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

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

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.