Gusbourne
English wine is one of the UK’s great success stories – not just at home, but across the globe. Kent-based producer Gusbourne is leading the way, crafting vintage-only still and sparkling wines which are taking their place on the world stage. Amongst the broad range of businesses honoured in 2024’s King’s Awards, there was just one English winemaker: Gusbourne. With its high- end still and sparkling wines now available in more than 30 countries around the world, Gusbourne is a lighthouse for English wine, demonstrating the consistent quality which can now be achieved in the UK. “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade is testament to the dedication and commitment of the whole Gusbourne team,” says Jonathan White, CEO. “I’m thrilled to be leading such a thriving, dynamic wine producer.” Leading the way Gusbourne was established two decades ago in 2004, making it a heritage brand in the burgeoning English wine scene. “We work in a way which embraces tradition, but challenges convention,” says Jonathan. “Our focus is always on the detail – the incremental gains – which allow us to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in English wine, one vintage at a time.” You’ll find Gusbourne’s winery and vineyards amongst the oast houses and apple orchards of Appledore, Kent. This picturesque site is home to two-thirds of their vines; the remainder are in the rolling chalk downlands of West Sussex. This means their wines benefit from fruit with different, but complementary, characteristics. In Kent, the Wealden clay soils give Gusbourne’s grapes intensity and richness. In Sussex, the higher altitude chalk and flint vineyards give fruit that’s mineral and elegant with brilliant acidity.
Gusbourne only use grapes which they grow – and hand-harvest – themselves. This ensures their fruit is pristine quality.
At Gusbourne’s home in Kent, guests are invited to explore the vineyards. Their exclusive entertaining spaces are ideal for parties and gatherings.
Visitors can enjoy a range of tastings and masterclasses at Gus- bourne’s award-winning cellar-door and tasting rooms, The Nest
Gusbourne’s classic vintage-only wines are a unique reflection of a season. In addition to these three wines, Gusbourne also crafts a number of still and limited-edition wines, including prestige bottling, Fifty One Degrees North. Wine tasting Wine enthusiasts can experience Gusbourne’s vintage-only English wines first-hand at their award-winning cellar door and tasting rooms in Appledore. From introductory tasting flights and self-guided tours of the vineyard to more immersive fine wine masterclasses, lunches and tastings, there’s a range of experiences to suit. Alternatively, you can enjoy Gusbourne’s vintage-only wines at home, with complimentary delivery to any UK address. GUSBOURNE Kenardington Road, Appledore, Ashford, TN26 2BE Tel: +44(0)1622 809763 • gusbourne.com Gusbournewines @ Gusbourne gusbourne_wine gusbourne-estate
A unique vintage The grapes, as you might expect, mirror those grown in Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Interestingly, around half the vines are Burgundian clones. These yield smaller quantities of ripe, flavourful grapes which are especially suited to producing still wines. Because Gusbourne’s wines are vintage-only, the quality of their fruit has to be exceptional (there’s nowhere to hide in this kind of winemaking). They farm and, importantly, hand-harvest all their own fruit so they have complete control over both the viticulture and also the timing of harvest. Vintage-only wines are uniquely expressive too. Because they’re made using the fruit from a single growing season, each wine tells a story of a year’s growing condition, capturing a moment in time. Once in bottle, Gusbourne cellar-age their wines for as long as they need, releasing them only when they are ready. Whether it’s the elegant, crisp and citrussy Blanc de Blancs, the rich, powerful Pinot Noir or the effortlessly enjoyable Brut Reserve, all of
Mary Bridges, Gusbourne’s Head Winemaker, is detail-orientated and precise. She leads the team to craft vintage-only still and sparkling wines.
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