Situated at an impressive 440 feet above sea level in the Sussex Weald, Blackdown Ridge Estate offers not just extraordinary views over the South Downs National Park but also the perfect setting for cultivating exceptional English wines. The vineyard is the brainchild of Professor Martin Cook, a passionate wine aficionado. His venture into viticulture began when an Italian family friend and winemaker, Antonio, pointed out that the estate’s serene, south-facing slopes were ideally suited for growing vines.
Taking Antonio’s words to heart, Martin planted the first vines in 2010. Notably, the soil composition of the Sussex Weald bears a striking resemblance to the famous terroirs of France’s Champagne region. This led to the selection of classic sparkling wine grape varietals like Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, culminating in the release of the estate’s debut sparkling wine in 2015.
Nestled between the North Downs and the magnificent South Downs National Park, Blackdown Ridge Vineyard benefits from a unique climatic influence. This high, south-facing location ensures the wines produced carry a balance and equilibrium that faithfully represent the estate’s exceptional conditions.
Although initially focused on sparkling wines, Blackdown Ridge Estate has expanded its repertoire to include still wines. Grape varietals like the aromatic Bacchus, Triomphe, and the recently planted Sauvignon Blanc now occupy 10.5 acres of vineyards, managed with an environmentally sensitive approach.
A Commitment to Excellence
Year after year, each vintage provides invaluable insights, fuelling the estate’s desire for continuous improvement. This commitment to quality has led Blackdown Ridge Estate to participate in international wine competitions, setting its sights on not just national but global recognition.
In just over a decade, Blackdown Ridge Estate has made an indelible mark on the English wine scene. Under the guidance of Professor Martin Cook, the vineyard has proven that the Sussex Weald is more than capable of producing wines that can stand alongside the world’s best. This commitment to authenticity and quality makes Blackdown Ridge Estate a name to watch in the ever-evolving world of English wine.
Blackdown Wines have been using EAN-13 barcodes from Barcode1.co.uk since 2016
