Weyborne Estate: A Story of Modern Sparkling Wine
Margaret Rand travels to the Black Down Hills in Sussex to explore Weyborne Estate, a fresh entrant in the English sparkling wine scene that thrives at higher altitudes.
Weyborne Estate, with its beautiful 17th-century house, became a point of interest in Sussex, attracting new owners searching for heritage and potential. The estate has witnessed illustrious figures like Edward VII and Alfred Lord Tennyson grace its grounds, but its recent story revolves around wine production.
The estate’s flagship cuvée, named Oriana, reflects a commitment to crafting quality wines. Despite challenges posed by its elevated location and lower yields, Benjamin Abric, appointed as general manager in 2022, has been pivotal in driving the estate towards success.
Nick Clarke, originally from an energy background, purchased Weyborne Estate in 2010, captivated by the land more than the viticulture aspect. Initially minimal wine production began to change with a serious commitment to quality, leading to an impressive increase in production from just 3,000 bottles in 2021 to an anticipated 50,000-60,000 bottles annually moving forward.
Weyborne’s unique terroir includes a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, with plans to implement sustainable practices even as the estate faced challenges like adverse weather conditions. Abric’s extensive wine background—spanning from France to Virginia—allowed him to build upon the foundation laid by Clarke and invigorate the vineyard.
Their approach to the vineyard is meticulous, assessing soil quality and vine health while embracing long-term goals of production and sustainability. With plots named Patron, Polo Fields, and others, the vineyard features diverse exposure that influences grape ripening.
As Clarke and Abric push forward, their vision includes expanding the wine range, with more distinct cuvées on the horizon to replace existing ones. Clarke remains open-minded about vineyards abroad, hinting at possible future adventures in Argentina.
Weyborne Estate stands as a testament to the combination of passion for the land and dedication to quality winemaking, encapsulated in its well-structured Oriana. The journey continues, bringing innovation and enthusiasm to the forefront of English sparkling wine.