A toast to the happy couple
Weybourne Estate general manager, Ben Abric, provided an interesting comparison between the still-developing 2022 vintage of the estate’s Oriana cuvée and its early release, the Oriana Golden Spur. He metaphorically described the Golden Spur as the daughter who is celebrating her engagement, while the 2022 vintage represents her soon-to-be wedding.
With the inaugural 2018 and the acclaimed Oriana 2019 (which won a Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025) in low supply and no releases in 2020 and 2021, Abric felt the pressure to offer a new wine to the market. However, during tastings, they found that the Oriana 2022 was ripe for bottling due to its perfect stage of lees aging.
The Golden Spur, which was bottled in July 2023 and underwent disgorgement in August, retains the estate’s hallmark oxidative style with its first fermentation in open tanks and a portion fermented in barrels. The wine has received a 4g/L dosage after disgorgement, yielding a youthful flavor profile of grilled lemon, crab apple, and apricot blossom.
While the Golden Spur presents a refreshing side, Abric notes that the longer time on lees and lower dosage will eventually provide the Oriana 2022 with more depth and complexity.
Golden Spur is available at prices ranging from £45 to £48 at Farr Vintners, Hawkins Bros, Weybourne Estate, and Wine & Earth. This unique offering showcases the estate’s continual evolution, promising a delightful experience for wine lovers.