Limited Editions

This October, we break new ground with our innovative new release, Gusbourne Oak Reserve 2019 – the boldest expression of English sparkling Chardonnay yet. A wine that embraces structure, spice and generosity, Oak Reserve was born from a series of experimental trials and the introduction of large-format oak vessels (foudres) into the winery.

“It’s not shy. It’s a wine with presence,” says Mary Bridges, Head Winemaker. “There’s tropical fruit generosity from the foudre – pineapple, mango – alongside savoury spice from the smaller barrels,” says Bridges. “There’s citrus oil and gingerbread on the nose, with a creamy palate and a very long finish.”

Innovation at Gusbourne doesn’t mean throwing out the rulebook. It’s about working with precision, understanding our fruit, and being willing to push the boundaries.

Gold-medal winner, Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2025
"English wines don’t need to taste like Champagne, or anywhere else, to be successful. Structure here tends to be lighter, acidity brighter, overt fruity aromatics more tame and reserve wines less prominent and younger; no matter what they attempt to do, English wines can’t fail to reflect their individuality.

Having said that, Gusbourne’s Blanc de Noirs from the West Sussex chalk of Downfield vineyard in 2019 is one of the first that might seem, to a student of Champagne, to reach under the English Channel and echo something tangible and grounded.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that this promise comes in the hands of the producer with one of the best reputations in the country for vineyard work. Or perhaps it’s a mirage. Either way, the story of what chalk does, or doesn’t, do for English sparkling wine is only in its early chapters."
93/100points - Tom Hewson, www.robertparker.com, August 2025