As the demand for organic wines in England is rising, we notice that more producers start embracing sustainable practices. In this blog, we'll explore the top masters of sustainability; the organic wine producers in England.
Becoming an organic wine producer poses challenges such as strict certification guidelines and managing climate, pests, and diseases. However, English organic producers overcome these difficulties to prioritise sustainability.
While most English vineyards are not organic, there is a growing trend of embracing sustainable viticulture and supporting low-intervention farming. I welcome this shift as it highlights the industry's commitment to environmental stewardship and minimal intervention winemaking.
The top 5 organic wine producers are:
Oxney Organic Estate:
In East Sussex, Oxney Organic Estate produces organic sparkling and still wines on 14 hectares. Oxney say they produce around 20% of all organic grapes grown in the UK. They prioritise sustainability and generate renewable energy on-site. I found their wine really good, and their vineyard tour and wine tasting were very informative. Also, we enjoyed a lovely picnic at the end of it.
Visit their website at https://oxneyestate.com
Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard:
Established in 1979, Sedlescombe is England's oldest organic vineyard, producing a range of award-winning organic wines. Some wines, in addition, are also biodynamic (which means they follow some additional standards in viticulture. Visitors can enjoy guided tours and wine tastings.
Visit their website at https://www.sedlescombeorganic.com
Davenport Vineyards:
Davenport Vineyards in East Sussex is a family-owned winery focused on organic and biodynamic viticulture. They produce organic still and sparkling wines. It looks like they have yet to offer vineyard tours and wine tastings.
Visit their website at https://www.davenportvineyards.co.uk
Forty Hall Vineyard:
This may surprise some, but this vineyard is located in Nort London (within M25). They are a not-for-profit social enterprise committed to organic and sustainable farming methods. They produce organic still and sparkling wines while engaging the community.
Visit their website at https://www.fortyhallvineyard.com
Laverstoke Park Vineyard
Laverstoke Park Vineyard is in Hampshire and is strongly committed to organic and sustainable farming practices. They have around 12 hectares of organic vines and produce a range of still and sparkling wines. They also have a reputation for creating delicious organic food to pair with their wines.
Visit their website at https://www.laverstokepark.co.uk/our-vineyard.
I couldn't confirm whether the last vineyard is still certified organic, but I wanted to mention them due to their story and commitment to sustainability.
Albourne Estate:
Albourne Estate is a family-owned vineyard located in Sussex. They got their organic certification in 2013 and believe in producing wines harmoniously with nature. Albourne Estate produces diverse still and sparkling wines on approximately 30 hectares.
Visit their website at https://albourneestate.co.uk
These organic wine producers in England are leading the way in sustainable viticulture, offering exceptional organic wines. While challenges exist in becoming organic, the industry embraces sustainability and supports low-intervention farming. This commitment ensures the production of high-quality wines with minimal ecological impact. As the demand for organic and sustainable wines grows, English vineyards continue to set a benchmark for excellence and environmental responsibility.
And, of course, if you want to do some #englishwine tasting, English Wine Escapes offer fantastic tours, including bespoke tours to cater to your specific interests. Explore our wine tours.
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