English wine in the spotlight

This week three announcements were made that put English wine in the spotlight. Firstly US based Jackson Estate has invested in Essex, Vagabond opens English wine bar at Gatwick airport and urban winery London Cru purchases vineyard in West Sussex.

Jackson Family Wines - the 9th largest wine producer in the US with properties in Bordeaux, Tuscany, Australia, Chile and South Africa – is “in the process” of acquiring land to be planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Essex’s Crouch Valley. Charles Holland (of Gusbourne) has been appointed as wine maker, and will produce wines with purchased grapes while their own vineyards are planted and mature. They plan on growing a full range of sparkling and still wines on the clay-rich soils, which, according to climatologist Dr Alistair Nesbitt, is one of the driest areas of the country, and also claims to have a low frost risk, while being less exposed to damaging winds compared to higher and more westerly areas of the UK.

Vagabond, an urban winery in London, has opened its second outlet, the South Downs Bar at Gatwick airport. It will stock a range of English wines for travellers to enjoy by the glass, including its own wines as well as local English producers.

Finally, London Cru, another urban winery based in west London has purchased a 12 ha vineyard called Foxhole in West Sussex. The move will help secure their own supply of grapes.