Nyetimber: The Pioneer of English Sparkling Wine
About Nyetimber: The Pioneer of English Sparkling Wine
Tucked into the rural heart of the South of England, Nyetimber is widely regarded as the pioneer of premium English sparkling wine. The estate was the first in England to plant the celebrated trio of Champagne grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - exclusively for the production of traditional-method sparkling wine. Every bottle of Nyetimber is made from estate-grown fruit, crafted in the same meticulous manner as the great houses of Champagne, and aged for extended periods on lees in the Nyetimber cellars to build depth, complexity and finesse.
Today Nyetimber's wines are served at the finest restaurants, hotels and embassies around the world, listed at Fortnum & Mason, Hedonism and Harrods in London, and chosen as the official sparkling wine partner of England Rugby and Richmond Rugby Club. In 2025 Nyetimber's Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum became the first ever non-Champagne wine to be crowned Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge, while head winemaker Cherie Spriggs was named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year for the second time.
From the Domesday Book to the South Downs
The Nyetimber estate counts three major milestones in its history. The earliest sees its name - in the form "Nitimbreha" - recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, almost a thousand years ago, when William the Conqueror's survey first placed the peaceful valley on the map. The second milestone arrived almost 902 years later, in 1988, when the holy trinity of sparkling wine grape varieties was first planted in the lee of the South Downs. The third came in 2006, when Eric Heerema acquired the estate, believing that its ideal soils and location had yet to achieve their full potential.
Heerema recruited Canadian-born Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs and her husband, Winemaker Brad Greatrix, who had first encountered Nyetimber when Cherie's parents gave them a bottle as a gift. They joined in 2007 and have since built Nyetimber into a producer whose wines are blind-tasted against - and frequently out-perform - the great cuvées of Champagne. As Eric Heerema puts it: "I don't think in years but in generations."
The Estate, Terroir and Team
Nyetimber's vines are spread across several separate sites in West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, planted on the same belt of greensand and chalk soils that underlies the English Channel and continues into Champagne. The gentle, south-facing slopes and the mild maritime climate allow for the slow ripening of grapes, achieving the optimum balance of ripeness, acidity, complexity and finesse for which Nyetimber wines are renowned.
Every parcel of fruit is gently pressed and vinified separately so that Cherie Spriggs can distinguish the subtle but distinctive differences between each vineyard plot. The wines are crafted according to the traditional method, aged for a minimum of three years on lees in Nyetimber's own cellars, and given generous post-disgorgement ageing before release. Around 30% of the total estate is natural, non-productive habitat - hedgerows, broadleaved woodland, ponds and wildflower meadows - supporting biodiversity across the South Downs.
The Nyetimber Range of English Sparkling Wines
The current Nyetimber collection comprises a flagship non-vintage blend, a rosé, a demi-sec, a 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, a single-vineyard Pinot-led wine, and two prestige cuvées - the white and rosé versions of 1086 by Nyetimber. Every wine is bottled at Nyetimber's own pressing centre and winery at West Chiltington, and each bottle is labelled with its bottling, riddling and disgorgement dates so that the full chronology is transparent.
Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage
The signature wine of Nyetimber is a classic blend of 55 - 65% Chardonnay, 30 - 40% Pinot Noir and 5 - 15% Pinot Meunier, drawn from across all the estate's vineyards and several vintages. Following extensive lees ageing - usually more than three years - the Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage (£42) shows distinctive toasty and spicy aromas over a palate of honey, almond, pastry and baked apples. Pale gold in colour with fine, persistent bubbles, it is consistently crowned one of the best English sparkling wines and pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, oysters, scallops, asparagus and sushi.
Rosé Multi-Vintage
A textured and generous sparkling rosé with a core of bright red fruit evoking the English summer, the Rosé Multi-Vintage (£47) is a sunset-pink blend of 45 - 75% Chardonnay and 25 - 55% Pinot Noir with a touch of Pinot Meunier. Its creamy round texture carries redcurrant, raspberry and cherry flavours through to an elegant, silky finish, with British summer fruits and shortbread on the nose. Recommended pairings include salmon fillets, brown crab, veal carpaccio and guinea fowl.
Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage
The celebrated demi-sec - the first of its kind in England - the Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage (£42) is 100% Chardonnay with 38 g/L residual sugar, balancing lively lemon zest, mineral notes and a hint of tangerine with crisp acidity and a clean, pure structure. Its name nods to its French inspiration and its sweetness makes it a uniquely versatile partner for strawberries and cream, fruit tarts, afternoon tea, meringue, foie gras and the aromatic cuisines of China, Japan and Thailand.
