Gusbourne - Halnaker Vineyard

Gusbourne Estate, Appledore: A Guide to Kent's Benchmark English Sparkling Producer

Tucked into a quiet bend of the Kent countryside, just outside the village of Appledore near Ashford, Gusbourne has quietly become one of the most decorated names in English wine. Planted in 2004 by South African-born founder Andrew Weeber, the estate now spans some 60 hectares of vineyard in Kent and a further 29 hectares in West Sussex, all farmed to produce a single, unwavering promise: vintage English wines made only from estate-grown fruit, crafted by the traditional method.

Now celebrating its 20th vintage, Gusbourne produces a tightly focused range of vintage sparkling wines and a small but acclaimed collection of still wines, all under the watchful eye of Head Winemaker Mary Bridges. The estate's cellar door, The Nest, is one of the most visited wine destinations in the south-east, and in 2025 Gusbourne was crowned British Luxury Brand of the Year by Walpole, named in the World's 50 Best Vineyards (ranked #28 for visitor experience), and awarded the King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade. This guide walks through everything you need to know: the story, the wines, the visits and the people behind them.

Where is Gusbourne and how do you visit?

Gusbourne sits at Kenardington Road, Appledore, Ashford, Kent, TN26 2BE. The estate is about 15 minutes' drive from Ashford International and 10 minutes from Rye. Driving is by far the easiest option; there is free parking on site but no coach parking. If you are coming by train, the team recommends Ashford International, where trains from St Pancras International and Stratford International depart every 15 minutes. From Ashford, pre-book a taxi - the estate's preferred supplier is ETM Cars, with an agreed £30 set rate to Gusbourne. Avoid Appledore station despite being closest on the map: there are no taxis and the walking route is unsafe.

The Nest tasting room and cellar door are open every day from 10:00 until 17:00, including bank holidays. You can drop in for a self-guided tour (45 minutes), wine by the glass and a small menu of snacks and platters on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in summer. For everything else, you book ahead.

Getting in touch

• Tour and tasting enquiries: nest@gusbourne.com or +44 (0)1233 884680
• General and trade enquiries: info@gusbourne.com or +44 (0)1622 809763
• Corporate: corporate@gusbourne.com
• International: exports@gusbourne.com
• Press: allie.mount@gusbourne.com
• Membership: membership@gusbourne.com
• Patrons / Investor relations: patrons@gusbourne.com / investorrelations@gusbourne.com

A short history of Gusbourne

The original Gusbourne estate was founded in 1410 by John de Goosebourne; his family crest, three geese, still adorns Appledore Church and inspires the signature 'goosemark' found on every bottle today. After centuries in agricultural use, the modern wine estate began in 2003 when Andrew Weeber, a former Stellenbosch businessman, purchased the property with a bold ambition: to make world-class English sparkling wine.

The first vines went into the ground in May 2004, with Vineyard Manager Jon Pollard - employee 'No. 1' - helping to plant Butness, the original five-hectare block. Cherry Garden and Pond followed in 2005, Boot Hill in 2006 and 2007, and further expansion in 2014 added Commanders, Heartbreak and Mill Hill East in Kent, plus 29 hectares in West Sussex. The debut harvest came in 2006, and the first wines - Brut Reserve 2006 and Blanc de Blancs 2006 - were released to critical acclaim in 2010.

Major milestones since then include:

• 2012 - Gusbourne is served at the London Olympics.
• 2016 - the state-of-the-art winery in Appledore is completed.
• 2017 - The Nest, the award-winning cellar door and tasting room, opens.
• 2017 - Pinot Noir 2015 becomes the first English still wine to win a Decanter Platinum Award.
• 2022 - selected to supply the Platinum Jubilee English Sparkling Wine for the Royal Collection.
• 2022 - the inaugural vintage of Fifty One Degrees North, Gusbourne's prestige bottling, is released.
• 2023 - commissioned to produce the English Sparkling Wine for the coronations of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
• 2024 - awarded the King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
• 2025 - named Walpole British Luxury Brand of the Year; included in the World's 50 Best Vineyards; takes the Chairman's Trophy at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships.
• 2026 - celebrating the 20th vintage with landmark releases and a limited-edition Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2016 featuring artwork by Margate-based artist Lily Mixe.

The vineyards and the winemaking

Gusbourne's philosophy is straightforward: the only way to ensure the quality of our grapes is to grow them ourselves. Every bottle is made from estate-grown fruit, harvested by hand and picked at the optimum moment determined by Chief Vineyard Manager Jon Pollard. Predominantly Burgundian clones of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are grown across the Kent vineyards; the slightly cooler West Sussex plots add a complementary terroir.

