Leonardslee Flies the Flag for English Wines Overseas

Leonardslee Family Vineyards has been flying the flag on the continent for English wines with a period of success overseas. The English sparkling producer has seen remarkable interest from international markets as the brand celebrates its first birthday.

In Paris, Leonardslee took part in Brit Pop, a new event in the home city of French gastronomy where English food met with English wine for a special pop-up over two nights and a press lunch (1-2 June). Taking place at Au Passage, chefs Angelica Golten and Elly Polhill served their takes on classic British dishes using seasonal French produce and English cheeses, each dish paired with a different English wine. Leonardslee chief winemaker Johann Fourie was one of four winemakers in attendance to reflect the broad spectrum of English wine and styles.

Leonardslee has also been part of two prestigious European embassy events to mark the King’s official birthday, taking a key role in the line-up of home-grown products on display at the official Embassy birthday parties. In Paris and Oslo, Leonardslee was one of the brands chosen to showcase the growing quality and capabilities of English wine producers, with sparkling poured to prominent guests at both locations.

In Norway, at the King’s Birthday Party Leonardslee treated guests to its Blanc de Blancs, as well as a sampling collaboration with Land Rover. The British Embassy event in Oslo (11 June) was well-timed, coinciding with the first European listing for Leonardslee Blanc de Blancs at the Vinmonopolet, the Norwegian monopoly.

All three Leonardslee wines were on show at the British Embassy in Paris (26 June). The King’s official Birthday Party was attended by 2,000 high profile society guests who were able to enjoy Leonardslee English sparkling wines in the beautiful garden setting.

Leonardslee English Sparkling wines will also be available in Qatar duty free from this month with a gondola display, another illustration of the immense interest and growth potential from overseas markets.

Barry Anderson, Managing Director and head viticulturist and Leonardslee comments: “We have had an incredible first year, we have achieved UK retail listings for the wines, and had great feedback and recognition with some major industry awards. We are incredibly proud to have achieved international distribution already, and to be part of such prestigious events in Europe is incredible. The interest in English wines from overseas is growing rapidly, these are certainly exciting times.”

Ends

Editors notes

• Penny Streeter OBE and her family purchased the Leonardslee estate near Horsham in West Sussex in 2016, and the first vines were planted in 2017.

• The Barn Swallow on the LEONARDSLEE label is symbolic of Penny herself, and the migration she makes between her two loves; her home in South Africa and her English sparkling wine estate. The swallow is also significant due to its long, established relationship with Sussex; many end their long journey here from Africa.

• Leonardslee Family Vineyards only make wines from its own estate-grown grapes and practices regenerative viticulture in the vineyards. Leonardslee is a member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain.

• Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, which makes up a substantial part of the estate, features ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’. Grade I Listed, the 240-acre gardens were established by Sir Edmund Loder, the great Victorian plant collector.

• The estate reopened in April 2019, following acquisition and two years’ intensive work by entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE to restore the woodland gardens after eight years of closure and neglect under previous ownership. It was the largest garden restoration project in the United Kingdom since Heligan 30 years before.

• Since further restoration work in 2021, visitors can stay in the Vineyard Hotel or the luxurious Leonardslee House itself, dining at Restaurant Interlude to experience the Michelin Star multi-course tasting menu created by chef Jean Delport. Interlude was also awarded the highly acclaimed Michelin Green Star in January 2024.

• Visitors can enjoy numerous other attractions on the estate, including Mannings Heath golf, and an extensive programme of entertainment; winter garden illuminations and light trails, wine & beer festivals, art exhibitions, live music events, cooking and gardening demonstrations, crafts fairs, children’s events and adventure trails, Leonardslee is a true wine destination.

• Other winemakers in attendance at Brit Pop (Paris): Danbury Ridge, Hundreds Hills, Tillingham

• Leonardslee Brut Reserve 2021 has recently won a Gold Medal at the 2025 Wine GB Awards