Fox & Fox Hobdens Vineyard: Boutique English Sparkling Wines from the Sussex High Weald
Fox & Fox: Boutique English Sparkling Wine from the Sussex High Weald
Tucked into the rolling ridges just south of the ancient hilltop village of Mayfield, Fox & Fox is one of England's quiet success stories. Run by husband-and-wife team Jonica and Gerard Fox, the estate has been growing vines since 2004 and producing wine since 2009, building a small but fiercely consistent range of premium English sparkling wines that have earned gold and platinum medals at some of the toughest competitions in the world.
Their mantra is simple: keep quantities small, keep quality obsessive, and let the fruit of the Sussex High Weald speak for itself. Every wine in the Fox & Fox range has been awarded a gold or platinum medal from an authoritative national or international wine competition, a benchmark that very few producers - English or otherwise - can match across their entire range.
Growers first, winemakers second
Fox & Fox describe themselves as a "boutique grower-producer", and the distinction matters. The four varieties they cultivate - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris - are all grown on their own land, much of it on the Hobdens vineyard, a south-south-east facing single-site parcel that sits between 69 and 83 metres above sea level on clay-over-sandstone soils shot through with iron-rich shale.
Each vine is tended by hand around nineteen times a year and trained to the Double Guyot system. The careful cloning strategy - a mix of medium-yielding Burgundy clones for fruit and texture, alongside Champagne clones for acid backbone and structure - is what gives Fox & Fox wines their characteristic richness without sacrificing freshness.
The people behind the bottles
"We are Jonica & Gerard Fox and we have been growing vines since 2004 and producing wine since 2009. Throughout we have remained true to our first love - crafting limited quantities of top-quality Sparkling Wines with a unique English twist," say Jonica and Gerard Fox.
Their winemaking philosophy is best described in their own words as "careful, imaginative, respectful of the nuance of season and place, non-interventionist, disciplined and thoughtful." It's a quietly confident approach that has paid off in the trophy cabinet and with customers.
The Vineyards: Hobdens, Mayfield and the High Weald
Fox & Fox's wines are an evocation of one of the most protected landscapes in southern England. Mayfield sits on the southern edge of the Sussex High Weald on its own ridge, overlooking the headwaters of the River Rother and sheltered in the rain-shadow of Crowborough Hill, the Weald's highest point. The High Weald remains the most densely wooded area of England, recognised as the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Hobdens Vineyard
Their most treasured parcel is Hobdens, a "hidden" vineyard tucked away just south of Mayfield, ringed by bluebell woods and ancient meadowland. Hobdens is twenty-one years old in 2025, with a mix of old and young vines that gives extraordinary depth and complexity to the wines. The vineyard grows Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and, historically, Pinot Gris, trained to the Double Guyot system on gently sloping, well-drained clay loam over Wealden clay. In 2021 the team substantially increased their Chardonnay plantings alongside more Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Terroir and soils
The roots of the Fox & Fox story are anchored in ancient soils. The land around Mayfield is part of the eroded Weald-Artois Anticline, with cretaceous sands, silts and clays that swirl over the landscape in ridges and valleys. Hobdens sits on pure Wadhurst clay, topped with more open clay loam and shot through with rust-coloured ironstone shales - perfect for slow-ripening, deeply flavoured fruit.
The Foxes are also quick to credit the Sussex climate itself: the cool growing season gives the grapes a long, gentle ripening, retaining acidity while building flavour. Mayfield's ridge is sheltered from icy winter winds and the worst of the wet summer westerlies by the surrounding hills.
The Grapes: Four Classic Varieties, Carefully Cloned
Fox & Fox work with four varieties across two vineyards, with each one chosen for what it brings to the blend or to a single-varietal cuvée.
Pinot Noir
The most planted variety at Fox & Fox, representing a little under 45% of plantings. Five different, mainly Burgundian clones deliver richness and fruitiness to the Blanc de Noirs sparkling wines, lifting notes of apple, strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant and cherry. They pair beautifully with traditional dishes such as braised belly of pork or baked apple desserts.
