Hambledon Première Cuvée NV

Hambledon Vineyard was established in 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones, making it England's first commercial vineyard. The estate was revitalised in 1999 by Ian Kellett, who invested in a state-of-the-art gravity-fed winery on the South Downs. In 2023, the vineyard was acquired by Berry Bros. & Rudd and Symington Family Estates, two of the most respected names in the British and Portuguese wine trades respectively.

• Founded 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones as England's first commercial vineyard
• Revitalised in 1999 by Ian Kellett with a gravity-fed production facility
• Acquired in 2023 by Berry Bros. & Rudd and Symington Family Estates
• Located within the South Downs National Park landscape in Hampshire

Hambledon's vineyards cover 200 acres across multiple sites in Hampshire, with the Première Cuvée sourced exclusively from the South East-facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down. The chalk here is Upper Cretaceous Belemnite chalk, geologically identical to the soils of Champagne's Côte des Blancs. Hampshire's cool maritime climate, slightly cooler than Kent, delivers an extended ripening season that stretches into October, building complexity and acidity in the fruit.

• 200 acres across multiple vineyard sites in Hampshire
• Upper Cretaceous Belemnite chalk identical to Champagne's Côte des Blancs
• Cool maritime climate, slightly cooler than Kent, with ripening into October
• South East-facing slopes on Windmill Down maximise sun exposure

The Première Cuvée is made from the classic Champagne trinity: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, all grown on Hambledon's own estate. Pre-selected grapes are handled with care, with 14% of the blend fermented in French oak to add texture and breadth, while the remainder undergoes fermentation in stainless steel to preserve freshness. The wine is produced using the traditional method and aged on lees for a minimum of 46 to 62 months before disgorgement. Final dosage is just 2g/L, placing it firmly in extra brut territory.

• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier from estate vineyards
• 14% fermented in French oak; remainder in stainless steel
• Minimum 46 to 62 months on lees using the traditional method
• Dosage of 2g/L for a bone-dry, precise style

Hambledon Première Cuvée NV is led by winemaker Hervé Jestin, who previously served as Cellar Master at Champagne Leclerc Briant, bringing deep expertise in traditional method sparkling wine to Hampshire. The wine regularly outperforms Champagne houses in blind tastings and is considered a flagship of English sparkling wine. Hampshire as a whole supports approximately 380 hectares of vineyards across 38 wineries, but Hambledon remains the region's most historically significant and critically acclaimed producer.

• Winemaker Hervé Jestin is the former Cellar Master at Champagne Leclerc Briant
• Regularly outperforms Champagne houses in blind tastings
• Classified as a Premium/Flagship English Sparkling Wine
• Hampshire hosts approximately 380 hectares of vineyards and 38 wineries