In the winery, the approach is low-intervention and patient. Grapes are whole-bunch pressed and naturally settled before fermenting in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with a small proportion fermented in old French oak barrels for complexity. Sparkling wines are bottled and hand-stacked in the cellar for a long, gentle lees-ageing on Diam Mytik corks - the very technique that gives Gusbourne its characteristic depth and salinity. If a vintage doesn't meet the team's exacting standards, it simply isn't released. As the team puts it: we don't release a wine unless it tells our story.

Sustainability

Gusbourne is a founder member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. The winery runs on 99% renewable energy, bottling waste has been reduced to zero, and water use is tracked vintage by vintage. In the vineyards, the team holds Gold accreditation from its most recent sustainability audit and is now actively moving towards regenerative viticulture - Butness Vineyard has been entered into the One Block Challenge run by the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation.

The wines

Gusbourne's range is intentionally tight. The classic sparkling portfolio is built around the three varieties of Champagne, with single-vineyard and limited-edition releases sitting above it and the prestige Fifty One Degrees North at the top. Still wines are made only in the most expressive years.

Classic Sparkling Wines

The heart of the range, all vintage-dated and made in the traditional method.

• Brut Reserve 2022 - £45 / £40 member. The best-selling wine. A classic blend of 54% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir and 14% Pinot Meunier. Opulent and elegant with orchard fruits, toasted cobnuts and a long, zesty finish. Gold Medal winner at CSWWC 2025.
• Rosé 2020 - £55 / £45 member. A sparkling for all seasons, blending 59% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir and 12% Pinot Meunier. Delicate pink with summer berries, redcurrant and a creamy texture. Recommended with grilled prawns, pork belly and Eton Mess.
• Blanc de Blancs 2020 - £65 / £55 member. The signature wine, 100% Chardonnay with at least 52 months on lees. Elegant, complex and salty, with grated ginger, freshly baked croissants and toasted hazelnuts. Served at the 2012 London Olympics opening party and at Buckingham Palace.
• Blanc de Noirs 2020 - £65 / £55 member. Intense and red-fruit driven (65% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay). Gold Medal winner and Best in Class English Blanc de Noirs at CSWWC 2025.
• Brut Reserve Half Bottle Pack of 2 (2021) - £60. Two 37.5cl bottles, perfect for impromptu suppers.

Still Wines

• Gusbourne Chardonnay 2024 - £40. Hand-picked Chardonnay from Appledore, fermented and aged in 500L French oak puncheons. A pale straw colour with citrus, nectarine, crunchy pear and a wet-stone mineral finish.
• Chardonnay Boot Hill Vineyard 2022 - £55. Single-vineyard still Chardonnay. Gold medal winner at the 2026 International Wine Challenge.
• Pinot Meunier Single Vineyard Mill Hill East 2022 - £35. Soft, fruit-driven 100% Pinot Meunier, with red cherry, ripe blueberries and floral notes. Silver at IWC 2024.
• English Rosé 2025 - sold out. Estate-grown still Pinot Noir, pale pink with summer berries and orange zest. A 2-bottle minimum.
• Pinot Noir 2022 - sold out. The Best English Red at the IWC Awards 2024.

Limited Editions and Single-Vineyard Wines

• Oak Reserve 2019 - £75. A bold, oak-fermented Chardonnay aged in 4,000L foudres.
• Gusbourne Agrafe 2020 - £85. A unique English take on cork-aged sparkling, disgorged by hand. Gold Medal winner at CSWWC 2025.
• Blanc de Meuniers, Boot Hill Vineyard, Kent 2019 - £95. 100% Pinot Meunier from Boot Hill. Gold Medal at CSWWC 2025.
• Blanc de Blancs, Butness Vineyard, Kent 2019 - £95. Debut single-vineyard wine from Butness.
• Blanc de Blancs, Commanders Vineyard, Kent 2019 - £95. A precise, mineral Chardonnay.
• Blanc de Blancs Cork Aged 2013 - £105. A mature, oxidative-style sparkling.

Magnums

• Brut Reserve Magnum 2019 - £95
• Pinot Meunier Single Vineyard Mill Hill East Magnum 2022 - £75
• Rosé Magnum 2017 - £120
• Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2018 - £135
• Blanc de Noirs Magnum 2018 - £135

Fifty One Degrees North

The prestige cuvée, named after the latitude of the vineyards. Made only in the most exceptional vintages from the finest parcels of fruit, aged on lees for more than six years.

