From Soldier To Winemaker | Martyn Pollock | Barrels and Roots

In this episode of the Barrels and Roots podcast, I sit down with Martyn Pollock, cofounder and managing director of Nine Oaks Vineyard, a family-run English vineyard in Kent. Martyn shares how he went from serving in the British Army and working in East Africa to selling his home, returning to the United Kingdom during the pandemic, and planting a vineyard with his wife. We talk about the unexpected realities of English wine, including unpredictable weather, frost, vineyard disease, changing consumer habits, and the challenge of building a recognizable wine brand from scratch. Martyn also explains why English sparkling wine is gaining attention, how climate and location influence every vintage, and why the experience surrounding a bottle can completely change how it tastes. This conversation explores traditional-method sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Bacchus, orange wine, vineyard ownership, small wine producers, and the importance of sharing the honest story behind every bottle. Do you think the story and people behind a wine can change how much you enjoy drinking it?