Exton Park was first planted in 2003, with 12 hectares of the classic Champagne grapes, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, on the rolling chalk slopes of the South Downs, in the heart of Hampshire. The site overlooks Exton village in the Meon Valley, hence the name. The terroir here mirrors that of Champagne across the Channel. In 2009, not long after a second site was planted, the property was bought by neighbouring businessman Malcolm Isaac. At first, whilst the new plantation was establishing he sold all his grapes to nearby Coates and Seely, but in 2011 he was set to make his own wines, with the goal of making the best traditional method sparkling wine in the country. The 60 acre single vineyard is divided into 9 plots, each planted on a different aspect and altitude, which gives the grapes exceptional flavour variations. The vineyards are sustainably farmed. Exton Park are a founding member of WineGB's Sustainable Wines of Great Britain accreditation. They offset a lot of their energy use through solar power. Since 2011 French -born winemaker Corinne Seely has built a comprehensive library of reserve wines, which are added to every year, to create a unique quartet of Reserve Blend sparkling wines [Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé]. In their state-of-the-art winery the grapes are fermented plot by plot and skilfully blended with their precious archive of reserve wines, which not only gives depth and complexity, but also guarantees quality and a consistent house style year after year, whatever the vintage conditions. The wines rest on their lees for a minimum of 3 years before disgorgement, so are crafted more like a vintage wine than a NV. These award-winning bubbles from Hampshire are quite simply some of the finest sparkling wines in England!
www.extonparkvineyard.com/