I first became interested in English wine in 2013.  To choose the sparkling wine for my daughter’s wedding, we held a blind taste-test amongst the family, pitting well known champagne labels against proseccos and cavas, and thinking them wildcards we threw a couple of English sparkling wines into the mix.  Much to our surprise, an English sparkling wine was the hands-down winner, voted unanimously as everyone’s favourite.  We served that English sparkling at the wedding reception and it went down extremely well.  That was the moment when I realised that English wines were much more than promising; they could be superb.

Having worked in the British food industry for almost 50 years, more than 20 of which were as part of a team running a successful SME, I am passionate about the British food and drink scene, and very much enjoy championing local producers.  After researching the local climate and landscape where I lived, and tests for the suitability of the soil, I was delighted to discover that the land surrounding my house is well suited to growing vines.

We planted the vines in 2020 (a wonderful break to the monotony of lockdown!) and last year (2023) our first wine was ready.

John Holroyd,

Owner of Oakhanger Vineyard.