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Nyetimber

West Sussex

Ethos: Pairing a historic location and historic winemaking

Winemaker

Cherie Spriggs

Wine Style

Traditional Method sparkling wines

In the beginning: Nyetimber's earliest beginnings saw it named in the Domesday Book (1086), when the peaceful valley of Nitimbreha made its first appearance in recorded history. (Nitimbreha could refer to a newly timbered house or possibly a small timber plantation.) The next milestone came in 1988 with the planting of vines; 902 years later the Holy Trinity of sparkling grapes - chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier - put down their roots in the lee of the South Downs, England. The first vintage picked was 1992, a Blanc de Blancs which was released in 1996, nine hundred and ten years after the first record.

Leading the pack: Nyetimber sparkling wines are all crafted according to the traditional method; aged for extended periods of time on the lees to build complexity and flavour and with generous post-disgorgement time before release. In 2009, Nyetimber was the first producer in England to release a single vineyard wine from its Tillington vineyard; and in 2018 it became the first English winery to release a Prestige Cuvée, a wine that was crafted from the 2009 vintage and was nearly a decade in the making. Nyetimber's historic vineyards are home to some of the oldest vines in England, and they pride themselves in making wines only from their estate-grown grapes.

Mediaeval splendour: The Mediaeval Tithe Barn has stood proudly at the heart of Nyetimber since the 15th century. Thanks to a major restoration project, this historic structure now hosts their tasting tours (available on select days throughout the summer). The tasting experience spans two and a half hours and covers all of their sparkling wines and, happily, the ticket price is fully redeemable against a case of six bottles purchased on the day. This is a wonderful place to gain insight into the vines, soil and conditions that make Southern England a world-class region for sparkling wine.

Wine and dine: The 1086 by Nyetimber Paired Dining Experience is a standout attraction. Inspired by the rich landscape of the South Downs and the finest British ingredients, the Executive Chef crafts bespoke menus that reflect the essence of each season. Every course highlights the purest flavours of the moment; the delicate freshness of spring, the vibrant flavours of summer and the deep, complex notes of autumn, all thoughtfully paired with Nyetimber's celebrated sparklers.

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