ABOUT OFF THE LINE
Off The Line Vineyard was established by the founders, Kristina and Ann-Marie, on a wonderful site in the Sussex Weald benefiting from south facing slopes. The site was prepared and the first vines planted in 2014. The focus is on growing Pinot noir, Regent, Dornfelder and Rondo, all red varieties.
OUR PEOPLE
Our founders, Kristina and Ann-Marie, are involved in all aspects of grape growing and wine making from grape to bottle. Their shared passion for making great wines ensures that our vineyard produces high quality grapes for our rosé wines every year.
Kristina, turned from law to viticulture and wine making in 2011. After two years studying wine production full-time at Plumpton and spending time working in France, Kristina recognised the potential for making quality English still wines and set about looking for suitable land in East Sussex with Ann-Marie, her civil partner.
Ann-Marie worked as a ceramicist and in fine wine sales before founding Off The Line. She shares Kristina’s passion for making great wines in a stunning part of East Sussex. Ann-Marie works closely with Kristina in all areas of vine-growing and winemaking.
We couldn’t make great wines without a dedicated group of part-time vineyard workers, volunteers and specialist vineyard workers from overseas. Our people help tend the vines all year round, support Kristina and Ann-Marie in the winery and pick the grapes at harvest.
OUR VINEYARD & WINERY
Our vineyard practices reflect our commitment to maintaining and improving soil health, conserving the environment and promoting biodiversity in the vineyard. All prunings are mulched annually, returning nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
Disease resistant grapevine varieties are grown that have high resistance to vine diseases, a major obstacle to successful vine growing. This greatly reduces the use of pesticides. The 13 hectare (32 acre) site includes species-rich pasture land, ponds and natural woodland, abundant with bluebells in the spring. It's a site rich in biodiversity.
Our wines are made from hand-harvested fruit left to hang until the acidity reaches naturally good levels. This is a particular challenge in England but can be achieved on the best south-facing slopes in the sunniest parts of south east England. Understanding the unique challenges that every year brings and being led by the quality of our fruit, our goal is to fashion innovative wines that stand out and impress with quality and style. No animal products are used to make the wines which are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Our purpose-built cedar clad winery was designed and constructed with sustainability a high priority. Grapes are pressed on site and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and then nurtured and matured before bottling. Energy usage is reduced by a careful choice of winery insulation. Wine making relies on the latest technology, scientific understanding and creative vision. Our winery gives us the facility to create outstanding wines form each year's harvest which have a sense of place. We apply the highest standards to the treatment of winery waste water and have in place a state of the art waste water treatment plant (a Bio-Bubble) which relies on bacteria and oxygen to process all winery waste water and other effluent. After pressing, grape skins and stems are composted on the site.