Gusbourne signs sommelier talent

English wine producer Gusbourne has recruited one of the UK’s top sommeliers, Laura Rhys MS, to a new full-time role managing the brand’s international development.

A former UK Sommelier of the Year, Rhys is currently head sommelier at London restaurant La Trompette and previously spent six years working for Gerard Basset MS at Hotel Terravina in the New Forest.

As English wine builds significant commercial momentum both at home and overseas, Gusbourne has already laid down strong foundations with listings at high-end outlets including Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Berry Bros & Rudd, as well as restaurants such Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume.

Last year the Kent-based producer secured a £2 million loan in order to expand its production capacity due to growing demand.

Commenting on her new role, Rhys remarked, “I’m delighted to be joining an already dynamic team at Gusbourne at such an exciting period in this great producer’s development. I’m really looking forward to playing my own part in this exceptional company.”

Ben Walgate, CEO of Gusbourne, emphasised the strengths that Rhys will bring to the team, saying: “Laura will bring her own uncompromising standards to Gusbourne, and be playing a key role in developing our profile going forwards. Gusbourne is not only about extraordinary wines, but extraordinary people too, and there can be few people who fit that description as well as Laura.”