We sit down with Jacob Leadley, CEO and winemaker at Black Chalk, as harvest 2024 officially kicks off. In this conversation, we dive into the highs and lows of the season, where unpredictable weather and delicate timing can make or break a vintage. Jacob shares the unique challenges of crafting wines in England’s cooler climate, the excitement that comes with embracing the country’s ever-changing conditions and how Black Chalk continues to adapt, evolve, and thrive in this dynamic landscape.
What are your initial thoughts on the 2024 Harvest?
"The 2024 harvest is looking to be a dynamic and unpredictable one! It's going to be a case of picking fruit when the opportunity arises, rather than waiting for the perfect moment. Balancing quality and risk will be crucial, especially as we move through October.
On one hand, we’ll want to hold out and aim for ideal sugar levels and ripeness, but on the other hand, there’s the ever-present risk of unfavourable weather conditions. My major concern is colder weather from the middle of the month; we don’t want an early, hard frost! Despite these risks, I’m really excited about the fruit we’re seeing in the vineyard and the potential it holds for the wines"
How have the weather conditions affected the 2024 growing season?
"This year’s growing season has certainly been one to remember. The fact that we avoided any frost in spring was a huge relief and really set us off on the right foot. But, the colder and wetter conditions that followed during the growing season did create some challenges. As a result, we’ve seen lower yields compared to last year.
The disease pressure has also been very high, which made it a difficult year for vineyard management. That said, I have to give a lot of credit to James and Jim, who have done an incredible job in the vineyard. The fact that we’ve made it to October with healthy canopies and clean fruit is a remarkable achievement considering the conditions. It’s a testament to their hard work and expertise."
What do you think the standouts for 2024 will be?
"Pinots always do well in cooler years - 2021 was a great example of this, which was also a cool year and produced some exceptional Pinots. In fact, I’d say 2024 is shaping up to be even better than that, so I’m really optimistic about the Pinot clones we’re working with, especially for some of our more premium wines...it could be a great year for our premium Blanc de Noirs, Inversion!
As for Chardonnay, it’s been a little slower to mature this year, but we’re seeing promising results from some of our vineyard sites. The numbers look good and the flavours are certainly there, so I’m hopeful we’ll see great quality from our Chardonnays as well. One thing that stands out this year is the lower yields, which, while challenging, can also be a blessing, leading to more concentrated fruit. I think that bodes well for the overall quality and intensity of the wines."
So it's been a tricky year...have there been any highlights!?
"Absolutely! I’ve been making wine in Hampshire since 2011, and one thing I’ve learned is that difficult years can sometimes surprise you with the quality they produce. Contrary to what people might think, these cooler, more challenging vintages can actually result in some of the best wines. The longer growing season and slightly higher acidity levels really play to the strengths of this region. Hampshire excels at producing wines that are pure and vibrant, with delicate yet expressive fruit.
I’m particularly excited about what this vintage could deliver in terms of elegance and freshness. Sometimes, the wines that come from these challenging years have a complexity and refinement that wouldn’t be as pronounced in easier, warmer vintages."
What can we expect from Black Chalk in 2025?
"I’m really excited about the future for Black Chalk. We’ve now established distribution partners across the UK, which means our wines will be much more accessible to consumers throughout the country and more people will have the chance to experience our wines firsthand. This is something we’ve been working towards for a little while now, and it’s great to see it coming to fruition.
Our portfolio of wines is growing steadily, and we have several exciting new releases lined up for next year. As a winemaker, this is both thrilling and a little nerve-wracking! On top of that, the 2025 vintage is already on our radar. We’re always looking ahead, planning for the next harvest, and thinking about how we can continue to push boundaries and make each vintage better than the last. Fortunately, we have an incredible, passionate team here at Black Chalk. Their commitment and enthusiasm make all the difference, and I know we’re all feeling optimistic about the direction we’re heading in. It’s an exciting time to be part of the BC journey!
