Chardonnay Bacchus 2020 | Ark Wines @ Mount Farm Vineyards

A hazy, characterful Suffolk white - fresh citrus and pineapple with a soft, creamy finish.

A blend of Chardonnay and Bacchus from Ark's estate at Mount Farm in Shimpling, this is a wine that rewards patience - the 2020 vintage has had time to settle and develop, and it shows. Clean and fresh on the nose with citrus and a hint of pineapple, the palate is soft and rounded with ripe apple, tropical fruit and a gentle yoghurt-like creaminess on the finish.

True to Ark's winemaking philosophy, it's unfiltered and unfined, giving it a natural hazy appearance and a texture you won't find in commercially produced whites.

• Producer: Ark Wines @ Mount Farm Vineyards, Shimpling, Suffolk
• Vintage: 2020
• Style: Dry English white, unfiltered
• ABV: 11.5%

Grape & Dietary Info

Grapes: Chardonnay, Bacchus

Allergens: Contains sulphites

Dietary: Vegan; unfiltered and unfined - naturally hazy, some sediment may be present

FAQs

What does this wine taste like?
Fresh and citrus-led on the nose, with a softer, rounder palate - pineapple, ripe apple and a slight creamy yoghurt note on the finish. It's a food-friendly white with more texture than a typical English Bacchus.

Why is it hazy?
Ark don't filter or fine their wines, which means the natural particles stay in the bottle rather than being stripped out. It doesn't affect the taste - if anything it adds to the texture - but it does mean the wine looks cloudy rather than clear. Completely normal for a natural wine.

What food does it pair with?
Seafood, soft cheeses, chicken, creamy pasta and fish dishes all work well. The slight creaminess on the finish makes it a good match for richer white wine pairings that might overwhelm a leaner style.

What makes Ark Wines different?
Most small English vineyards send their grapes to a contract winery to be made into wine - Ark do everything themselves, on-site, from the moment the grapes are picked by hand to bottling and packaging. The whole winery runs on solar power, vineyard machinery runs on solar-charged batteries, and they're actively working towards eliminating fossil fuel use on site entirely. It's genuinely low-impact winemaking - not just in terms of air miles, but right through the whole process.