What better way to celebrate a glorious day in the British countryside than with a glass of vintage sparkling wine from award-winning producer, Gusbourne.
The quiet luxuries, the meaningful details, the finishing touches: it’s often the little things which elevate a day’s shooting from enjoyable to exceptional. Which is why we put so much care and thought into every element of your Darbishire experience.
When it came to selecting an English wine partner, Gusbourne – renowned for its award-winning, vintage-only sparkling – was the natural choice.
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 White, CEO. “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.
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.
And 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, these wines demonstrate that English sparkling deserves its place on the world stage. Beautifully crafted, incredibly complex and perfect for adding a touch of luxury to any occasion.
To experience Gusbourne’s vintage-only English wine, why not visit their estate for a tour, tasting or fine-wine experience. Alternatively, enjoy complimentary delivery to any UK address when you purchase their still or sparkling wines. Find out more at Gusbourne.com.
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