Gusbourne
Summary
Gusbourne, established in 2004 by former surgeon Andrew Weeber, operates 90 hectares of vineyards across Kent and West Sussex, focusing on traditional method sparkling wines from Champagne varieties grown on south-facing slopes with clay, sandy loam, and chalk soils near the English Channel. Under CEO/winemaker Charlie Holland, the producer distinguishes itself through single-estate production, vintage-focused expressions rather than consistent house styles, and extended lees aging (minimum 36 months), earning recognition as IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year twice while expanding distribution to over 20 countries.
Heritage & Leadership
Gusbourne was established in 2004 when Andrew Weeber, a former orthopedic surgeon from South Africa, planted the first vines at Gusbourne Estate in Appledore, Kent. The estate takes its name from the de Goosebourne family who owned the land from 1410 to the 16th century. In 2013, Gusbourne became a publicly listed company on London's AIM market as Gusbourne PLC, making it the first English wine producer to be publicly traded.
The leadership team is headed by Charlie Holland, who serves as both Chief Executive Officer and Chief Winemaker. Holland joined Gusbourne in 2013 after gaining experience at wineries in Australia, Germany, and New Zealand. The company's board is chaired by Lord Ashcombe, with Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom serving as Non-Executive Director. The vineyard operations are overseen by Jon Pollard, who has been with Gusbourne since its inception in 2004.
Significant milestones include winning the IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year in 2013 and 2015. The company has also expanded its international distribution to over 20 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Vineyards & Wines
Gusbourne's vineyards span two distinct counties in southern England. The main estate in Appledore, Kent comprises 60 hectares of vineyards planted on gentle south-facing slopes. The soils here consist primarily of clay and sandy loam over a clay base, providing good water retention. In 2013, Gusbourne expanded to West Sussex, acquiring 30 hectares near the South Downs where the soils are predominantly chalk and flint, similar to those found in Champagne.
The vineyards are planted with the three classic Champagne varieties: 58% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier. The vines range in age from 3 to 18 years, with the oldest blocks dating back to the original 2004 plantings. The vineyards sit at elevations between 5-45 meters above sea level, with the Kent vineyards benefiting from the moderating influence of the English Channel just 6 miles to the south.
Gusbourne produces a range of traditional method sparkling wines, including their flagship Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), Brut Reserve (a blend of all three varieties), and Rosé (predominantly Pinot Noir). They also produce still wines in favorable vintages, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Guinevere (a barrel-fermented Chardonnay).
Philosophy & Practice
Gusbourne adheres to a quality-first approach, focusing exclusively on wines produced from grapes grown in their own vineyards. The company practices what they term "patient viticulture," allowing each vintage to fully express the unique characteristics of the growing season rather than blending across multiple years to maintain a consistent house style.
In the winery, all grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed. For their sparkling wines, Gusbourne follows the traditional method with bottle fermentation and extended aging on lees—a minimum of 36 months for vintage wines, significantly exceeding the legal requirement of 9 months for English sparkling wine. Their still wines undergo barrel fermentation and aging in French oak.
The winemaking team practices minimal intervention, allowing natural yeasts to conduct fermentation when possible. Temperature control during fermentation is precise, with different regimes for each variety and wine style. Riddling for sparkling wines is performed using gyropalettes for consistency, while disgorgement is scheduled according to each wine's development rather than a fixed timeline.
Gusbourne maintains detailed records of each vineyard block, allowing for precise vineyard management and selective harvesting based on ripeness levels. The company has invested in a state-of-the-art winery facility completed in 2017, featuring gravity-flow design to minimize pump usage and preserve grape quality.