At 12 acres, the Octagon Block is the most established on the estate. For decades orchards enjoyed the favourable climatic conditions, highlighting its future potential as a vineyard. It has an eclectic and diverse soil profile. Clay outcrops at the lower, southern end of the vineyard, but most of the vines sit on a plateau of gravelly loam.

The Octagon’s soil gets heavier and more tenacious the deeper the roots sink into the profile. The light loam topsoil makes this a warm site, and its high gravel content aids drainage, but eventually the mineral veil of London Clay takes over and closes everything down. Protection from prevailing south westerly wind is offered by Slough Wood, and a shelter belt of poplar running along the eastern field boundary.

The vineyard produces wines in its own image: full and expansive, but never too dense. Clay is renowned for producing powerful wines, but gravel pulls in the opposite direction. The wines share in this tension, balanced between light and shade, force and suppleness.