The English Wine Diaries

Rebecca Pitcairn•www.englishwinediaries.co.uk

The English Wine Diaries is a weekly interview series with Rebecca Pitcairn, editor, journalist and founder of The Southern Quarter, an online lifestyle magazine about English Wine. Each week Rebecca is joined by a special guest from the world of wine (and beyond) to talk all about their English wine journey. From sommeliers to vineyard owners, hoteliers and some rather familiar faces too, discover how a love of wine – particularly that made on British soil – has helped shape their lives and careers. www.englishwinediaries.co.uk.

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Episodes

Chris White, CEO Denbies Wine Estate, Ep 4

Send us a text This week my guest is Chris White, CEO of Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, right in the heart of the Surrey Hills. The land Denbies sits on was once a pig farm, before Chris's father, Adrian, was advised by neighbour Professor Richard Selling that the bowl shape of the land was the same as countryside in Champagne and the unique characteristics of the North Downs landscape were perfect for winemaking. Initially planting just 30 acres of vines in 1986, the vineyard has since grown t...

Apr 28, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Fergus Elias, head winemaker at Balfour Hush Heath - Ep3

Send us a text Fergus Elias is one of the country’s youngest Head Winemakers. He first joined the Balfour Hush Heath Winery in Kent as a cellarhand in 2014 and, after studying at Plumpton College, has worked up the ranks, quickly following in the footsteps of his father, Owen, who with 30 years’ experience is considered one of England’s top winemakers. Recently Fergus has been involved in some exciting projects for the Hush Heath’s Balfour brand including The Winemakers Collection and their firs...

Apr 19, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Sarah Driver, co-founder of Rathfinny Wine Estate - Ep2

Send us a text Together with her husband Mark, Sarah Driver established Rathfinny Wine Estate in Alfriston, on the Sussex South Downs in 2010, initially planting 60,000 vines. A decade later and the estate now has over 380,000 vines, a RIBA-nominated winery, an award-winning restaurant, stunning accommodation in the Flint Barns and is well on its way to being one of, if not the, largest vineyard in England. Mark and Sarah are also behind the campaign for Sussex wines to be the first in England t...

Apr 14, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Robin Hutson, founder of The Pig Hotel Group - Ep 1

Send us a text Robin Hutson is one of the most successful and influential hoteliers in the country. Robin started working in the hospitality industry at some of London’s top luxury hotels including Claridge’s and The Berkeley, before founding his own hotel chain, Hotel du Vin, together with renowned sommelier Gerard Bassay, in 1994. More recently Robin founded THE PIG hotel group, which this year will open its eighth hotel in the South Downs, complete with its very own vineyard. Robin joins me f...

Apr 02, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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