Nyetimber

Nyetimber was the first producer to really put English Sparkling Wine on the map. After years of English growers labouring with high acid Germanic and hybrid grape varieties, Nyetimber was the first estate to devote their efforts exclusively to the Champagne varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. First established in 1988, the owners planted vines and occupied the estate for a decade before selling up and returning the USA, being American by birth. A short hiatus followed, until 2006 when it was acquired by Eric Heerema, a passionate investor. Ambitious plans were laid and a young ambitious Canadian couple were appointed to run the show. Brad Geatrix and Cherie Spriggs have taken the Nyetimber brand and overall quality to ever-greater heights and recognition for their sparkling wines is spreading around the world. The estate has grown immensely and is large by English standards, spanning 170 hectares across West Sussex and Hampshire, and yet they can boast 100% ownership of each and every vine - an impressive achievement. While the majority of production is focused on the Classic Cuvee, designated NV post-2010 to make use of their extensive reserve wines, ambitious plans continue and the Tillington Single Vineyard looks set to become the flagship prestige cuvee of the UK, hoping to rival the likes of Dom Perignon and Krug in the future.