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Gusbourne nearly doubles its revenue

10 June 2022 By Louis Thomas

English sparkling continues to fizz ahead as Gusbourne announced its financial results for 2021, with a net revenue of £4.191million, 99% higher than that of 2020.

Gusbourne CEO and chief winemaker Charlie Holland

In a year which marked a return to normal trading for the burgeoning English wine industry, the company, founded in 2004, was able to achieve a revenue increase higher than pre-audited estimation of 95%.

Much of the increase can be attributed to the reopening of hospitality in the UK. Net wine sales were up by 168% on 2020, reaching £1.934m. Among the restaurants stocking Gusbourne is Tom Kerridge’s two-Michelin-starred The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

Income also increased from the level set during the previous year as in-person experiences at the cellar door in Kent (known as “The Nest”) facilitated direct-to-consumer sales. Wine tourism also became a possibility again after travel restrictions within England were lifted with the end of lockdown.

English sparkling is becoming the celebratory drink of choice in much of the UK, with the recent Jubilee serving as an appropriate occasion to pop open a bottle. However, the thirst for English wine isn’t just growing domestically – Gusbourne distributes to 25 countries and reports that international sales grew by 23% last year.

Gusbourne CEO and chief winemaker Charlie Holland said: “These results allow us to look confidently into the future as we further develop the Gusbourne brand’s premium status and market positioning, invest in further growth of sales in the UK and internationally and continue to innovate across all areas, including planned new product development in respect of Gusbourne’s vintage premium wines.”

Though the company is known for its traditional method, vintage sparkling wines, the 60 hectares of vineyard in Appledore, Kent and 30 hectares next to the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex also produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for still wines.

Gusbourne is among the producers to argue that the south of England, largely due to growing wine tourism, has the potential to become “the Napa of the UK”.