VINEYARDS

BOOKERS Vineyard began in 1972, founded by Janet and Rodney Pratt, who drove the business with care and attention, accruing a number of national and international awards. Greater progress came when Samantha, their daughter, took control of the winemaking in 1990, making this a truly family business, with vineyards expanding to a worthy 22 acres. Their website

CARR TAYLOR David and Linda Carr-Taylor began their family winery in 1971 just north of Hastings. More recently, their son Alexander joined the team as winemaker, after making wine in Oregon and New Zealand, and with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust’s highest Diploma scholarship under his belt. Their website

CHAPEL DOWN is one of the leading English wine brands. With improvements in the vineyard and winery and with the expertise of a skilled winemaking team, the quality of Chapel down wines has been improving every year. They have won awards both nationally and internationally and their wines are served in the House of Commons and various Government departments as well as overseas embassies. Their website

GOSPEL GREEN is where James and Cathy Lane make sparkling cider using the Methode Champenoise, except of course they mustn't call it that. They use only selected local apples and they ferment the must using wild cider yeasts in stainless steel tanks. This is followed by ten to twelve months bottle fermentation. Because mainly dessert apples are used rather than cider apples, flavour that is produced is more vinous and less like actual cider. But at 8.00% alcohol, it's stronger than most ciders.

NYETIMBER is an icon in the field of English wine due to its consistent medal-winning record for top sparklers. Most recently, Nyetimber sought out a new husband and wife winemaking team; Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix. The couple have strong wine and scientific backgrounds, having both worked Château Margaux as well as wineries in Australia, New Zealand, The United States and Canada. Their website

LURGASHALL prides itself on a passionate focus for using natural ingredients, fresh fruit and flowers for all of its wines, meads and liqueurs. These are studied and perfected at all stages of production in Lurgashall’s fantastically equipped premises inside their beautiful 17th and 18th Century farmhouses. Their website

RIDGEVIEW was founded by Christine and Michael Roberts and their core vineyard was planted in 1994 with selected vines from Champagne itself. For directional wine making advice Ridgeview is assisted by the L'intsitut Oenologique de Champagne, further improving their spectacular sparkling wines. Their website