Blackbook winery releases ‘first’ London-grown wine since Roman era

South London’s Blackbook winery claims it has developed the first “London-grown, London-made wine since Roman times.”

The wine, Tamesis, is named after the Roman name for the River Thames, and is a single vineyard still wine made from Bacchus grapes grown at Forty Hall Vineyard, in Enfield, North London.

“Forty Hall Vineyard is the only commercial-scale vineyard in London and is run as a social enterprise engaging a committed set of enthusiastic volunteers,” said Blackbook’s co-founder Sergio Verrillo.

“It is certified organic, avoiding the use of synthetic fungicides, herbicides or fertilisers to encourage sustainability, biodiversity and natural balance. I am a winemaker who likes to follow a traditional winemaking approach with low sulphur wines and indigenous ferments, seeking to preserve the varietal characters in its wines.”

The label references three symbols: The component parts of the Thyrsus, a staff wielded by the Roman God of wine; the Battersea Shield, discovered in 1857 during excavations for the Chelsea Bridge; and the bee wing that is a reference to the honey laden Thyrsus, and the “buzzing army of volunteers at Forty Hall.”

The Tamess is the first in a series of three new releases from the winery. It will be joined by its “I’d Rather be a Rebel” 2018 rosé, and “The Mix-Up”, its 2018 50-50 Bacchus-Ortega blend.