Nyetimber
Summary
Nyetimber, England's flagship sparkling wine producer, manages 327 hectares across 11 sites in Hampshire, West Sussex, and Kent, focusing exclusively on traditional method wines from Champagne varieties grown on greensand and chalk soils that mirror Champagne's terroir. Their pioneering status stems from uncompromising quality standards—including sacrificing entire vintages when necessary—and meticulous production methods featuring extended lees aging, hand-harvesting, and custom optical grape sorting technology developed specifically for their cool-climate sparkling wines.
Heritage & Leadership
Nyetimber was established in 1988 when American couple Stuart and Sandy Moss planted the first Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier vines in West Sussex, England. This marked the first dedicated sparkling wine vineyard in the UK using the traditional Champagne varieties. In 2006, Dutchman Eric Heerema acquired the estate and continues to serve as Owner and Chief Executive, overseeing the company's expansion. A pivotal appointment came in 2007 when Canadian winemaker Cherie Spriggs joined as Head Winemaker alongside her husband Brad Greatrix. Spriggs made history in 2018 as the first winemaker from outside Champagne to win Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge. Under this leadership team, Nyetimber has expanded from its original 15-hectare site to multiple estates across southern England, establishing itself as a pioneer in English sparkling wine production.
Vineyards & Wines
Nyetimber manages 327 hectares of vineyards spread across 11 sites in Hampshire, West Sussex, and Kent. The vineyards are planted on greensand and chalk soils similar to those found in Champagne, with south-facing slopes that maximize sun exposure in England's cool climate. The estate exclusively grows the three classic Champagne varieties: Chardonnay (45%), Pinot Noir (35%), and Pinot Meunier (20%). Vineyard elevations range from 5 to 120 meters above sea level, with vine ages spanning from recent plantings to those dating back to 1988. Nyetimber's portfolio includes their Classic Cuvée multi-vintage blend, vintage-specific wines, and single-vineyard expressions such as the Tillington Single Vineyard. The range extends to Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, and Cuvée Chérie Demi-Sec styles, all produced using the traditional method with extended aging on lees—a minimum of three years for vintage wines and sometimes exceeding five years for premium cuvées.
Philosophy & Practice
Nyetimber adheres to a quality-first philosophy, demonstrated by their decision to skip vintages entirely when conditions don't meet their standards, as they did in 2012. All harvesting is conducted by hand, with each parcel vinified separately to preserve site-specific characteristics. The winery employs gentle whole-bunch pressing, with juice separation into fractions to ensure only the highest quality must is used. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with some reserve wines aged in used oak barrels. Nyetimber follows the traditional method for secondary fermentation, with extended lees aging in bottle. The estate maintains complete control over production, from grape growing through to disgorgement and packaging. Their viticultural practices include sustainable measures such as reduced herbicide use, cover cropping, and wildlife corridor preservation. Nyetimber's technical innovation is evident in their development of optical grape sorting technology specifically calibrated for sparkling wine production, allowing precise selection of fruit based on ripeness and quality parameters.