Introducing Gusbourne: England’s leading vintage-only wine producer
Not all Champagnes are made equal – this is a truth universally acknowledged by fine-wine lovers. Likewise, there’s a world of differing styles, approaches and philosophies when it comes to English sparkling wine. With more than 1,000 vineyards now planted across the country, and over 200 wineries, it’s no surprise that the picture is becoming ever more complex.
It’s helpful, then, to understand what sets the most prestigious English winemakers apart. Our newest producer, Gusbourne, based in Kent and Sussex, is unquestionably a leader in the field. Established in 2004, Gusbourne’s entire philosophy is rooted in a quality-first approach – and their mission to craft the world’s finest sparkling wines clearly fuels their ambition.
Estate-Grown Fruit
Gusbourne has two vineyard sites – their first, in Appledore, Kent, is also home to their tasting rooms and winery; the second is in West Sussex. In Kent, the Wealden clay soils give their grapes intensity and richness. In Sussex, the higher altitude chalk and flint vineyards give fruit that’s mineral and elegant with brilliant acidity.
These 90 hectares are home to all Gusbourne’s vines: they only use fruit which they farm and hand-harvest themselves. This means they have complete control over the fruit and vineyards at every stage of the season.
Sustainable vineyard practices – from regenerative processes, such as having sheep in the vineyards over winter, to wild-flower and cover-crop trials – are at the heart of Gusbourne’s nature-first approach. You can read more about their commitment to sustainably here.
Gusbourne’s vineyards are planted with the classic Champagne grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Interestingly, around half their vines are Burgundian clones, chosen for their small yields of incredibly flavourful fruit. This helps Gusbourne to craft exceptional still as well as sparkling wines.
Vintage Only Wines
The team at Gusbourne are driven by meticulous attention to detail throughout their viticulture and winemaking. Because their wines are vintage only, each bottle is an authentic reflection of their growing season.
In the winery, this means the approach is low-intervention and the team’s decision-making is led by the fruit harvested. They’re meticulous in the way they craft and age their wines, with regular lees-ageing tasting and comprehensive base-wine grading. Gusbourne cellar ages the wines for as long as they need, releasing them only when they are ready.
The Awards Which Count
Gusbourne is proud to be one of the most awarded producers in English wine, having been honoured with the most significant accolades in the industry.
This year, amongst its notable gold and silver medals, they won Best in Class and National Champion for the Blanc de Blancs 2019 at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. Gusbourne Blanc de Noirs 2019, meanwhile, claimed the Judges’ Selection Medal at leading industry awards, Texsom.
Introducing Gusbourne 2019 Blanc de Noirs
Blanc de Noirs is a style of sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, which combine to create sparkling wines of real depth and richness, able to be enjoyed both as an aperitif while also spectacular with food
“The 2019 is a beautiful expression of a cooler season Blanc de Noirs,” says Mary Bridges, Head Winemaker. “It was made from the most expressive Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier parcels from across our Kent and Sussex sites, with a small percentage of Chardonnay.
“We aged this wine for 31 months on lees. To taste, it strikes a perfect balance between generous red fruit and toasty, spicy characters.”
Laura Rhys, Master Sommelier, agrees: “There’s a really beautiful balance between richness and freshness in this wine,” she says. “There’s lots of bright red cherry, ripe strawberry and white peach notes alongside a darker, spicier note and a rich, toasted character.”
“I really enjoy pairing the Blanc de Noirs with soft, creamy or rind-washed cheeses; it works both texturally and from a flavour perspective. It’s also great with a fish stew.”
Find out more
Gusbourne’s award-winning tasting room and cellar door, The Nest, is open year-round. They’re delighted to welcome impromptu guests for self-guided tours and tasting flights. They also host a range of ticketed events, such as expert-led masterclasses, tutored tastings and dining experiences.
To find out more, and book your visit, go to Gusbourne.com.
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