The first mention of Gusbourne Estate dates was in 1410 when John de Gosborne’s will was filed. The estate passed to the wealthy and revered Philip Chute, a man who earned fame and the gratitude of Henry VIII at the siege of Boulogne on September 14th, 1544. As a standard bearer, he carried the ‘Goosbourne’ name, as it was known then, and the characteristic three geese crest that now adorns the small parish church in Appledore and all Gusbourne bottlings.
It was a former orthopaedic surgeon, Andrew Weeber, who turned the estate into a winery and vineyards. His daughter had bought Gusbourne house in Appledore, Kent, and when he visited he realised the condition of the soil, which only a few centuries previous had been entirely underwater, and climate made for the perfect conditions to make wine.
In total, there are 60 hectares at Gusbourne Estate in Kent and 30 hectares in West Sussex, where the three classic varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are cultivated alongside predominantly Burgundian clones in the vineyards.
The south-facing slopes it sits upon ensuring that during the summer the vines bask in a relatively warm and dry local microclimate, while the location of the coast, only 6 miles away, has a moderating influence on the weather, providing a long growing season. Combined with the clay and sandy loam soils of Kent and the chalky profile of the Sussex soil, Gusbourne is able to grow and source exceptional quality grapes.
Through innovation and vision, and a unique climate and soil profile in its vineyards, Gusbourne Estate has become something of a standard-bearer of high-quality English sparkling and still wines, winning numerous awards - including IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year in 2013.