Gusbourne sparkling served at Buckingham Palace

Kent-based sparkling wine producer Gusbourne Estate is celebrating a prestigious milestone after its 2007 Blanc de Blancs was served at a banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Kent-based Gusbourne Estate is celebrating after its Blanc de Blancs 2007 was served at a Buckingham Palace banquet

The Gusbourne English sparkling wine was served on the occasion of the state visit of Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, who was welcomed by the Queen at the palace on Monday 31 October.

The president’s visit marked the first time that a Columbian president had paid a state visit to the UK.

President Santos, who has just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to broker a peace deal the Farc rebel group in his country in a bid to end a 52-year conflict, was accompanied by his wife at the a lavish banquet.

Santos and his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos, are staying as guests of the Queen at Buckingham Palace whilst visiting London.

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Head winemaker and CEO Charlie Holland commented: “We are thrilled our wine has been selected for such a prestigious occasion, and it is encouraging to see English sparkling wine on a menu of such distinction.”

The good news for Gusbourne follows a similarly prestigious achievement this time last year for Sussex wine estate Ridgeview, whose Grosvenor 2009 was served at a Buckingham Palace banquet in honour of Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Gusbourne’s Blanc de Blancs 2007

The news for Gusbourne comes during a period of expansion for the Kent winery. In July of this year, db reported how it was aiming raising up to £10m by issuing new bonds to support its newly planted vineyards.

The funds were being used to increase production at the estate, including from its youngest vineyards that were planted between 2013 and 2015, as well as for the purchase of new equipment, further brand investment and for a new cellar door facility.

Last month Gusbourne announced that Charlie Holland would take on the role of CEO at the estate in addition to his role as chief winemaker.

A further internal appointment was that of Jon Pollard as chief operating officer. Pollard joined Gusbourne in 2004, when its first vines were planted, and will continue to supervises the vineyard operations in both Kent and West Sussex.

A final senior-level appointment saw Mike Paul, formerly managing director of South African and South American importer Western Wines, joining as deputy chairman. Paul will head up the sales, marketing and distribution of the brand in the domestic and international markets.