Kent-based English winery Herbert Hall has announced it will adopt an En Primeur model later this year, offering most of its cuvees on allocation.
Speaking to the drinks business, winery founder Nick Hall said the quickly-expanding English wine industry needs to remain focused on its value and positioning: “The choice facing all of us is getting bigger and bigger and producing more volume or sticking to what you do best.”
Hall said the winery’s principles align closely with Champagne growers that are more artisanal and at liberty to experiment with winemaking. “So we’re going down that route.”
The winery was founded just eight years ago, and supplies its offerings to a number of fine retailers and restaurants, including Fortnum & Mason, Le Caprice and The Ivy.
While a number of partners will continue to receive supplies, Hall says most of the stock for private and trade customers will now be allocated in advance.
The new system will come into effect in September 2018, with the 2015 vintage of Herbert Hall brut and rose.