• Fifty One Degrees North 2016 (75cl) - £195. Gold Medal at CSWWC 2025 and No. 2 in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Wines of 2025. Tamlyn Currin of jancisrobinson.com called it "complete"; Christina Pickard in Wine Enthusiast called it "England's most premium sparkler".
• Fifty One Degrees North 2016 Magnum - £395. The same wine in a 1.5L format.

Gift Sets and Members-Only Wines

• Gusbourne Rosé and Blancs Gift Set - £120. Rosé 2020 and Blanc de Blancs 2020 in a wooden gift box.
• Gusbourne Blancs and Noirs Gift Set - £130. Blanc de Noirs 2020 and Blanc de Blancs 2020 in a wooden gift box.
• Westley Richards x Gusbourne wine carrier with Fifty One Degrees North - £300. A bespoke leather carrier by the Birmingham gunmaker, with a bottle of the 2016 prestige cuvée.
• Library wines (Blanc de Blancs 2016 Cellar Release, Rosé 2015, Rosé 2016 Cellar Release, Blanc de Blancs 2018, Blanc de Noirs 2019, Brut Reserve Late Disgorged 2013, Chardonnay Guinevere Magnum 2019, Brut Reserve 2020) are available exclusively to members and priced from £45 to £105.

Members also have access to a small range of Gusbourne-branded wine accessories, including lead-free crystal sparkling wine glasses (set of six), a brushed-steel sparkling wine stopper and a waiter's friend corkscrew.

Membership

Gusbourne runs two members' clubs, both offering preferential pricing on classic sparkling wines, complimentary tastings, concierge service, and preview access to new releases and library wines.

• Explored - £540 per year or £45 per month. A bottle of still or sparkling wine delivered to your door each month, a welcome sparkling tasting flight voucher for four, and one complimentary event per year.
• Collectors - £800 per year. A quarterly delivery of three of the rarest wines (including prestige cuvées such as Fifty One Degrees North), a welcome gift of Blanc de Blancs 2020 and two glasses, two complimentary events per year, and priority booking on masterclasses and limited events.

Both memberships make wonderful gifts; gift cards are valid for six months from purchase, after which the recipient activates a 12-month membership. Concierge: membership@gusbourne.com.

Tours and tastings at The Nest

The Nest is Gusbourne's cellar door and the starting point for almost every visitor experience. There are seven core experiences on the calendar, plus seasonal variations throughout the year.

Year-round experiences

• Sparkling Tasting Flight - £30, ~1 hour. A relaxed self-guided tasting of the four classic sparkling wines. The perfect introduction to the range.
• Classic Vineyard Tour and Tasting - £50, 1.5 hours. A guided walk in the vines followed by a tutored tasting overlooking the Kent countryside.
• Limited Edition Wines Tasting Flight - £75, ~90 minutes. A short tour followed by a tasting of the most luxurious and limited wines, including Fifty One Degrees North.
• Vineyard Platter for Two with Wine - £90 / £80 member, 1 - 2 hours. A picnic-style platter of Kentish produce with a bottle of Brut Reserve, served in The Nest garden in summer and the tasting room in winter. Upgrades to Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs or a flight of four wines are available.
• Estate Tour with Lunch - £120 / £100 member, 4 hours (finishes ~3.30pm). The five-star rated best-seller. A glass of sparkling on arrival, a guided vineyard tour, an extended tasting of classic and limited wines, and a seasonal three-course lunch with paired wines.
• Icons Experience with Lunch - £175 / £155 member, 4 hours. An exclusive tour, masterclass and four-course lunch exploring the rarest wines in the cellar.

Booking notes

• All hosted experiences involve wine tasting and walking on working vineyard ground; children and dogs (other than assistance dogs) cannot be accommodated upstairs on the Estate Tour, Icons Experience or special events.
• Self-guided tours (45 minutes) and casual dining are available without pre-booking.
• The Nest serves wine by the glass and bottle for walk-in visitors on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
• Cancellations: 28 days' notice for a full refund or re-arrangement.

