Tinwood Estate launches new exclusive partnership with The Society of Vintners
Tinwood Estate announces a new and exciting venture with The Society of Vintners. Due to this fantastic partnership, Tinwood wine will be available from wine wholesalers across the UK, from Guernsey to Glasgow. Get to know Tinwood wines in the following blog post celebrating this new partnership.
Tinwood Estate and Vineyard, producing award-winning Sussex Sparkling Wine at the foot of the South Downs, is proud to announce a supplier partnership with The Society of Vintners.
Tinwood Estate produces three traditional-method sparkling wines from single-vineyard grapes grown at the vineyard in West Sussex. The wines are remarkable for their refreshing flavours reminiscent of crisp green apples, and tart summer berries; smooth and versatile, Tinwood wine memorable.
Grape Varieties
Tinwood grows 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier, harvesting between 300 and 400 tonnes of grapes each season. Every grape that goes into each bottle of Tinwood is grown at the family farm in North Chichester and hand-harvested with meticulous care and skill. Producing single-vintage sparkling wines means that only the best quality fruits are used, and every bottle of wine represents the season’s conditions to give the wines extra character and complexity.
Soil and Climate
Ideally situated at the foot of the South Downs, the 275-acre family farm is only 3 miles from the sea. With south-facing vines and a microclimate produced by the hills of the downs, Tinwood benefits from plenty of sunlight and more natural protection from frost than other vineyards in the UK.
The top layer of Tinwood’s soil consists of fertile loam, gravel and flint. At different farm points, the chalk depth varies from 50m to 300cm deep. These soil conditions are comparable to that found in parts of Champagne and Burgundy.
In acknowledgement of the ideal climate and terrain for producing world-class sparkling wine, Sussex was awarded PDO status in 2022. Sussex is the first and only official Protected Designation of Origin region for wines in the UK. A huge win for Tinwood because more consumers are equating Sussex wines to top Champagne houses. Tinwood Estate only produces sparkling wine, sticking to the niche as Sussex grows as a world-known sparkling wine region.
Tinwood’s Sussex Sparkling Wines
The best-selling and most frequently award-winning bottle of Tinwood is the Blanc de Blancs. Made from 100% Chardonnay, this wine has an ABV of 12%, pH of 3.05 and 7g dosage. This high-acidity brut emulates flavours of lemon, hints of elderflower – and most prominently – green apples.
A delicate pale gold hue indicates the Chardonnay is unoaked, instead fermented in stainless steel vats for a refreshing, firm attack. The beautifully balanced, clean finish makes the Blanc de Blancs a perfect aperitif or complement to canapes. Serve with scallops, smoked salmon, or oysters to enhance the citrus taste.
Most similar to a classic Champagne blend is the Estate Brut, consisting of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier – the same percentage of grapes grown in the vineyard. It has a slightly higher 3.07 pH, but the same dosage and alcohol as the Blanc de Blancs. Pale gold in colour, the Brut has a lovely mousse; the Pinots add delicate depth and refinement. Flavours of biscuit and honey linger, perfect to accompany a Charcuterie board or roasted white meats.
Tinwood’s Rosé is an impressive, nearly see-through blush. A pH of 3.27, ABV of 12%, and 9.2g dosage gives the wine a refreshing, tartness that hints at flavours of English summer berries. Blended predominantly from red grape varieties, the rosé has an abundance of smooth bubbles. A small amount of Chardonnay adds freshness and finesse for which England is so acclaimed. Tinwood Rosé is best served with bitter dark chocolate or pungent stilton cheese to extract the sweetness of the wine.
Click here to view our Wine Technical Sheets.
Tinwood Stockists
Tinwood has been considered a local gem for Chichester and West Sussex residents. Unavailable to purchase in supermarkets, fans of the sparkling wine must visit the vineyard’s cellar door to purchase a bottle or visit a local stockist of the wine. Tinwood’s new relationship with The Society of Vintners will take the brand nationwide as they supply to member wine wholesalers across the UK. Finally branching beyond bars, restaurants, and farm shops in West Sussex, Tinwood Estate wines are now available to the trade nationally through Society of Vintners members.*
Click here to view Tinwood’s Stockist page.
More about The Society of Vintners
The Society of Vintners is a consortium of independent wholesalers covering the whole of the United Kingdom. This year they celebrate 50 years of serving the UK on-trade, collaborating with members and suppliers to source, ship and supply quality wines. To find your nearest SoV member, please use the following link www.sov.wine/members*.
Commenting on the partnership, John Mansfield, CEO of The Society of Vintners, said “I am delighted that we have been granted the opportunity of working with Tinwood to distribute their lovely sparkling wines across the UK. We value and appreciate the importance of family businesses (as represented by many of our members and the Tukker family) and look forward to showcasing the quality now available from one of the UK’s leading wine producers.”
The Society of Vintners
For trade enquiries, please contact our Trade Director Janine van Nieuwkerk at trade@tinwoodestate.com