The Clarence House vineyard is situated on a moderately sloping, rolling hill that faces north-east, enjoying the benefits of early morning sun without the harsh impact of late afternoon heat. There are seven varieties planted:
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Blanc
Tempranillo Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Each of these varieties is planted on own roots (other than a small section of tempranillo grafted onto sauvignon blanc roots) with a vast selection of clones to provide complexity and different blending options in the winery. The Pinot Noir clones include 114, 115, 667, 777, MV6, Abel, G5V15 (2051), D5V12 (8048) and D4V2 (Pommard).
The vineyard is managed conscientiously, with judicious use of inputs and sustainability in mind. Systemic herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are not used. The vineyard undervine area is slashed, the inter-row sward is left to thrive and flower, irrigation is used sparingly and the vine canopies are treated in such a way as to promote balanced, tempered growth in line with the current season’s conditions. In doing so, the Clarence House fruit boasts beautiful aromatics, fresh natural acidity and physiologically ripe tannins.