A September morning at The Weyborne Estate saw 60 guests from across the trade, press and media gather at Blackdown Park for a day of discovery, wine and a first look at what’s new at Weyborne.The day began with glasses of Oriana Golden Spur before we set off across the Estate.Our journey started at the horse statue, overlooking the Estate and the South Downs beyond. From here, we headed into the vineyard, getting closer to the vines and the landscape that sits at the heart o

The harvest countdown is over. Harvest has now come to a close at The Weyborne Estate, with the final grapes gathered last week. After an incredible summer, the vines have now given us their final fruit of the 2026 growing season, marking our earliest harvest to date and a record-breaking season for the estate. At the top of the vineyard, our Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier performed particularly strongly. This plot is home to some of our slightly older vines, which are no

The High Slopes of Excellence: Inside Weyborne Estate High on the South Downs, Weyborne Estate looks across the Sussex countryside from slopes that rise towards a thousand feet above sea level. Its history reaches back to around 1600, when an early ironmaster used local ore to forge axes and spikes. By the mid seventeenth century, the estate was held by William Yaldwin, a Parliamentarian who hosted Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War. Victorian owners added a residential win

WineGB: Indies are "Real Advocates" for Local People Independent retailers are “powerful ambassadors” for the English and Welsh wine sector and stocking a selection of these wines can also help draw in a slightly younger demographic, according to WineGB’s CEO, Nicola Bates. Speaking to Drinks Retailing at the annual WineGB trade tasting event in London, Bates said: “Each wine retailer has a chance to be a real advocate for certain local producers and to be able to really dr

Just a few days before his death on 6 August 2026, Matthew wrote this column for Vineyard, which we are publishing in his honour and as a tribute to his talent, warmth and generosity. I love old phrases and use them often. But I realise I sometimes have no idea of their origins. While preparing this month’s column, I described this trio of wines to my wife as those that push the envelope. But what does this actually mean? The word ‘envelope’ originally referred to the pe

"The world of elite sommeliers demands unparalleled precision, a skill exemplified by the notoriously difficult 'Champagne Pour' challenge. Emma Denney, director of wine at Claridge’s London, understands the exacting standards of sommelier-specific wine competitions, which feature rigorous technical tests and blind tastings. Trophy winners on the world stage, and with England recording the highest Gold success rate among major producers at the International Wine Challenge 20

Every bottle of The Weyborne begins on our south-facing slopes in the South Downs National Park, but its journey is only complete when it reaches your glass. This summer marks an exciting chapter for the estate as more restaurants and hotels choose to pour Oriana by the glass, introducing our English sparkling wines to guests nationwide. We're delighted to be featured at Teal by Sally Abé, HIDE in London, and throughout the Signet Collection, including Barnsdale, The Retr

There is a quiet magic to the vineyard in midsummer. The long days stretch across the South Downs, the rows glow beneath the evening sun, and the first tiny bunches of grapes begin to emerge. After months of careful pruning, nurturing and anticipation, this is the moment when the vintage truly begins to reveal itself. This year has been one of contrasts. Whilst many vineyards across England faced damaging spring frosts, The Weyborne's unique position at the highest point of

Weyborne Estate sits at the highest point of the South Downs National Park, at the source of the River Wey – a setting with a history that stretches back to 1640. Owner Nick Clark planted the first vines in 2007, recognising the exceptional terroir of this high-altitude site. What began as 1.2 hectares has grown to 10 hectares on a rare mix of clay, greensand and chalk soils. Committed to sustainable viticulture, Weyborne produces just two cuvées using the traditional method

We are delighted to share that Oriana Golden Spur Brut NV has been awarded a Silver Medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected blind tasting competitions, the IWSC brings together leading international producers alongside some of the wine industry’s most experienced judges, sommeliers, and wine experts. Following last year’s medal success with our 2019 vintage, Golden Spur 2022 was entered into this

