Published 1st July 2024

Leonardslee launched its eagerly-awaited range of English sparkling wines on 8 June.  

Penny Streeter OBE bought the historic, grade I listed Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens in Lower Beeding in 2016, as part of her vision to create a Sussex wine estate. The first vines were planted the following year, with Chardonnay (60%), Pinot Noir (30%), Pinot Meunier (10%) grapes alongside a trial planting of Pinotage, the first of its kind in the UK.  

Using a traditional method of sparkling wine production (with the second fermentation taking place in the bottle, like Champagne) the estate has launched three wines – Blanc de Blancs, Brut Reserve and Brut Rosé – each made using grapes grown on 38-acres of vineyards on the Streeter family’s Sussex estate. Penny was joined by son Adam Streeter, General Manager at Leonardslee, in welcoming guests from the wine, media and hospitality industries for a series of tasting events in June, several days before bottles hit the shelves. During one of the events, attended by AAH, Adam said: ‘Now we’re finally able to enjoy the fruits of our labour, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on our journey as a family. If you had told us years ago that one day we would be here at Leonardslee, launching an English sparkling wine that could potentially rival Champagne, you would have been laughed out the room!’

‘Back then, I was expecting to take over our family business, Street Beats Disco, where I worked as a DJ at children’s parties. That’s not how things turned out though, and that’s mostly down to the women in my family, particularly my remarkable mother and grandmother, who have been the driving force behind everything we’ve achieved. They tried many things and when they failed, they got up and tried again. There have been difficult times along the way, but the fact they’ve created all of this is absolutely no fluke.’ 

AFRICAN ODYSSEY

The Streeters are no longer novices in the wine world, having enjoyed phenomenal success at Benguela Cove Wine Estate in South Africa. Benguela Cove has established a reputation as a leading wine and eco-tourism destination, producing award-winning wines under head winemaker Johann Fourie.  

When Penny took ownership of Benguela Cove in 2013, Johann was one of several winemakers that were buying grapes from the estate in order to produce incredible wine of their own. Realising the potential of the 70-hectare estate, Penny set about establishing Benguela Cove as a leading estate in its own right. With Johann leading its winemaking operation, she created a tourist attraction with a vineyard safari, bars and restaurants, hotels and villas and even a pirate-themed mini golf course. In 2023, Benguela Cove was named among the world’s top 100 vineyards, cementing its place on the global winemaking map.  

With the South African venture well and truly established, Penny turned her attention to England. She said: ‘Building a winery and having a good product is only half the battle; getting it out in the marketplace is just as important. To help achieve this, we looked to England to become a global brand. We could see an emerging market for English wines, yet most producers were only selling their bottles in local farm shops. It was a million miles away from the wine experiences offered in South Africa, so we began looking for locations in the south of England where we could offer a different kind of destination. We needed somewhere that not only had potential for vines, but also a car park and restaurant to help us create a world-class experience.’  

SECRET GARDEN

That led Penny to buy Mannings Heath Golf Club in 2016. The following year, the Streeters added Leonardslee to their Sussex portfolio, featuring what has been described as ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’. The 240-acre estate was established by Sir Edmund Loder, the great Victorian plant collector, but had been closed to the public for a decade by the time the doors re-opened in 2019. Since then, the Michelin-starred Interlude Restaurant has opened, as has a hotel within Leonardslee House. 

Mannings Heath now includes the 18-hole, competition level Waterfall course and the 9-hole Kingfisher course, while the Vineyard Hotel is key to its food and drink experiences. It was on part of the Kingfisher course (previously 18-holes), where the first vines were planted, before further sites were identified at Leonardslee.

Winemaker Johann recalls: ‘I was previously on a panel of wine experts that evaluated English sparkling wines, and I was intrigued by their evolution and quality. In blind tasting, they often outperform Champagne, so for me, it was an exciting opportunity to travel to England and be a part of Penny and her family’s journey. We did a great deal of research, tasting wines from different regions and identifying locations with the ideal climate to make wine. One part of the Kingfisher course ticked every box and so what had been a fairway with bunkers became a vineyard in 2017.’ 

‘Lots of wine estates claim their product is unique by highlighting the chalk or granite content of the soil. Well, what we have in our soil is golf balls! On the first day, we collected them in baskets, but soon gave up as there were too many! We faced climate challenges too, as the weather is very different to that of South Africa, while the vines were targeted by deer and rabbits too. But we have overcome these issues and now have 38-acres of vines, comprising Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Pinotage.’ 

‘We decided against buying in grapes from other estates and launching a Leonardslee brand quickly, as it didn’t fit in with our approach to sustainability. Whatever is poured into the glass should take you back to its origins, so everything in our bottles is made from fruit grown and nurtured on our own vineyards. We work with nature, not against it, always looking at ways to reduce mechanisation and fertilise naturally.’

BLANC CHECK

The first Leonardslee wines are Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rose and Brut Rose. Blanc de Blancs is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes. In tasting, it has fruity aromas on the nose with hints of lime, toasted bread and hazelnut. The palate is creamy and textured, with explosive acidity and a long, elegant finish.  

While conditions were very kind in 2020, the next year was more challenging and the winemakers had to adapt to get the best from the grapes. The Brut Reserve 2021 Vintage (70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier) features bright aromas of green apple and subtle berries, complemented by yeasty and brioche notes. The lively acidity is well-balanced with a tangy finish and a fresh floral aftertaste. Brut Rose 2021 Vintage comprises 56% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinotage. It has aromas of red berries, Turkish Delight and pomegranate with undertones of violets on the nose, with an aftertaste of strawberry, nougat and grapefruit. 

The bottles’ distinctive branding tells the unique story of the Streeter family. Barry Anderson, Managing Director at Mannings Heath Golf & Wine Estate, said: ‘We engaged with Studio Parr and one of the concepts created included a swallow. This resonated with Penny, as the bird’s migration represents her own journey between South Africa and England. So, the label has a swallow with four smaller swallows to represent her children, with flight lines symbolising the South Downs. The beautiful shades of blue and copper used on the label are lifted directly from the blue swallow too.’

For Penny, the release of the first Leonardslee wines marks the start of an exciting new chapter. She said: ‘I’m just a normal person who set out to try and provide for her family. That was all I ever wanted to do. But it has been a remarkable journey and for it to culminate here, at the beautiful gardens of Leonardslee, looking out across the vineyards as we taste our wine for the first time, is a very special moment for us.’ 

WORDS: Ben Morris 

Further information: 

To buy wine or join the Wine Club, visit www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/the-vineyard