Albury Organic Vineyard
Surrey's only certified organic and biodynamic vineyard, producing award-winning English sparkling wines from chalk-over-clay soils in the North Downs.
Albury Organic Vineyard is Surrey's sole certified organic and biodynamic producer, farming 5 hectares in the North Downs. Founded by Nick Wenman in 2009, the estate grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier on chalk-bedrock soils strikingly similar to Champagne. Its Silent Pool Rosé was served on the Royal Barge during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
- Surrey's only certified organic vineyard, with biodynamic certification held since 2012
- 5 hectares planted with 21,000 vines across a 20-acre estate at 90-110 metres elevation
- Clay topsoil over chalk bedrock mirrors the geology of the Champagne region
- Founded by Nick Wenman in 2009-2010 after retirement from the IT industry
- Silent Pool Rosé served on the Royal Barge during Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012
- Sparkling wines now featured in Michelin-starred restaurants
- Land leased from the Duke of Northumberland's Albury Estate; site mentioned in John Evelyn's 1670 diary
Location and Terroir
Albury Organic Vineyard sits within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on south-southwest facing slopes in a sheltered North Downs valley at 90-110 metres elevation. The geology is defined by 30-40mm of clay topsoil over chalk bedrock, a profile directly comparable to the Champagne region of northern France. The site benefits from proximity to the European continent and the warmth generated by the south-facing escarpment of the North Downs.
- Elevation of 90-110 metres on sheltered North Downs slopes
- Clay topsoil over chalk bedrock, mirroring Champagne geology
- South-southwest aspect maximises solar exposure in a cool English climate
- Located within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Grapes and Wine Styles
The estate grows five varieties across its 5 hectares: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the classic Champagne trio, alongside Seyval Blanc and Pinot Gris. The primary focus is Champagne-method English sparkling wine, with still rosé also produced. The first wine, Silent Pool Rosé, was released in 2011, and the first sparkling wine followed in 2015.
- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Seyval Blanc, and Pinot Gris planted
- Specialises in traditional-method English sparkling wine
- Still rosé produced alongside the sparkling range
- First sparkling wine released 2015, a decade after the vineyard was established
Organic and Biodynamic Farming
Albury is Surrey's only certified organic vineyard and one of only a handful of English vineyards to hold biodynamic certification, achieved in 2012. Farming excludes all herbicides and pesticides. The estate holds a 3-star Pioneer rating from Sustainable Wines of Great Britain and is a member of the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills collaborative group, founded in 2019. No synthetic inputs enter the vineyard, and all farming follows both organic and biodynamic calendars.
- Certified organic and biodynamic since 2012, one of the UK's few biodynamic wine estates
- No herbicides or pesticides used across the 20-acre site
- 3-star Pioneer rating from Sustainable Wines of Great Britain
- Member of Vineyards of the Surrey Hills, a collaborative group founded in 2019
Have a bottle from this producer?
Scan the label or type the name. Instant sommelier-level context for any bottle.
Look it up →History and Heritage
The Albury Estate land has a documented viticultural history stretching to John Evelyn's diary entry of 1670, recording a vineyard on the site. The modern incarnation was planted by Nick Wenman between 2009 and 2010 following his retirement from the IT industry. The estate leases land from the Duke of Northumberland's Albury Estate. The first vintage, Silent Pool Rosé, gained royal recognition when it was served on the Royal Barge during Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. The business is family-run with strong female representation in management and employs 1-5 permanent staff, supplemented by 6-10 seasonal workers at harvest.
- Vineyard history on this land recorded in John Evelyn's diary in 1670
- Modern vineyard planted 2009-2010 by Nick Wenman, former IT professional
- Silent Pool Rosé served on the Royal Barge at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, 2012
- Land leased from the Duke of Northumberland's Albury Estate
Albury's Champagne-method sparkling wines reflect the chalk-driven terroir of the North Downs, with the structure and fine mousse associated with traditional-method English fizz. Cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot varieties on chalk deliver high natural acidity, citrus and green apple fruit, and a mineral backbone. The still rosé from Pinot Noir-based fruit shows delicate red berry character with crisp English acidity.
- Albury Organic Vineyard Silent Pool Rosé$30-45The estate's founding wine, served at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee; Pinot-based still rosé from chalk-bedrock Surrey.Find →
- Albury Organic Vineyard Estate Cuvée$40-55Traditional-method sparkling from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on chalk soils, now poured in Michelin-starred restaurants.Find →
- Albury Organic Vineyard Blanc de Blancs$55-70Single-variety Chardonnay sparkling from biodynamically farmed chalk-over-clay North Downs terroir.Find →
- Certified organic and biodynamic since 2012; Surrey's only organic vineyard and one of England's handful of biodynamic producers
- Chalk bedrock with 30-40mm clay topsoil mirrors Champagne geology; elevation 90-110m on south-southwest facing North Downs slopes
- Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Gris across 5 hectares (21,000 vines)
- First wine released 2011 (still rosé); first sparkling wine 2015; biodynamic certification 2012
- 3-star Pioneer rating from Sustainable Wines of Great Britain; member of Vineyards of the Surrey Hills (est. 2019)