Hidden in the Hampshire downs, just outside Whitchurch, lies a world-beating secret vineyard.
The Coates and Seely Winery was established in 2008 and since then has been producing high quality ‘Britagne’, which has been taking on the French Champagne houses at their own game.
Over the last decade, their sparkling wines have been winning prizes across the board and have found themselves served in some of the ritziest places in the UK including the Dorchester Hotel, the Savoy and Kensington Palace. Impressively, they are the only non-French sparkling wine to be sold at the world-famous George V Hotel in Paris.
Their incredible success recently saw them win the coveted Best in Show Trophy in the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards and a Platinum medal, despite them being “a very English secret”.
Kit Malthouse, MP for North West Hampshire, who visited the vineyard last week said: “It was six years to the day that I last visited Coates & Seeley and it was great to see the business going from strength to strength. I have served their delicious wines at special occasions over the years and I am so proud that they are served regularly in British embassies across the world. Everyone is always delighted by the exceptional quality of the wine and surprised to know the grapes are grown right here in lovely North West Hampshire.
“Congratulations to the whole team on their stunning prize at the Decanter awards and I look forward to watching their vines spread across our beautiful chalk downland.”