Blanc de Blancs Cuvée
£62
Made entirely from Chardonnay, this sparkling white combines apple and pear flavours with a creamy texture and notes of pastry and brioche.
1952
Hambledon
Hambledon began in 1952 when Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones planted vines below his Hampshire home, with advice from Champagne house Pol Roger. The first wines were released in 1955, making the estate an early pioneer of modern English wine. Today, Hambledon focuses on traditional-method sparkling wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Berry Bros. & Rudd and Symington Family Estates became joint owners in 2023. The estate now welcomes visitors for tours and tastings, with a restaurant overlooking the vineyards.
Hambledon’s vineyards lie on south and south-east-facing slopes in Hampshire’s South Downs. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grow above Newhaven Chalk, which drains well while retaining moisture during dry weather. Grapes from different vineyard plots are picked, pressed and fermented separately, so the team can choose how to combine them in each blend. In the vineyards, Hambledon is adopting practices such as cover crops, less soil disturbance and wildlife-friendly hedgerows to improve soil health and biodiversity.
WINEMAKER
Head winemaker Hervé Jestin spent more than 20 years as cellar master at Champagne Duval-Leroy. At Hambledon, he oversees key stages of production, including pressing, fermentation and the final blends. Felix Gabillet has managed the winery day to day since 2015. A graduate of Changins in Switzerland, he works alongside Hervé to turn the estate’s grapes into its range of sparkling wines.
The Collection
£62
Made entirely from Chardonnay, this sparkling white combines apple and pear flavours with a creamy texture and notes of pastry and brioche.
£42
Hambledon’s signature sparkling white blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Dry and fresh, it combines pear and apricot flavours with a creamy texture.
£46
A Chardonnay-led sparkling rosé with strawberry and redcurrant flavours. Refreshing and creamy, it is made from grapes grown on Hambledon’s Hampshire estate.
Cellar-door shop: open daily. Bar and terrace: Sunday–Thursday 12:00–16:00; Friday–Saturday 12:00–20:00. Restaurant: Wednesday–Saturday 10:30–23:00; Sunday 10:30–17:00. Tour times and availability vary; check the booking calendar before travelling.
Book tours, tastings and restaurant tables in advance. Core wine tours are for adults aged 18 and over. Vineyard ground can be uneven and the winery route includes stairs; contact the estate about access requirements before booking.