The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) has awarded Gusbourne Estate, Kent as the ‘English Wine Producer or the Year’. Sponsored by Vintner’s Hall, the title celebrates the most passionate and committed wine producers in English wine.
The announcement follows the continued rise of English wines showcased by successes earlier this year in the IWSC’S Northern Hemisphere results. This saw English wines awarded a record breaking 80 medals. Amongst these great triumphs, Gusbourne Estate was the only English winery to be awarded the IWSC’s highest accolade this year, winning two IWSC Gold medals and one Gold Outstanding.
Founded in 2004, the 40 hectares West Sussex estate focuses on the three main traditional Champagne grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. In addition to these sparkling wines, the winery also produces two stills, a Guinevere Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is considered as one of the most promising still reds in England.
Fellow shortlist, Nutbourne Vineyard also got a taste of success this year with their Nutbourne Sussex Reserve 2013, which was the first still English wine to take home a gold medal. They were also awarded at the IWSC’s annual award banquet in London’s historic Guildhall on the 26th November.
Commenting on the win, winemaker for Gusbourne Estate, Charlie Holland, said, “We are honoured to be announced this year’s English Wine Producer of the Year and are extremely happy to be recognised for creating some of the finest wines in the world. This year we secured some fantastic on-trade clients including Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Bray, Gordon Ramsay’s Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea and Simon Rogan’s foraging focused L’Enclume in Cumbria, and we will continue to develop our on-trade connections next year. ”
Ewan Lacey, General Manager of the IWSC, commented, “Gusbourne Estate has continued to go from strength to strength and produce a high standard of world-class wines. They have achieved some great results this year including IWSC’S highest accolade – a gold outstanding and have become a standard-bearer of quality English sparkling and still wines.”
For a full list of winners click here