Superstar DJ creates English grape harvest mix

Legendary house DJ Danny Rampling has created a ‘Harvest Playlist’ after joining the grape pickers at a Sussex wine estate.

Danny and Ilona Rampling picking grapes at Kingscote Estate in West Sussex (Photo: Hugh Nutt)

Joined by his wife, Ilona, the dance music pioneer volunteered to help bring in the 2015 harvest at the 150-acre Kingscote Estate in Sussex.

The Ramplings were the inspired to compile a Harvest Playlist following their stint in the vineyard. The playlist can be found at the bottom of this article.

An enthusiastic supporter of English and Sussex wines, Rampling showed a keen interest in the winemaking process and spent time in the winery with Kingscote’s winemaker Owen Elias to learn about what happens once the grapes have been picked.

“I’m a big fan of English wine and especially enjoy trying the wines where I live in Sussex,” Rampling said.

“English wine has come on leaps and bounds, and is a far more sophisticated product in recent years, with hugely passionate and knowledgeable wine producers raising the quality standards.”

Kingscote Estate released its first vintage last year. As well as producing a sparkling Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier blend, the estate also makes dry whites from Chardonnay and Bacchus grapes, along with a line of sparkling cider.

The grapes being picked at this year’s Kingscote harvest included Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc.

“The Bacchus is delicious,” Rampling said. “It is my favourite wine; the flavours just explode in your mouth.”

Vinyl to vine
Credited as one of the key figures in the birth of the acid house scene in the UK in the 1980s through his London club Shoom, Rampling was also one of the main influences, along with Paul Oakenfold and Nicky Holloway, in bringing the so-called ‘Balaeric sound’ to UK from nightclubs in Ibiza.

Rampling played for the original pirate Kiss radio station in the early 90s, broadcasting the popular ‘Love Groove Dance Party’. He transferred the show to BBC Radio 1, where he was a regular DJ for eight years.

In recent years Rampling, who married wife Ilona in 2013, has swapped the all-nighters for gastronomy and has taken an increasing interest in English wine production.

“I find the whole winemaking process fascinating, from growing the vines, through to harvest time and the artistry in the winery,” he said.

“I love to cook with fresh ingredients and match a dish with wine. I think it’s so important to support local food and wine producers. This is an industry I want to see succeed and grow, and we can all enjoy the fruits of their labour.”

Commenting on the 2015 harvest at Kingscote, which has just come to a close, winemaker Owen Elias echoed the optimism of Chapel Down and Gusbourne Estate, saying that the vintage looks to be “very exciting”.

“2015 has turned into a good year for Kingscote,” Elias said. “The quality and volume of the yield has been very exciting to see. The aromatics of the Bacchus in particular were excellent.

“The harvest started late and we continue with picking in November. A sunny September and October has given us the boost we need after a cool summer. I’m really pleased with the levels of sugars achieved.”

The pickers at Kingscote may be helped along in their labours by the following Harvest Playlist, compiled by the Ramplings following their experience in the vineyards:

Harvest Playlist by Mr + Mrs Rampling: 

Hotel California – The Eagles  

Champagne Supernova – Oasis

Sweetest Thing – U2

Superfly – Curtis Mayfield  

Music and Wine – Blue Six (Mig’s Petalpusher Vocal) 

Body and Soul –Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett

Easy Money – Johnny Marr

Spill the Wine – Eric Burdon & War

Moonsmith – Cantoma

You Brought the Sunshine into my Life – Clarke Sisters