For the final feature about artisans working in the New Forest area I turn to those creating drinks – alcoholic and other! GIN Founded in 2017 Beachcomber Gin is based in Everton and specialises in
For the final feature about artisans working in the New Forest area I turn to those creating drinks – alcoholic and other!
GIN
Founded in 2017 Beachcomber Gin is based in Everton and specialises in creating gins with a “sweet silky” taste, using botanicals such as orange, lime, and lime. This craft distillery is based in Pinetops nursery and can be contacted on 07716 232462 or look at their website http://theginstall.co.uk.
WINE
A family-run vineyard in Bramshaw hand picks their grapes, ferments, and bottles onsite at Burnside Farm. Still and sparkling wines are on offer and this artisan producer can be contacted via Facebook, on 02380 813619 or email on info@brookhillvineyard.co.uk. Grown on vines planted in 2012 the vineyard is run by retired husband and wife, Ian and Amanda, with help from family and friends at harvest time. They tend to split tasks between them, and it works well – gaining expertise from helpful wine producers, Plumpton college courses and learning from mistakes. Their wine now wins prizes and is sold across the New Forest area and beyond – each year Brook Hill produces between 3000 – 3500 bottles from the 2500 vines on the 2.5 acres of land. The vines are home to many nesting goldfinches, which requires great care at pruning times.
Further south in the New Forest in Sway is the oldest vineyard in the area where the south-facing sunny slopes are surrounded by the forest and the grapes are grown on the well-drained gravelly sandy clay soils. This was traditionally called marl – hence the vineyard’s name: Marlings Vineyard. This location allows a slow ripening of the grapes, and the resultant wines are served in the Houses of Parliament. Viticulturist Piotr Nahajski is an award-winning master winemaker, and the Sparkling Rose gained a Silver medal in the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards. Established in 1990 the vineyard produces still, white and rose wines and you can get in touch on hello@marlingsvineyard.co.uk. Or via their website https://marlingsvineyard.co.uk. As Marlings is a private home they cannot have visitors, but their wine can be bought throughout the New Forest area and information about stockists and other vineyard news is on the website. Marlings commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by their use of environmentally friendly labelling and packaging and allowing wild areas to flourish unmown throughout the summer to create a magical and vitally important habitat for wildlife, particularly the pollinators.
Based at Setley Ridge Paul and Hayley Girling have been growing grapes and offering tasting of their fine wines since 2001. Their farm shop is in the grounds of the garden centre and nursery just outside Brockenhurst – look on the website for details or you can contact the vineyard on 01590 622246.
CIDER
Based in Burley in the heart of the New Forest the Cider Pantry produces dry, medium, sweet, Kingston Black, Perry and bottled ciders and you can go along and try at the tearooms or café. Every autumn a Cider Festival is held here and their full juice draught cider, free from artificial colouring or flavouring, is the centre of the celebrations! To find the cider pantry, park in the village and follow the instructions on the barrel by the Post Office to make the short stroll to the farm. Here visitors can taste the unpasteurised cider straight from the barrel, which is made from locally grown apples as well as some from Somerset and Herefordshire. Look on the Facebook page to find out more and to see dates of special events or contact on 01425 403589 or via email enquiries@newforestcider.co.uk.
BEER
A microbrewery based on a former pig farm near Brockenhurst, PIG BEER has developed a great following since setting up in 2017. Two brothers and a cousin Tom, Lawrence and Harry established their artisan business due to their shared passion for great beer and commitment to use quality ingredients and run their brewery sustainably. Growing their own hops onsite and collecting rainwater in a huge tank the team have not only developed a range of beers but also offer snacks and other drinks in their beer garden and shop onsite.
The beers on offer named SESSION, STORM, SAUBER, LINGO, BLAK, CHERRY and RADLER will meet the preferred tastes and flavours of the most discerning beer lover and the three artisans have an ethos of “passion meets expertise”. Look on their website www.pigbeer.com , on social media or email on hello@pigbeer.com.
JUICE
If you are seeking something alcohol free with a fresh taste made locally then I would recommend the apple juice made on the Beaulieu estate and sold in the Motor Museum.