Blanc de Blancs 2017
A pure 100% Chardonnay crafted from a single vintage and given extended time on lees - over four years - the Blanc de Blancs 2017 (£58) is the style first ever produced at Nyetimber. Pale gold with a fine, delicate mousse, it shows aromas of lemon curd, greengage, clotted cream and shortcrust pastry, with gooseberry, apple crumble and a flinty mineral character on the palate. The Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum became the first non-Champagne to win Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge in 2025, scoring 97 points.
Tillington Single Vineyard 2016
A rare and refined single-vineyard wine that encapsulates the exceptional terroir of one of Nyetimber's most celebrated plots, the Tillington Single Vineyard 2016 (£110) is 73% Pinot Noir and 27% Chardonnay grown on greensand soils and aged for around 60 months on lees. Pale gold with very fine bubbles, it offers intense aromas of raspberry, red apple skin and rose petal, with layers of orange zest, apricot and marzipan on a vibrant, mouth-watering finish. Pair with monkfish, John Dory or other delicate seafood.
1086 by Nyetimber
The pinnacle of Nyetimber's winemaking, 1086 by Nyetimber was England's first ever prestige cuvée. The current release, the 2014 vintage, is a blend of 51% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 9% Pinot Meunier drawn from the most expressive parcels of exceptional years. Aged extensively in Nyetimber's estate cellars and allowed a generous period of post-disgorgement maturation, it shows rich red apple, peach and white rose petal aromatics layered with almond and clotted cream in a long, refined finish. Available at £150 per bottle, 1086 pairs seamlessly with caviar, lobster, turbot, scallops, sashimi and oysters.
1086 by Nyetimber Rosé
The pinnacle of Nyetimber's rosé winemaking, the 1086 by Nyetimber Rosé is made from 36% Chardonnay and 64% Pinot Noir sourced from only the most outstanding of years. The 2016 vintage (£175) shows wild strawberry, red apple and floral aromas entwined with chantilly cream and hints of freshly baked brioche in a long, luxurious finish. Opulent and intense with refined bubbles, it is the perfect partner for duck breast, veal carpaccio, steak tartare, lobster bisque and grilled octopus.
Large Format Bottles: Magnums and Jeroboams
Nyetimber wines are at their finest when poured from bigger bottles - the ideal size for ageing and the perfect centrepiece to a celebration table. Magnums (1.5L) and Jeroboams (3L) of Nyetimber are produced in limited numbers and include:
- Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage Magnum (1.5L) - £85
- Classic Cuvee Vintage 2010 Magnum - £95
- Blanc de Blancs 2017 Magnum - £130
- 1086 by Nyetimber 2013 Magnum (1.5L) - £325
- 1086 by Nyetimber Rosé 2013 Magnum - £375
- Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage Jeroboam (3L) - £223
- 1086 by Nyetimber 2013 Jeroboam (3L) - £725
The Classic Cuvee Magnums case (£239) is a triple magnum of Nyetimber's signature wine. The full large bottle collection is available online.
Experiences and Tours at the Estate
The Nyetimber Estate is not open to the public on a drop-in basis, but the team hosts a memorable calendar of experiences - from guided vineyard walks and seasonal dinners to exclusive brand-ambassador tastings. Bookings are taken through the Nyetimber online shop or by emailing experiences@nyetimber.com.
Open Day Tours
The signature experience, the Open Day Tour (£50 per ticket, fully redeemable against a case of six bottles purchased on the day), runs across the May - September season. The two-and-a-half-hour visit begins with a welcome in the White Barn and an introduction to the rich history of Nyetimber, followed by a guided walking tour through the historic Sussex vineyards - home to some of the oldest vines in England. Guests then step inside Nyetimber's 15th-century Medieval Barn for a tasting of Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, Rosé Multi-Vintage, Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage and the Blanc de Blancs 2017. Tickets are limited to four per order and are non-refundable.
The Nyetimber Bus
The Nyetimber is a beautifully reimagined 1968 Routemaster bus that offers a luxurious, quintessentially British setting for guests to relax and enjoy a glass of England's finest sparkling wine. With a handcrafted wooden and copper bar, a Union Jack cut from English oak on the lower deck, and an upper deck with views over the action, the bus attends iconic British events throughout the year - from Henley Royal Regatta and Queen's Club Championships to Epsom Derby, Cheltenham Festival and the Glyndebourne Festival. Enquiries can be sent to experiences@nyetimber.com.
