Madeleine Angevine

A crisp, dry white wine that pairs well with seafood, chicken and pasta. A Riesling cross from Germany, this grape thrives in cooler climates such as the South of England and is well suited to La Gallie site here in Guernsey

Tasting Notes: Aromatic, Floral, potentially a touch of citrus or salinity

Albariño

A refreshing dry white wine that pairs well with fish, light meats or as an aperitif. Most commonly found in Galicia, a coastal region of North West Spain, this thick-skinned variety of grape is well suited to Guernsey’s coastal conditions.

Tasting Notes: Citrus, Melon, Saline

Pinot Noir

A very popular light-bodied red wine. Depending on the style produced by the wine-maker it  can pair well with a very wide-range of food including chicken, pork, mushroom dishes, as well as charcuterie and certain cheeses. Traditionally grown in Burgundy, France but now found world-wide.

Tasting Notes: Red fruits (Cranberry, Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry), potentially smoky or spicy notes

Blanc de Noir

A sparkling white wine produced from Pinot Noir. Perfect for pairing with fish and chips on the beach, as well as for special occasions.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE

Great wines are the product of a healthy environment. Moreover, Guernsey is our home and we believe we have a responsibility to protect and enhance Guernsey’s natural environment through the ways in which we manage Reservoir View Vineyard. Regenerative viticulture promotes practices which enhance soil health and biodiversity. Additionally, we strive to identify ways in which we can further enhance the natural area. For example, with the support of Guernsey Trees for Life field boundaries have been repopulated with native hedging.

GUERNSEY’S climate

The UK wine industry is booming, with some areas of the south of England rivalling the most well-known wine regions in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of the quality of grapes they produce. The evidence shows that Guernsey has even higher growing season temperatures and lower frost risks than much of the UK, so there is incredible potential to create high-quality local wines.

The challenges of growing vines on a small island include the proximity to the sea, wind exposure and the availability of suitably sloping agricultural land. To minimise these risks we have chosen two sites and three grape varieties following extensive research, and consultation with experts in the establishment of vineyards.

FAMILY RUN

A family run vineyard owned and managed by Andrew, Jonathan and Lilyanne Guille.

We are pleased to be advised by Vinescapes – UK-based experts in vineyard management who have specialist knowledge of regenerative viticulture.

Jonathan Guille: Jonathan is WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2 qualified. He has a clear vision for Reservoir View Vineyard based on his knowledge of and passion for wine. Jonathan has been instrumental in choosing which varieties of grape to grow and will have core responsibility for the styles of wine that will be produced. He first got into wine around 2018 when we visited the Central Otago and Marlborough wine regions while on honeymoon in New Zealand, and his passion (some would say obsession) only grew as we regularly visited Tuscany – the home of Chianti Classico- as well as a number of British Vineyards on visits to the UK. He has a discerning palette and if he isn’t lining up a wine tasting or planning the vineyard then you’ll probably find him reading Decanter magazine!

Andrew Guille: Andrew brings with him extensive experience managing companies at Director level. Born into a Guernsey family of tomato growers, nurturing plants is in Andrew’s blood. He is keen to get involved in the daily management of the vineyard. He is also a strong advocate for biodiversity in the Bailiwick, including previous involvement in the Conservation Herd and the Bailiwick Bat Survey. Reservoir View Vineyard is a legacy he hopes to start with and pass on to the next generation.

Lilyanne Guille: Lilyanne is excited at the prospect of sharing locally grown wines with the community, and looks forward to meeting those who also champion local produce. With an MSc in Science Communication and professionally qualified in Market Research, she will apply her evidence-based approach to her roles in both the management and marketing of the vineyard.

We have a deeply held belief in the potential for Guernsey to produce a high quality wine, and we are excited to potentially be at the forefront of such a development. 

Information sources including climate data; soil analysis; evidence of the success of the British wine industry; as well as records of the experiences of other small vineyard owners and viticulturists have all informed our approach.

While this belief is founded in data, it is driven by a passion for how wine that is rooted in the land creates connections with people and places.

A passion for terroir – a connection with our place

Wine with personality transports you to the place it was grown. Jonathan in particular loves how terroir comes across in good wines, and sees it as another way of exploring new places around the world. He is immensely proud to start producing wines that showcase Guernsey in this way.

It is also another reason he is so keen on farming regeneratively -“You can taste the differences between regenerative and intensively farmed wine…’Good wine is made in the vineyard not the winery’ is a common quote, but one that helps sum up how I feel about what we are trying to achieve.”

A passion for shared experiences – a connection with other people

Sharing a bottle of fine wine can be almost ritualistic, from the pop of the cork and the clink of glasses, to the scent of the first sip and the sound of stories being shared.

Whether you are sharing with family, friends or new acquaintances, a meal and the wine that accompanies can transport you together to the place that it was grown.

A passion for horticulture – a connection with our past

This is an opportunity to continue the legacy of growing in Guernsey, but for the modern age. Like many, Jonathan’s Grandpa had a successful business growing tomatoes and freesias for export to the UK. In this context, choosing grapes is simply an adaption to climate change and changing consumer demand.