To celebrate our Father’s Day collaboration, we caught up with Mary from Gusbourne Wine to explore the journey behind their celebrated English vineyard. From the craft of blending to a shared love for the British landscape, we sat down with Mary to talk about the values that shape Gusbourne’s winemaking – and why a deep respect for the land is at the heart of everything they do.

How did you first get into winemaking?

While I was living in Scotland, I was working in hospitality, but it was the wine side of things I loved. So, I took a leap of faith and went to Plumpton to do a degree in viticulture and oenology. My dad was a farmer, and my parents spend all their time in the outdoors, so there’s a bit of that in me. Even though I’m mainly in the winemakers’ office, I have this connection with the vineyards.

What part of the winemaking process do you most enjoy?

I love the moment when all the components of a blend come together – it’s a culmination of a year’s work in the vineyard, months of careful ageing and so many small decisions. Blending is a balance of instinct, experience and precision, and it’s incredibly rewarding when the wine in front of you reflects the vintage and the place.

What is Gusbourne’s winemaking philosophy?

Our winemaking is very much driven by the fruit which is in front of us. We want to craft wines which are an expression of both the vintage and the vineyards – so we have a very thoughtful and precise approach. We analyse, and we also taste – you can’t just make wine by numbers.

What variety of grapes do you grow on your vineyards, and what makes these grapes special?

We grow the classic Champagne varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. We have a variety of clones, around half of which are Burgundian – renowned for producing smaller yields of incredibly expressive fruit. This is one of the reasons why we’re able to produce wonderful still wines too. It’s not just the vines we’ve selected which make our fruit special, but the way we farm. The attention to detail in the vineyard is second to none. We’re also fortunate with our soils – Wealden clay and loam – which give our wines characteristic richness and structure. 

How does the English climate affect your winemaking?

We make wine at 51-degrees north: it’s definitely a cool, marginal climate, and that brings both challenges and rewards. The long growing season and moderate temperatures mean we retain beautiful natural acidity and get wonderfully complex aromatics. Of course, we have to be responsive – every vintage is different – but that’s part of the excitement too.

Tell us about your regenerative and biodiversity efforts – we’ve heard about Romney Marsh sheep visiting the vineyards?

As winemakers, we’re incredibly invested in the health of our vineyards and environment.  The Romney sheep help us manage weeds in the winter, and their presence is part of a wider strategy to farm more regeneratively. We’re always looking at ways we can enhance soil health, foster biodiversity – for example through cover crops – and encourage wildlife. It’s all connected.

What is the house style of your wines, and how does this differ across your varieties?

We look for balance, precision and complexity. In our Blanc de Blancs, you get citrus, vibrant acidity, minerality and a saline note. Our Rosé brings vibrant red fruits, complexity and a touch of spice, while the Blanc de Noirs is richer, more structured and powerful. 

How do you see the future of English winemaking?

It’s a really exciting time. At Gusbourne, we’re two decades old now and our wines have really come of age. Across the industry as a whole, the quality just keeps rising – and that will only continue. In the future, I think we’ll see more emphasis on sustainable practices and also innovation in winemaking. That’s part of the beauty of being a new wine region. We’re not constrained by rules or longstanding traditions which gives us the freedom to be as innovative as we are ambitious.

At Genevieve Sweeney, these values resonate deeply with our own approach to knitwear, where provenance, craftsmanship, and a connection to the land come together in every piece.

We’re delighted to offer two limited-edition Genevieve Sweeney gift packs, one featuring Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2019 and one featuring Gusbourne Blanc de Noirs 2020. Please note, just 25 of each are available.

You can discover more about Gusbourne Wine here.