Pinot Meunier
A quietly expressive grape covered in pale, powdery leaves that stand out in the vineyard. Three Champagne clones are grown across three parcels, accounting for just under 15% of plantings. In exceptional years, Meunier becomes a single-varietal limited edition cuvée; in average years, it adds roundness and complexity to the Tradition blend. The first Meunier Brut 2014 was awarded a Gold medal by the IWSC in 2018.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay - almost 35% of plantings - thrives on the denser clay soils where water retention is highest. Three medium-yielding Burgundian clones and one more productive Champagne clone produce zesty, citrusy wines with strong personality. The award-winning Essence Brut Pure Chardonnay proves that top-quality sparkling wine does not need chalk soils to shine.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris at Fox & Fox is about 6% of plantings but punches well above its weight. The cool climate retains the variety's signature hints of ginger, honey, baked apple and clove. The first Pinot Gris harvest in 2013 was so good that it was given its own cuvée, supported by a modest amount of Chardonnay - the Inspiration Brut Blanc de Blancs, the first varietal Pinot Gris sparkling wine to be produced and released in the UK.
The Wines: A Cuvée-by-Cuvée Tour
Fox & Fox only release certain cuvées in exceptional years, which means each wine in the range is, by definition, a small-batch expression of the best of that vintage. Across the whole list, every wine has earned a gold or platinum medal.
Tradition Brut Blanc de Noirs 2014 - £44
The flagship: a joyous Pinot Noir-dominated fizz with enticing small bubbles, baked-apple richness and a satisfyingly long finish. Four years on lees and one year in cellar. Awarded Platinum and 97 points by the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2019, the Glass of Bubbly 2018 Trophy in the 'Fireworks' category and Gold in the Sommelier Wine Awards 2019. Featured on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen. Buy the Tradition Brut Blanc de Noirs 2014 or the Magnum format for £95.
CV (Chairman's Vat) Brut 2014 - Limited Edition - £40
Gerard Fox's love letter to all four grapes at Fox & Fox. A 60/20/20 blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, given an extra year on lees beyond the rest of the 2014 vintage. Arias of black fruit, biscuit and refreshment. Only 1,018 bottles were made. Won Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 on its very first outing. Buy CV here.
Essence Brut Pure Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs 2017 - £46
The cult wine: pure un-oaked Chardonnay, made only in very small quantities. Wine writers and Masters of Wine describe it as "classy", "a thing of beauty" and "classy… real sense of pristine fruit." A brilliant apéritif that also has real cellaring potential. Shop Essence 2017.
Expression Saignée Rosé Brut 2014 - £42
A complex saignée rosé capturing red berries and spice from predominantly Pinot Noir, lifted by a little Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. A waltz of raspberry aromas and a slow-dance of red summer berries, watermelon and lime notes on the finish. International Wine Challenge Silver 2021. Expression Saignée Rosé Brut 2014.
Midnight Dark Dry Rosé 2011 - £39
A limited edition of only 500 - 700 bottles in any year, made from extremely ripe Pinot Noir picked very late in the harvest calendar. Cherry, berry, cinnamon and clove. Awarded Glass of Bubbly 2019 Gold Medal and Trophy in the Gastronomic Category. Buy Midnight.
Mosaic Brut White 2016 - £36
Their anytime fizz: pale gold with delicate malty/toasty aromas, a rich mousse of energetic orchard fruit bubbles, lively and dry. Anthony Rose MW scored it 94 points. Order Mosaic Brut White.
Mosaic Midsummer Rosé 2015 - £36
Summer sunshine and lush red berries in a glass. A slightly higher Pinot Noir and Meunier proportion than the Mosaic Brut, with a pretty salmon pink colour and a citrusy finish. Buy Mosaic Midsummer Rosé.
