Where to start…

BSIXTWELVE and Lone Farm Vineyard were dreamt by Balbina Leeming, and eventually the dream came true when the vines were planted in 2014 with the loving help of her husband David. Following principles of organic, biodynamic, no till and regenerative agriculture our vineyard now thrives in the chalk and flint Hampshire soil, and only the best quality grapes are converted into wine via a low intervention winemaking process with spontaneous fermentation, no filtering and no fining at the core if it.

It is difficult to pinpoint how and where it all started, as I have memories of wine being at the family table for as long as I can remember, understandable as I am half Spanish and half Venezuelan. However, I think I can say that my romance started when I first went to a Vineyard in La Rioja when I was 19 years old (a long, long time ago) and saw the love and dedication, together with the hard work that was involved in taking care of the vines that culminated in a gathering of strangers and family members sharing happiness over this magical juice that was making everyone smile.

My Passion for wine… well that one I have cultivated over the years by incessantly tasting some of the most exquisite wines in some of the most varied places on the planet. My whole life has been one vineyard tour experience that has taken me to incredible corners of the world like Argentina, Australia, France, Italy , Spain and many more.

So FINALLY, in 2014 it was the turn of my dream to come true and in May after a lot of research (A LOT!), soil analysis and preparation, preparation and more preparation, etc, we planted the Vineyard. 2 acres of 100% Pure Heavenly Pinot Blanc grapes, and the rest is history, Hours of hard work that would have been even harder without the constant mentoring of Simon Woodhead and Tomas Bartlett, and of course the invaluable support of my husband David that is always there to calm me when panic strikes in this emotional roller coaster.

The name

BSIXTWELVE

PASSION, LOVE, LIFE.

What makes the name of a wine?

My name is Balbina and everyone calls me B, so that on its own would have been predictable. All my life I have been a bit obsessed with a book called THE LITTLE PRINCE written by Antoine de Saint Exupéry. At first glance, it is a children’s book, but if you pay attention, you will discover a tender tale of human nature in a very philosophical account.

The Little Prince has been a compass throughout my life and he had a PASSION at home in his Rose. He took care of her meticulously, showering her with LOVE, as I do with each and every one of my vines, from the moment they were planted, to the renewal of their LIFE every year.

BSIXTWELVE is an asteroid, the precious home of The Little Prince, in the same way that the Vineyard is mine. A place of joy, a refuge for sorrow and above all, where happiness is born to be shared with all involved in the journey to nurture and transform the grapes into wine.