At Wine & Earth, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional wines with a commitment to sustainability, and one of our standout producers is Oxney Estate. Nestled in the beautiful county of East Sussex, Oxney Estate is the largest single-estate producer of English organic wine. But they’re not ones to shout about it – their focus is on letting their wines do the talking. Let’s explore what makes Oxney Estate a truly unique and celebrated name in English wine.
The Organic Way: Wine Begins in the Vineyard
Oxney Estate lives by the philosophy: “great wines are made in the vineyard". With 35 acres of Soil Association-certified organic vines, Oxney Estate believes that organic farming is the future of English wine. Their approach nurtures the quality and purity of the fruit, producing award-winning still and sparkling wines. Oxney’s vines flourish in well-draining sand and silt loam, full of the microbial life essential for organic grape growing. They maintain this rich biodiversity by using compost and manure from cattle on their organic farm, ensuring that every step of the growing process supports the environment and the quality of their grapes.
A Deceptively Sunny Estate
Oxney Estate’s vineyard enjoys an array of natural advantages, beginning with its location in Sussex, the UK’s sunniest county. The gentle southwest-facing slope of their vineyard helps vines soak up sunlight during the warmest part of the day, giving the grapes a better chance of ripening fully in England’s cool climate. Proximity to the sea ensures gentle breezes that keep the air circulating through the vines, reducing disease pressure while helping the grapes thrive.
Their vineyard’s biodiversity is just as vital as its location. A rich tapestry of plants, flowers, insects, and micro-organisms helps protect and nourish the vines. This balanced ecosystem promotes healthier, more resilient vines, which in turn enhances the unique character of Oxney Estate’s wines. Without this biodiversity, the vineyard would not be able to produce wines of such exceptional quality.
Commitment to Sustainable Practices
Oxney Estate’s winemaking process continues its low-intervention, sustainable philosophy. Their wines are crafted in a beautifully converted Grade II listed oast houses, blending modern technology with traditional methods. The winery is equipped with temperature control, gentle pneumatic pressing, and sustainable practices like biomass heating sourced from their own coppiced woodland.
Oxney Estate favours what is called wild fermentation and minimal use of fining, filtration, and sulphur dioxide (SO2). This low-intervention approach ensures that the wines are not only expressive of the vineyard’s terroir but are also a true reflection of their organic roots.
Discover Oxney’s Bottles at Wine & Earth
At Wine & Earth, we’re proud to offer a carefully curated selection of Oxney Estate wines that showcase their commitment to organic excellence. Here’s what we currently have in stock:
- Oxney Estate Brut NV – A beautifully crafted sparkling wine with notes of orchard fruit and a fresh, crisp finish. Explore it here
- Oxney Estate Sussex Chardonnay 2020 – A pure expression of English Chardonnay, offering bright citrus flavors with a creamy finish.
- Oxney Estate Blanc de Blanc 2018 – Elegant and refined, this sparkling wine is made entirely from Chardonnay. Discover it here
- Oxney Estate Rosé Brut NV – A delicate pink sparkling wine with vibrant strawberry and floral notes. Shop it here.
These wines and more are available to explore on our website, providing you with a true taste of the future of English organic wine.
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