Astronomer's Limited Edition Trilogy - £165
The Fox & Fox magnum opus: three limited edition wines - a Blanc de Noirs, a Blanc de Blancs and a pure Chardonnay - each vinified in small individual batches from mature vines. Inspired by the High Weald's Dark Skies and Gerard Fox's lifelong love of astronomy. The Trilogy includes the Astral 2019 (Pinot Noir, baked apple, £59), the Apogee 2019 (Pinot Gris and Chardonnay blanc de blancs, lightly spiced, £59) and the Eclipse 2019 (pure Chardonnay, citrus and shortbread, £59). Buy the Trilogy.
Blanc de Blancs Vintage Duo - £81
A vertical of two vintages of Essence Brut Pure Chardonnay - 2014 and 2017 - for tasters who want to compare vintages side by side. Order the Blanc de Blancs Vintage Duo.
Rosé Days Trio - £109
A delicious trio of two bottles of Expression Saignée Rosé Brut 2014 alongside a bottle of Mosaic Midsummer Rosé 2015. Shop the Rosé Days Trio.
Choose your case of six - £216 (was £270)
Build your own mixed case of any six bottles from the Fox & Fox range. Build your case.
Wine Facts: Technical Detail at a Glance
Fox & Fox publish full fizz facts for every wine in their range. All wines are 12% ABV (with Solera M.V. at 11.6%) and contain no animal-derived products - they are suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets. Even the sugar used for secondary fermentation is certified organic and vegan, and the team avoids additives such as enzymes.
- Tradition - Pinot Noir / Chardonnay - 10 g/L dosage - 96 kcal per 125ml
- Essence - Chardonnay - 8 g/L dosage - 94 kcal per 125ml
- Elizabethan - Pinot Gris / Chardonnay - 12 g/L dosage - 98 kcal per 125ml
- Astral - Pinot Noir / Chardonnay - 6 g/L dosage - 92 kcal per 125ml
- Apogee - Chardonnay / Pinot Gris - 9 g/L dosage - 95 kcal per 125ml
- Eclipse - Chardonnay - 12 g/L dosage - 100 kcal per 125ml
- Solera M.V. - Multi-vintage Pinot Noir / Chardonnay - 4.5 g/L dosage - 92 kcal per 125ml
Awards, Reviews and the Critics' Verdict
Fox & Fox do not aim for medals, but they are delighted when they come. The 2014 Tradition Brut Blanc de Noirs, the cornerstone of the range, has won Decanter Platinum (97 points), Sommelier Wine Awards Gold, Glass of Bubbly Trophy in the 'Fireworks' category and featured on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen. The Expression Saignée Rosé Brut 2014 was awarded a Silver at the International Wine Challenge in 2021 and was named Great British Wine's Wine of the Month in June 2021. The Meunier Brut 2014 was awarded Gold by the IWSC in 2018.
Wine writers have been unstinting in their praise. Tom Stevenson, the world's leading Champagne and sparkling wine authority, scored the Essence 2011 a 97 and called it "extremely intense, almost a concentrate of blanc de blancs, with an essence of lime to the fruit. Very, very long. Astonishing." Olly Smith, on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, told viewers: "A platinum award winner, which is top of the top, from England, home grown, this is Fox & Fox from Sussex. I'm so delighted that they've won. Putting England on the map, it really shows the calibre is there. The zing, the brightness!"
Nature, Dark Skies and the Astronomer's Inspiration
Fox & Fox are deeply embedded in the ecology of the High Weald. Their field margins, hedgerows, ponds and copses are managed for biodiversity, with a bee and pollen mix sown in the alleyways. The vineyards are over-flown by buzzards and red kites, with visiting Hobbies, kestrels and sparrow-hawks all on the regular list. The team has been amazed to find Common Centaury (Bitterwort) growing in the alleyways, a wild flower more usually found on very dry soils.
