Located uniquely at the highest point of the South Downs National Park, the Weyborne Estate offers stunning views of a quintessentially English landscape. Stretching out before you are green pastures, rolling hills, and lush valleys extending into the distant horizon. This is where the river Wey originates, its spring waters emerging from an ancient aquifer at the northern end of the estate. As it meanders through, the river brings life to our gardens and vineyards.
Built by the prominent Yaldwyn family in 1640, the house was positioned at the foot of the ancient River Wey to access England’s purest water source. Over the centuries, Blackdown Park has hosted notable guests such as King Edward VII, Oliver Cromwell, George Bernard Shaw, and Alfred Lord Tennyson, all of whom drank from its crystal-clear, life-giving spring.
The first vines at Blackdown were planted in 2007, revealing an exceptional terroir that peaks at 280 meters above sea level. The classic combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier has enabled the creation of exceptional single estate sparkling wine using the traditional method, made famous by the Champagne region.
The Family Reserve is the bottled essence of the annual production from the five vineyard blocks at Weyborne’s single vineyard estate. It captures the unique terroir and the interplay of the vines, soil, and climate. This Chardonnay-led cuvée, in the Blanc des Blancs style, exhibits the intensity and elegance of this noble grape variety. The two Pinot varieties, Noir and Meunier, provide supporting vibrancy, power, and body.
2018 vintage
The Family Reserve is a vintage reflection of the Weyborne Estate, with the 2018 vintage benefiting from near-perfect conditions for growing world-class sparkling wine. After four years of maturation, the 2018 vintage was bottled in 2022 with zero dosage, allowing the essence of Weyborne to be revealed in its true and pure state.
The aromas are fresh, showing a degree of toasty complexity. On the palate, there’s an attractively textured mousse suffused with intense fruit flavours and nutty autolytic complexity. This is framed by a fine streak of lively fresh acidity for excellent overall balance, finishing with an incisive bite that adds elegance and freshness.
Food pairing suggestion: crab canapes
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