12 years ago

Talking Wine – August 2013

A Sussex vineyard run by an all female team has just scooped the ‘UK producer of the Year’ award for its sparkling Blanc de Blancs. The Bolney Wine Estate is yet another English vineyard to perform at the top level even when compared with Champagne. The vineyard was founded by Janet Pratt in 1972 and has grown from the original 3 acres to almost 40. Janet’s daughter, who was a hairdresser before studying viticulture, now heads the all female team. No jokes please about the vines being well groomed! Janet’s daughter Charlotte is also heavily involved so this really is a family affair. Winemaker Samantha Linter says “Bolney’s south facing vineyards and free draining sandstone soil which retains the heat makes it ideal for grape growing. We are proud of our handmade wines and will strive to build on our success.”

Ted Sandbach

Ted studied History and Physical Education at Loughborough University before teaching at Magdalen College School in Oxford for 7 years. He gave up teaching to follow his passion for wine and cut his teeth at Stevens Garnier in Wine retail. During this time he travelled extensively and took his wine exams including the Diploma – which he will admit is much harder these days! Frustration and ambition prompted him to start The Oxford Hamper Company in 1985 which by 1992 had metamorphosed into The Oxford Wine Company.