than our border collies, who continue to watch over the farm and vineyard.
In the label design the curious collie picks up an arrow found on the site, representing the relics left behind by that distant conflict. Collies are naturally observant, alert, and involved in everything around them—a fitting companion to the story of Tumbledown Hill.
SO NOW YOU KNOW THE FULL STORY …
Picture bringing a bottle of Tumbledown Hill to a table with friends or family, and sharing not just the wine, but the reason you chose it.
It’s a story you chose to discuss with others, about courage in English winemaking, about celebrating the past and looking to the future and about artisan English wine with great flavour. So, when you uncover it, it’s something quite remarkable.
A wine for the inquisitive. A wine for sharing. A wine you won’t forget easily.
Tumbledown Hill is available in our online shop.
Read more about Champions Farm, Abingworth and the history of our beloved vineyard here.