Seasonal and special events 2026

Gusbourne runs a busy calendar of events at the estate and around the UK. Upcoming events include:

• Gusbourne Wine Safari and Lunch - Sunday 16th August 2026, £60. A sociable stroll through the vineyard with four sparkling tastings along the way, finishing with the Vineyard Platter in The Nest garden.
• Members' Late Summer Lunch - Monday 31st August 2026 (Bank Holiday), £80. A three-course late-summer lunch paired with award-winning Gusbourne wines.
• Harvest Estate Tour with Lunch 2026 - Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 10th to 20th September, £120 / £100 member. A behind-the-scenes look at harvest, with the chance to taste ripe grapes from the vine and juice fresh from the press, followed by a tutored tasting and three-course lunch.
• Members' Autumn Celebration Tasting at The Nest - 25th - 27th September 2026, complimentary. A walk-around tasting of vintages from across the portfolio, set within the cellar door overlooking the estate. Members and one guest.
• Gusbourne's Autumn Celebration Tasting at Glaziers Hall, London - 17th - 18th October 2026, £45. The flagship walk-around tasting in three stunning spaces at Glaziers Hall, including the iconic River Room overlooking the Thames.
• Members' Autumn Celebration Tasting at Glaziers Hall, London - 17th - 18th October 2026, complimentary. The same event reserved for Members and one guest.
• Festive Estate Tour and Lunch - 27th November to 20th December 2026, £120. A wintery twist on the classic Estate Tour, with a festive-inspired three-course lunch paired with each course.
• Members' Christmas Lunches - selected dates November & December 2026, £70. An indulgent festive lunch reserved for Members.

Gift vouchers for tours and tastings are valid for 12 months and can be redeemed against any experience, including seasonal Harvest and Festive Estate Tours.

Private events and corporate experiences

Beyond the public calendar, Gusbourne hosts private celebrations and corporate events across multiple spaces on the estate, all with exclusive use for the duration of the booking. Capacities and styles:

• The Nest - up to 32 guests
• The Hide - up to 16 - 20 guests
• The Winemakers' Library - up to 20 guests
• The Cellar - up to 16 guests, set within the working winery
• The Nest Garden and Pergola - up to 80 / 54 guests
• Boot Hill Garden - up to 36 guests
• Boot Hill Deck - up to 18 guests, among the Pinot Noir vines

A typical private lunch itinerary runs from 11am to 3pm and includes a welcome glass of Gusbourne, a guided vineyard tour with a glass in the vines, a tutored tasting and a three- or four-course seasonal lunch - from £120 per person plus £300 room hire, with preferential rates for Members. Corporate days can be tailored to combine meetings, tours, tastings and lunch, and the team works with partners including Whatley Manor and others for bespoke menus. For pricing and bespoke packages, contact corporate@gusbourne.com or telephone 01233 884680.

Where to enjoy Gusbourne

Beyond the estate, Gusbourne is poured across many of the UK's leading hotels, restaurants and cultural venues. Recent listings include the Cowdray Gold Cup finals, the Somerset House Summer Series with American Express, Opera Holland Park, Kirtlington Park Polo Club, the Spirit of Tenterden Festival, the Lanesborough's Cowdray Cream Tea, Grantley Hall, Rocksalt Folkestone, Pine Trees Hotel Pitlochry, Hatch House Ballet Under the Stars, The Nare, Porthminster Beach Café in St Ives, MOR by Tom Sellers at Carbis Bay, and venues across the Paul Ainsworth Collection including The Mariners and St Enodoc.

Online shop and delivery

All wines, gift sets, gift cards and membership can be purchased directly from gusbourne.com. Free UK mainland delivery is offered on all orders, with next-working-day dispatch via third-party couriers. Gift Cards are valid for 12 months and can be used for wine, accessories, experiences or special-event tickets. International orders are no longer shipped direct; instead, the team can point you to a network of overseas distributors covering more than 25 countries from Australia and New Zealand to Japan, the USA and across Europe.

The people behind the wines

Gusbourne is led by a small, long-standing team. Chief Vineyard Manager Jon Pollard has been with the estate since 2004 and oversees a low-intervention, sustainable approach that has driven the winemaking from day one. Head Winemaker Mary Bridges took on the role in September 2023, joining in time to lead the 2023 vintage - Gusbourne's largest to date - and the release of the Fifty One Degrees North 2016. Laura Rhys, Master Sommelier, is Gusbourne's Global Ambassador and curates the wine glasses used by the team.

Final word

From a handful of Kentish fields planted in 2004 to a Royal warrant, a place in the World's 50 Best Vineyards and a string of gold medals at CSWWC 2025, Gusbourne has set a benchmark for vintage English sparkling and still wine. The combination of estate-only fruit, a meticulous low-intervention winery and a tasting room with a view over the vines makes it one of the most compelling wine destinations in the UK. Whether you come for an Estate Tour with lunch, a Sparkling Tasting Flight, a Members' Christmas Lunch or simply a glass of Brut Reserve on The Nest terrace, the team aims to deliver time well spent.