Exton Park has 55 acres of vines set over stunning Hampshire landscape. Led by winemaker Corinne Seely, Exton Park is a specialist producer of English Sparkling from traditional Champagne varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Corinne’s winemaking approach marries art and science, drawing on experience gained in Bordeaux at the prestigious grand cru classé Domaine de Chevalier before becoming consultant winemaker around the world. She spent time in Australia, the Languedoc and the Douro before finally discovering England. She joined Exton Park in 2011 where she has been instrumental in developing the philosophy, creating imaginative and unexpected wines that flourish out of an English climate.

England’s wine regions are concentrated in the southern half of the country, where the climate and soils are most suited to viticulture. The industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, thanks to a warming climate, improved vineyard practices, and growing recognition for quality, particularly in sparkling wine.

Key climatic influences include a cool maritime climate with increasing average temperatures and longer growing seasons, which have significantly improved grape ripening. However, spring frosts, rain during flowering, and high humidity pose ongoing challenges. The best vineyards are typically south-facing, sheltered, and on well-drained soils such as chalk, greensand, and clay.

The most prominent regions include Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, and Essex. Sussex is the first region in England to gain PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status and is home to many of the country’s leading producers. Kent and Hampshire also host significant plantings, while East Anglia, particularly Essex, is emerging as a hotspot for still wines due to its drier climate.

The main grapes planted are those used in traditional method sparkling wine: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Bacchus is the leading still white variety, valued for its aromatic, fresh style. Others include Ortega, Pinot Gris, and increasingly, early-ripening red varieties like Pinot Noir and Meunier.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.