Early summer has arrived with quiet intensity across The Weyborne Estate, transforming the vineyard almost daily as the growing season gathers pace across the South Downs. Budburst is now well underway, and the vineyard has changed dramatically in recent weeks. What only a short time ago felt still and tentative is now vibrant, green, and full of movement. The warm spring weather has accelerated vine growth. The vineyard is now entering one of its most energetic pha

Oriana Golden Spur Brut, the premium English sparkling wine from The Weyborne Estate, continues to captivate wine lovers and critics alike. Celebrating the rolling hills and lush orchards of the English countryside, this luminous sparkling wine has been praised as mesmerising, rich, and elegantly expressive, a true standout in the world of English sparkling wines. Matthew Jukes: “Utterly Mesmerised” Renowned wine critic Matthew Jukes, writing for Vineyard, described Oria

There are moments when something exceptional becomes effortlessly accessible, and this is one of them. Oriana Golden Spur Brut, the English sparkling wine from The Weyborne Estate, is now available at Ocado, ready to be delivered straight to your door. Crafted in West Sussex, Oriana Golden Spur captures the character of the South Downs in every glass. Expect fresh orchard fruits and citrus, subtle brioche and toasted almond and fine, elegant mousse. Balanced, bright, an

Weyborne Estate is situated at the highest point of the South Downs in West Sussex, on a terroir of mixed clay, greensand and chalk. The site enjoys a micro-climate that offers protection from frost to their south facing slope, as well as natural drainage and early ripeness. This is a single site of 25 acres planted to around 50% Chardonnay, plus Pinot Noir and a little Pinot Meunier. I met up recently with William Sharpley, Commercial Manager, and Benjamin Abric, Winemake

Discover the quiet magic of winter at The Weyborne Estate in the South Downs, West Sussex, where snow-covered vineyards enter a vital period of dormancy. Learn how winter rest, frost and soil balance shape the character, purity and elegance of English wine and English sparkling wine. From biodiversity to vine health, explore why this season of stillness is essential to every Weyborne vintage.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic dinner for two: silky pappardelle tossed in slow-simmered Bolognese, perfectly paired with Oriana Golden Spur, a premium English sparkling wine from The Weyborne Estate. Rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying, this elegant recipe balances hearty flavours with bright, creamy bubbles, creating a memorable, indulgent meal ideal for a cozy Valentine’s evening at home.

"Weyborne in Sussex has achieved a lot in a little time. Just a year after the first-ever vintage in 2018, its Weyborne Oriana 2019 this year won a cluster of gold and silver medals. Miranda Long joined the producer's team for lunch at the restaurant Clarette in London's Marylebone to see the latest English sparkling wine that the estate has in store. It is an early release from their 2022 harvest called Oriana Golden Spur. Destined to become the 2023 vintage to be launched n

Oriana is a name that signals the creative side of English sparkling—winemakers experimenting with varietal composition and dosage to craft distinctive house styles. Oriana Golden Spur is a pre-release of the 2022 vintage - which is showing great maturity relative to its 2 years on lees. The 2022 vintage was a spectacular year marked by the hottest and driest summer in recent history. This led to high quality, clean fruit with exceptional flavour and high yields. Condit

Named after Tennyson's The Ballad of Oriana, discovered in a 1905 edition within the Estate's own library, Weyborne is justifiably proud of this wine, which romantically embodies the spirit of love, loyalty and fate. In fact, Golden Spur is an early release of a 2022 vintage wine which will see the light.

My Favourite English Sparkling: Weyborne Oriana Golden Spur The latest release from the talented wine maker Ben Abric at Weyborne. You can enjoy this as an aperitif, its lifted citrus, orchard fruit full of energy makes it fun to drink with smoked salmon bellinis all afternoon. It would be equally at home with grilled seabass because of the subtle oxidative winemaking adds depth and complexity to this wine with a savoury nuance. You’ll find it at Noma and Harrods — and it’s