Has Nyetimber Engineered England’s Sparkling Wine Ascendancy?
The British bubbly has been named the world’s top sparkling wine at the International Wine Challenge, a first for any wine outside the Champagne region to win this accolade.
10 February 2026
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Photo credit: Nyetimber
Photo Credit: Nyetimber
For years, English sparkling wine has been viewed with curiosity. A decent alternative and possibly a more accessible pour (compared to traditional French bubbly).
That framing no longer holds.
Nyetimber’s recent performance at the International Wine Challenge marks a structural shift. The Sussex producer was awarded Champion Sparkling Wine, while its Head Winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, took home Sparkling Winemaker of the Year. This is her second win, following her historic first in 2018. She remains the only woman ever to have received the title.
Cherie Spriggs is a two-time winner of Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) | Photo Credit: Nyetimber
Cherie Spriggs is a two-time winner of Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at
the International Wine Challenge (IWC) | Photo credit: Nyetimber
That alone would be notable.
However, Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum scored 97 points and became the first non-Champagne wine to win Champion Sparkling Wine in the competition’s 34-year history. The IWC is known for its rigour, and Spriggs herself calls it the ‘Oscars of the wine world’. This year, France did not win as it usually does.
For the trade, this is significant. Awards influence perception. Perception affects listings and ultimately, sales.
Their sponsorships and collaborations include one with England Rugby
| Photo credit: Nyetimber
Their sponsorships and collaborations include one with England Rugby | Photo Credit: Nyetimber
English sparkling wine has been improving steadily, but global recognition lagged behind quality. The category was often treated as secondary, particularly outside the UK. That gap is closing fast. Sommeliers are paying attention. Buyers are recalibrating, and wine lists around the world are following.
Nyetimber has played a long game here. Since Eric Heerema acquired the estate in 2006, the focus has been singular. Traditional-method sparkling wine only. No still distractions. No category sprawl. Paired with Spriggs’ Champagne-trained precision, the brand has built both authority and awareness.
Photo Credit: Nyetimber
Photo credit: Nyetimber
The house style leans heavily on Chardonnay, and with good reason. Nyetimber’s estate spans 11 vineyards across 425 hectares in West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, with all wines made from 100% estate-grown fruit.
Sussex, Kent and Essex have proven themselves compelling Chardonnay territories. The South of England, with its chalk soils, rising temperatures, and changing weather conditions, has extended the growing season, allowing grapes to ripen more fully and improving the quality and increasing production of English sparkling wine.
As a result, English vineyards can now compete with more traditional wine regions. Nyetimber’s wins further cement that narrative.
English sparkling wine is a credible, premium option with great storytelling | Photo Credit: Nyetimber
English sparkling wine is a credible, premium option with great storytelling | Photo credit: Nyetimber
Commercially, the brand is clear-eyed about its positioning as a luxury player, and its pricing is reflective of that. Brand-building has been equally deliberate. Sponsorships with Henley Regatta and British Cycling reinforce a distinctly luxe image. The recent collaboration with England Rugby has named former England rugby captain Jamie George as a brand ambassador in anticipation of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. Nyetimber also becomes the first English sparkling wine to sponsor the Men’s and Women’s Senior teams, following Bollinger’s 24-year tenure.
Nyetimber’s launch in British Airways First Class makes it the first prestige cuvée English sparkling wine served onboard an airline. It also boasts a growing presence among high-end hospitality groups.
Diversification has followed, but carefully. In 2024, Nyetimber acquired The Lakes Distillery for £71 million, adding whisky and gin to the portfolio. The Lakes has since launched its first permanent sherry-led single malt called ‘Signature’. According to Forbes, they are ‘using wine techniques to challenge Scottish giants and win global recognition’.
The category data support the momentum. The vineyard area in England has grown by 123 per cent over the past decade. Around three-quarters is dedicated to sparkling wine. Producers now export to more than 30 countries. Category growth since 2020 sits at around 30 per cent. Nyetimber’s recent wins do not just validate one producer. They validate a category that is decisively coming into its own. For hoteliers and restaurateurs, this is no longer a novelty listing. It is a credible, premium option with a story that guests understand.
English sparkling wine has arrived, and in Nyetimber’s case, it is with accolades and fanfare.
Photo Credit: Nyetimber
Photo credit: Nyetimber
Author: Priyanka C. Agarwal
Priyanka is a writer, editor and storyteller. Her words have appeared on the print and online pages of The South China Morning Post, SilverKris, Her World, The Michelin Guide, Time Out, and more. She has also created custom content for leading brands like Sentosa, Mediacorp Special Projects, Asia’s 50 Best, IKEA, and Meat and Livestock Australia. Her expertise includes food and drink, wellness, luxury and travel.