At night, the High Weald's protected dark skies come into their own. Gerard Fox has been a keen amateur astronomer since his teens and now captures deep-sky objects - galaxies, nebulae and star clusters - from the vineyard itself. The Astronomer's Limited Edition Trilogy was inspired by this love of stargazing and moonlit walks amongst the vines, with the Iris Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Eagle Nebula and the Orion Nebula all pictured on the project pages.
Harvest Reports: A Year in the Vines
The Foxes publish detailed Harvest Reports every year, charting the highs and lows of the English growing season. Recent entries include the 2025 vintage ("Pinot Noir at its absolute best," an unusually warm and balanced year), 2024 ("The Year of Too Much Weather," with the cloudiest April in 50 years), 2023 ("A Growing Season Like No Other," including the driest January and February in records) and 2022 ("Dry and at Times Very Warm"). The 2025 season was shaped by a warm March, an early start, and a final GDD (Growing Degree Day) accumulation of 1025 between April and October.
Gifts and Accessories
The Fox & Fox gifts range is small but well chosen. The Foxy Stopper (£12) is a spill-proof stopper for sparkling bottles, presented in a blue organdie bag. Cork Pliers (£23) make light work of stubborn corks - ideal paired with a bottle of fizz. The Wine Notes Notebook (£15) is for keeping tasting records. Magnums of the Tradition Brut Blanc de Noirs 2014 (£95) make particularly handsome gifts, and full gift wrapping is available on request with a personal message card.
Visiting Fox & Fox
Fox & Fox are a quiet, online-first winery rather than a busy cellar door. The Hobdens vineyard sits just south of Mayfield in East Sussex, with the postal address for correspondence and returns given as Lakestreet Vineyard LLP, Hobdens, Wellbrook Hill, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6HH. The registered office of the four operating companies - Sussex Vineyards Ltd, Mayfield Vineyards Ltd, Hobdens Vineyards LLP and Lakestreet Vineyard LLP - is at 8 High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8LS.
Because the team still spend most of their working week in the vineyard, they encourage anyone planning a visit to make contact in advance. The Fox & Fox team say: "We love talking wine and are always happy to hear from you. Please feel free to ask us questions or tell us what you think about our wines. We always try to respond quickly, we spend a lot of our time in our vineyards so occasionally we're a little slower." The telephone number for customer service is 01435 87 27 62.
Ordering, Delivery and Tasting Notes
All online prices include shipping by courier to UK Mainland (subject to postcode), and most orders go out the same day and are delivered within 48 hours. The Fox & Fox courier will normally deliver between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, with Saturday delivery available at extra cost on request. Unfortunately, Fox & Fox are no longer able to despatch wines directly outside the UK, and EU/EFTA orders are no longer accepted for individual purchases.
Wines are not filtered, so the occasional fleck of grape skin or clear tartrate crystal may appear in the bottle - entirely natural and harmless. The standard 14-day cancellation right applies, provided the bottles are unopened and the seals unbroken. Payment is by electronic bank transfer (BACs); credit and debit cards are not accepted at present.
Following Fox & Fox
Wine lovers can follow Fox & Fox on Facebook (FoxAndFoxMayfield), Instagram (@foxandfox.wine) and Twitter/X at @sussexvineyards. Signing up to the mailing list offers priority access to events and exclusive offers - well worth doing for the new releases and small-batch limited editions that often sell out within hours of release.
Final Verdict
Fox & Fox are the kind of producer that the English sparkling wine industry needs more of: a small, family-run, grower-producer making wines of genuine quality from a single, well-understood terroir. From the Decanter Platinum-winning Tradition Brut Blanc de Noirs to the chef-honed Expression Saignée Rosé, from the cult Essence Chardonnay to the celestial Astronomer's Trilogy, every bottle in the range rewards the patient drinker. Whether you choose a single bottle of the Mosaic Brut White to brighten a Tuesday evening supper or invest in the Magnum of Tradition 2014 for a true celebration, the wines of Fox & Fox are a quietly stunning expression of Sussex.