Summer Trip to Offbeat & Hugo

Joanna and Kenza were recently invited to pay a visit to Domaine Hugo and Offbeat down near Salisbury in Wiltshire. Here we share some photos along with details of exciting new (and old!) wines...

(Dan in the cellar)

Dan and Nicola who started Offbeat in 2018 have been working out of Domaine Hugo for a few years now and have been recently joined by the helping hands of Paris Barghchi. Fruit is sourced from some of the best organic growers around the UK including Ham Street in Kent and Duncan McNeill in Crouch Valley, Essex. We have been huge fans since day 1 and especially admire the commitment to working without sulphur. Volatile acidity is encouraged but there is still a purity and precision to these wines that keep getting better every vintage. It's been a pleasure to follow the path of experimentation that each new cuvée takes us on.

Many Moons 2020 is a foray into extended barrel aged white wine. Inspired by the styles produced in the Jura, this blend of organic Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes from Crouch Valley, was treated to 24 months in new barrels. Complex and round with the acidity to match, this is a age-worthy and gastronomic.

Magic Number is another new arrival that picks up where the previous Field Notes range left off. A nix of different grape varieties, colours and vintages, it's another example of Dan's talent and passion for blending. And we are always on board when there is a dedication to De La Soul involved!

Wild Juice Chase has been a regular fixture for a few years now and if you have never tried, now is your chance. This is a lively red pet nat made from the Triomphe and Bacchus grape varieties that offers loads of dark, bramble fruit. Always reminds us of the English countryside in Summer. 

Watchtower 2023 sees the return of a popular old cuvée but now made with Pinot Noir rather than Pinot Meunier. The top quality fruit comes from Ham Street and creates a Summer wine full of energy and life. 

Pet Nat 2023 is a collaboration project with Paris Barghchi. This is a sparkling, skin contact wine with plenty of acidity, minerality and texture. The flavour profile is dominated by apple and lemon fruit with a touch of something tropical thrown in for good measure.

Finally, we have been thoroughly enjoying Offbeat's first venture into cider making. Sunbeams & Rainbows was produced with a range of different apple varieties from Smith Hayne's orchard in Devon. Made in the Pet Nat style with nothing added.

(Lunch setup in the Cellar)

Dan is also is in charge of winemaking for the Hugo wines where he gets to work with superb, biodynamic fruit that has been farmed immaculately by Hugo himself. In our opinion, the Champagne method sparkling cuvée Hugo 2020 is without a doubt one of the best natural wines produced in the UK. We also have a few bottles of the still white Two Times a Half 2020 , a wine made up of the same blend as the sparkling but kept aside as the base wine which then developed a layer of flor. A complex and unique wine with just 250 bottles produced.

(Hugo amongst the vines)

(Evidence of a good day's tasting)

Happy Drinking!