Paired Dining Experiences
Held in the atmospheric setting of the Estate at night, the 1086 by Nyetimber Paired Dining Experience (£195 per guest) is a refined four-course seasonal dinner paired with Nyetimber wines, including the prestige cuvée 1086. The Sparkling Celebration of Seafood (£220) pairs the natural acidity of Nyetimber's wines with a luxurious seafood-led menu crafted by Executive Chef Steven Edwards. Both experiences run throughout the May - September 2026 season and are subject to availability.
Exclusive Brand Ambassador Tastings
For a Nyetimber experience like no other, the Exclusive Brand Ambassador Tasting brings a Nyetimber ambassador to a venue of your choice. The 1.5-hour session (£1,700 for up to 10 guests) covers the history of Nyetimber, traditional-method sparkling winemaking, a tasting masterclass and a tutored tasting of Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, Rosé Multi-Vintage, Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage, Blanc de Blancs and Tillington Single Vineyard. Glasses, bottles and tasting materials are delivered in advance. Bookings and quotes for additional wines or guests are available on request by calling 0800 804 8107 or emailing experiences@nyetimber.com.
Events Calendar and Sponsored Partnerships
Nyetimber maintains an active calendar of events across the UK, supporting the country's most iconic sporting and cultural occasions, with two flagship seasonal programmes - Nyetimber Open Weekends (May to September 2026) and Dining Experiences at the Estate (May to September 2026) - joined by sponsored appearances at Henley Royal Regatta (30 June - 5 July 2026), the Queen's Championships Tennis (6 - 21 June 2026), Epsom Derby, the Newmarket Guineas and the Cheltenham Festival.
In January 2026 Nyetimber was named the official sparkling wine partner of Richmond Rugby Club, extending the brand's long-term collaboration with England Rugby. A magnum of Nyetimber is presented to the Player of the Match after every Men's and Women's first team game, and Nyetimber is served by the glass and bottle at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
Weddings with Nyetimber
While the Nyetimber Estate does not host private weddings, the dedicated wedding team works with couples across the country to supply English sparkling wine for every moment of the day. The Nyetimber Weddings offer encompasses four cornerstones: wedding wines and food pairings, wedding packages, wedding tasting experiences, and personalisation and gifting.
Wedding Wines and Pairings
From the Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage - the ideal aperitif and reception wine - through to the prestige 1086 by Nyetimber, every Nyetimber wine has a moment in the day. The Classic Cuvee is available as 75cl, 150cl and 300cl formats; the Rosé, Cuvee Chérie, Blanc de Blancs 2017 and 1086 Rosé are available in 75cl and magnum; Tillington Single Vineyard 2016 and 1086 White 2014 are 75cl only. Food pairings range from smoked salmon and oysters at the canapés stage, to duck and salmon fillets during the wedding breakfast, to wedding cake and speeches with the balanced sweetness of Cuvee Chérie.
Wedding Packages
The wedding packages reward larger orders with personalised keepsakes:
- The Sparkling Choice for Intimate Celebrations - 60+ bottles: personalised Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage or Rosé gift set with stopper.
- The Sparkling Choice for Larger Parties - 120+ bottles: personalised magnum plus two Open Day tickets.
- The Prestige Choice for Intimate Occasions - 9+ bottles of 1086: complimentary 1086 bottle; 30+ bottles: complimentary 1086 Rosé magnum.
- The Prestige Choice for Larger Parties - 60+ bottles of 1086: private tour for six at the Nyetimber Estate.
- Nyetimber Favours - 12+ bottles of 375ml Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage supplied with name tags and ribbons.
Wedding Experiences
Couples can visit Nyetimber's central London tasting room at 21 Palmer Street for a curated tasting flight - three wines, four wines or an elevated session including 1086 by Nyetimber - lasting around 90 minutes. Virtual wedding tastings via Zoom or Teams can be arranged by appointment. Pricing starts from £50 per person for an in-person tasting and from £75 per delivery address for a virtual tasting. The 2026 Nyetimber Wedding Brochure is available to download, and enquiries can be sent to weddingwine@nyetimber.com.
Corporate Gifting and Personalised Bottles
From a single client gift to a company-wide celebration, the Nyetimber corporate gifting service offers flexible tiers and packaging, printed message cards, and engraving on gift boxes. The 1086 by Nyetimber prestige cuvée provides an elevated option for exceptional occasions. Nyetimber partners with respected institutions including the National Gallery, Jaguar Land Rover and the Lawn Tennis Association, and offers preferential corporate pricing tiers, event support with UK Brand Ambassadors and bespoke tasting experiences. The full Corporate Gifting brochure can be downloaded.
