West Sussex producer of traditional method sparkling wine from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, led by a signature vintage Cuvée.
The producer
Wiston Estate is a West Sussex family estate shaped by Pip Goring’s dream of a vineyard inspired by South Africa’s Western Cape. Its planted varieties are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The wines are made by the traditional method, with lees ageing and reserve wine often used in the final blend. Solar panels help power the winery, while insulated storage sheds hold wines as they age instead of refrigeration.
Known for
West Sussex traditional method sparkling
Notable facts
Pip Goring’s vineyard dream was inspired by her childhood in South Africa’s Western Cape.
The estate’s first vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
Solar panels on Wiston’s buildings help power the winery.
Wiston’s wine storage sheds are insulated instead of refrigerated.
The story
The Britannia Christening
In 2015, a nebuchadnezzar of Wiston Estate Brut NV was used to christen the yacht Britannia. A nebuchadnezzar is a large format wine bottle, so the vessel itself belongs to the ceremony as much as the wine. The bottle held Wiston Estate Brut NV, a non vintage sparkling wine from the estate. Queen Elizabeth II was the person using it, and Britannia was the yacht being christened. The ceremony brought Wiston Estate Brut NV, Queen Elizabeth II and Britannia together in one named event.
From the atlas
Wiston Estate Winery
West Sussex producer of traditional method sparkling wine, with a family vineyard planted on chalk downland and a signature Cuvée of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
West Sussex, England
Family
Goring family stewardship since 1743
Signature wine
Wiston Estate Cuvée Brut, 2016 vintage
Main grapes
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
Wine style
Traditional method sparkling wine
The Producer
Pip Goring arrived at Wiston Estate in 1972 with a dream of planting a vineyard inspired by her childhood in South Africa’s Western Cape. In 2006, the Goring family planted a site facing south and covering 16 acres with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The estate produces traditional method sparkling wines, with Marcus and Megan Rayner-Ward as its winemakers.
Place
Chalk downland surrounds Wiston Estate in the heart of West Sussex, with the first vineyard around 10 miles from the sea. It sits in a relatively warm, dry microclimate nicknamed the Banana Belt. Chalk is porous and free draining, while sparkling wine depends on grapes retaining acidity for the base wine. The setting provides both drainage and conditions suited to sparkling production.
Wines
Wiston makes exclusively traditional method sparkling wines. The vintage Cuvée is the estate’s flagship and signature blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The house often incorporates reserve wine dating to 2008 in the final blend, while its wines spend at least three years on the lees. Lees are the spent yeast left after bottle fermentation, and ageing on them can add creaminess and breadlike flavours. The Cuvée Brut is creamy, driven by toasted almond and sourdough, already developed and complex.
Final Word
Wiston Estate is a West Sussex producer of traditional method sparkling wine. Its signature Cuvée brings Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier together, while the wines receive extended lees ageing and often include reserve wine.