A HAMPSHIRE vineyard has been judged as the one of the best in the country at the UK’s wine industry awards.
Exton Park was awarded a Prestige Cuvee Trophy from the WineGB Awards 2022.
The Prestige Cuvee category invited UK wine producers to enter the top wine of their range with Exton Park proving their prestigious reputation as a quality company.
Due to their success, the vineyard was also put forward for a secondary competition in which they achieved ‘Best Wessex Producer’.
Both awards for Exton’s Cuvee M. Isaac Blanc de Blanc 2011 were presented at the WineGB awards on Friday, July 15.
Kit Ellen, managing director of Exton Park said: “In an industry that is growing very quickly and has a lot of excitement around it and a lot of investment going into it, we have positioned ourselves as a premium sparkling wine producer. We’re really aiming for the top end.
“To receive an award like this really is a vindication and an acknowledgement of that really premium position that we’re aiming for.”
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Exton Park hosted the four days of judging that preceded the competition. Wine critics, sommeliers, influencers and experts formed the panel of judges that made their decision at Exton Hall, the vineyard’s new promotional facility that overlooks the South Downs National Park.
Kit said: “We had all these really impressive people at Exton Park. For us, it was amazing. Firstly, it puts Exton Park for that time right in the middle of the industry.
“But also, you had top top judges who are wine critics and buyers, sommeliers and influencers all at Exton park for four days. Usually, trying to get that calibre of people all there at the same time is almost impossible."
The winning wine is named after the vineyard’s founder, Malcom Isaac, who bought the vineyard in 2009, curating a team to create the best sparkling wine in the UK.
The 94-year-old self-made Hampshire businessman is the sole investor behind the winery.
Exton Park focuses on the quality of establishment that they’re listed in. Their buyers include Michelin star restaurants, Soho house, Selfridges, Harvey Nicholls and Fortnum and Mason.
SEE ALSO: Whitchurch vineyard wins best in show for sparkling wine
The Cuvee M. Isaac Blanc de Blanc 2011 is highly limited, with only 400 bottles ever produced, and one of the oldest vintage wines you can buy from the UK market.
The local vineyard contributed to Hampshire’s achievements as third most successful county at the WineGB awards.
2022 saw the highest ever number of entries and first-time entrants from all over the country. Illustrating the growing quality and talent in the English and Welsh industry.
Exton Park prides itself on being a single estate vineyard- meaning they control everything throughout the wine making process from the planting of the vines to the packaging of the bottle.
The first vines were planted in 2003 before the company developed and the vinery was built in 2011.
For more go to, extonparkvineyard.com.
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