For personal touches, the personalised gift box service adds a custom-engraved metal plaque to the cream gift box of any bottle in the core range. From birthdays to weddings and anniversaries, the plaque can carry a name, message or date in Nyetimber's signature Tangerine font, up to the stated character limit.
Awards and Recognition
Nyetimber's trophy cabinet reflects decades of pioneering craftsmanship. In 2025 the estate made history when its Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum became the first ever non-Champagne wine to be crowned Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge, scoring 97 points and described by judges as "a time capsule of a wine with mouth-watering acidity, citrus zest and camomile, with a chalky finish". At the same awards, Cherie Spriggs became the first woman ever and the first person from outside the Champagne region to win Sparkling Winemaker of the Year for the second time, having first taken the title in 2018.
Earlier in 2025, 1086 by Nyetimber 2010 was named the top scoring Global sparkling wine and the top scoring wine overall at London Wine Fair's Battle of the Bubbles, pipping prestige cuvées from Champagne including Dom Pérignon 2013 and Dom Krug Grande Cuvée. In 2026 Nyetimber was again awarded Winery of the Year Great Britain by The Real Review - the first English winery to win the accolade in two consecutive years - with 1086 by Nyetimber 2014 named Sparkling Wine of the Year and awarded 97 points. Across its history Nyetimber has been named English Wine Producer of the Year by the IWSC a record eight times.
Sustainability, Environment and Community
Nyetimber's corporate social responsibility programme rests on three pillars: the environment, employees and supporting the community.
Environment
Across its West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent vineyards, around 30% of the Nyetimber estate is managed as natural, non-productive habitat - native broadleaved woodland, wildflower meadows, hedgerows, ponds and wildlife corridors. Sheep from a local farm have grazed the vineyard rows in winter since 2011, reducing tractor use and adding natural fertility to the soils. Drones map and analyse vine health row by row so that interventions are precisely targeted, while weather stations, insect traps and soil sampling keep spraying and fertiliser use to a minimum. Nyetimber has formed a consortium with six other major English wine producers and East Malling Research to trial reduced-input methods, including an herbicide-free area at the Manor Vineyard. At the new West Chiltington Pressing Centre, photovoltaic cells generate some of the building's own power and rainwater is harvested and recycled. Energy from cold stabilisation and from fermentation heat is captured and recycled, while Nyetimber's 835g bottles - compared with the industry standard 905g - have saved around 10% in transport-related emissions since 2008.
Supporting the Community
Nyetimber supports a select group of charities, environmental organisations and educational partners across Sussex and the South of England, including the South Downs National Park Trust, WSET School London, Le Cordon Bleu London, Plumpton College, the Shipley Arts Festival, Friends of the South Downs, Macmillan Cancer Support, Friends of Sussex Hospices and The Mary How Trust. Past projects include the planting of 1,000 trees to commemorate the release of 1,000 special-edition bottles, and a Beelines gift set with 18 species of native wildflower seeds that raised £2,300 for pollinator corridors.
Visit Nyetimber and Shop Online
Visit the Estate
The Nyetimber Estate is at Gay Street, West Chiltington, West Sussex RH20 2HH. The nearest train stations are Pulborough and Billingshurst; visitors attending any estate experience must book a taxi in advance. The Estate is not open for general visits but welcomes guests to Open Days and to the Chef's Paired Dining Experiences. Free parking is available a short walk from the White Barn where the tours begin. No dogs are permitted on site, except for assistance dogs notified to Nyetimber in advance. Recommended local pubs, restaurants and places to stay include The White Lion at Thakeham, Amberley Castle, Gravetye Manor and Park House Hotel & Spa.
Shop Online
The Nyetimber online shop offers the full wine collection, gift sets, personalised bottles, accessories (including the Nyetimber bottle stopper, six-glass gift set, fine merino wool blanket, umbrella, ice vasque and ice bucket set) and Oliver Preston prints. Standard UK delivery is complimentary on orders over £70 (£5.95 below) and Saturday delivery is available for £11.95. Nyetimber does not currently ship to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or destinations outside the UK.
Contact
For online orders and customer service, email customerservice@nyetimber.com or call the fulfilment centre on 0800 093 0243 (Mon - Fri 08:30 - 17:30). The London office is at 7th Floor, Asticus Building, 21 Palmer Street, London SW1H 0AD, telephone +44 (0) 20 7734 8490, fax +44 (0) 20 7292 0841. The estate telephone is +44 (0) 1798 813989. Press enquiries go to press@nyetimber.com; data protection queries to gdpr@nyetimber.com; and recruitment to HR@nyetimber.com. General information is available at info@nyetimber.com.
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