Skin-Contact Bacchus by Saddle Goose

Skin-Contact Bacchus by Saddle Goose

Location: Kent / Essex, England
Grapes: 100% Bacchus
Style: English White | Skin-Contact / Amber-White / Natural-Leaning

fresh, aromatic, textured with a long finish | elderflower, peach, dried apricot | only 1123 bottles made

Winemaker(s): Saddle Goose — a small, adventurous English wine project, crafting wines organically where possible, using local grapes, and embracing minimal-intervention winemaking with character and personality.

Winemaking: Bacchus grapes undergo extended skin contact; fermented on skins to draw texture and phenolics, resulting in an amber-ish English white with structure, grip and depth — a departure from typical light, fresh whites.

Name Meaning: The grape is Bacchus, but “Saddle Goose” is the estate name — a playful nod to an old English expression meaning “a fool,” reflecting the founders’ willingness to take creative risks and do things unconventionally. This wine’s style is deliberately off-beat: an English Bacchus made with skin-contact, challenging t he idea of what English wine can be.

Interesting Fact: Although English, this Bacchus comes close to orange-wine territory — an exciting and bold example of texture, flavour depth and aromatic complexity from local grapes combined with a natural-leaning approach.

Serve With: Spiced or Mediterranean-style dishes, grilled prawns, charred vegetables, vegetable tagines, soft cheeses, or as a rich, textured aperitif for those looking for something distinct from conventional whites.

When to drink at Christmas: As an alternative aperitif