Introducing our Sandridge Barton ‘Blanc de Noirs’ 2020!

The first wine to be released from our new Sandridge Barton range wins Master Medal at The Global Sparkling Masters 2023!

We are delighted to unveil the first wine from our highly anticipated Sandridge Barton collection has won the Master Medal at The Global Sparkling Masters 2023!

This range showcases some of the best parcels of fruit we feel we have ever picked, and applying a wine-making approach that focusses on patience over anything else in order to produce exceptional English wines.

The first wine to be released is the Sandridge Barton ‘Blanc de Noirs’ 2020, and already it has just recently been recognised as one of the best sparkling wines in the world at the Global Sparkling Masters 2023 after being awarded a Master Medal, which is higher than a gold! An award that is only given to wines which are an outstanding example of their type, showing impeccable winemaking. They must demonstrate a wonderful texture, perfect balance and broad range of delicious, persistent flavours to the panel of expert judges of Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine.

Duncan Schwab, our CEO and Head Winemaker, said: “This bottling run is part of our Sandridge Barton range, for wines we believe are truly unique. Sandridge Barton ‘Blanc de Noirs’ is the first to be released and is made with Pinot Noir fruit harvested in 2020 from our vineyards overlooking the river Dart in South Devon. It’s a cracking wine and we are extremely proud to receive a Master Medal and are delighted to introduce it to our range of English wines, which has now grown to over 15 wines.”

At this competition, judges sought out the very best Sparkling wines on the market, judging them blind with no knowledge of their origin. The contest was open to any sparkling or semi-sparkling wine made anywhere in the world. The judges tasted 230 entries from 14 different countries, with seven master medalists in total, including three from Champagne, two from Asti, one from California and one from Sandridge Barton in Devon!

The Global Sparkling Masters took place in London on 10 May. It is one of the 27 Global Wine Masters competitions taking place in 2023, run by industry-leading publication the drinks business.

The 2020 ‘Blanc de Noirs’ is raspberry gold in colour, with delicate aromas of rhubarb, raspberry and gooseberry. The palate is dry but alive with more delicate tart red berry flavours and some subtle yeast autolysis characteristics, leading into a long finish lifted by the ripe and fruit-driven acidity.

Over the course of the summer, we will add three more wines to the ‘Sandridge Barton’ label. A Bacchus which has spent time in French oak barrels, a Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, all still wines that will join the ‘Blanc de Noirs’. Bottles will vary in price, and will be available to buy from our cellar door shop, in our restaurant Circa and through our website.