Ingrid Bates, owner and manager of Somerset’s Dunleavy Vineyards, is the latest guest to appear on the podcast Wine Flight. This podcast is hosted by Ben and Sophia Longhi with a special guest introduced each week. We chat to the guest about their lives and share a flight of four wines, two each presented by Ben and Sophia, and ask the guest to pick their favourite at the end of the episode.

Ingrid Bates planted her first vineyard at the age of 28. She would later be shortlisted as Young Grower of the Year and have her vineyard feature as the main attraction on the BBC’s The Food Programme episode, ‘English Wine’. How did Ingrid’s vocation for gardening turn into one of Somerset’s most successful English wine projects?

Sophia Longhi, recently named the winner of the IWSC’s Emerging Talent in Wine Communication, and I met Ingrid for out 10th episode of Wine Flight to discuss her wine journey. We talk about Ingrid’s love for Bristol, the challenges around growing the “heart break grape variety” Pinot Noir in the UK, and her natural talent for viticulture.

While we find out all about Ingrid’s story – she is a really brilliant guest! – we taste four wines from Japan, Hungary, Canada and Brazil. From Light and zesty Koshu to creamy, zingy Chardonnay; spicy and fruity Bull’s Blood to intense, inky-dark Syrah, this has all a wine fan could need.

Listen now below, or wherever you get your podcasts:

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Do you want to feature your wines on Wine Flight? Get in touch at office@benfrankswine.com.