Our Story

The secret to perfection is patience

Unbound By Convention

Since 2009, Exton Park has crafted premium English sparkling wine at our 60 acre single vineyard in the heart of Hampshire’s South Downs. Guided by the pioneering vision of our late Founder, Malcolm Isaac MBE, Exton Park’s philosophy is rooted in quality, innovation and forging our own unique path in pursuit of excellence.

Trailblazing English sparkling wine

Malcolm’s unwavering vision to make world-class English sparkling wine was difficult to imagine back then, especially in such an unpredictable climate, and by a man who was a newcomer to viticulture. With a successful career pioneering UK Farming, Malcolm recognised the true potential of the soil at Exton Park. His patience and determination to succeed has made him one of the great trailblazers of English sparkling wine.

Reserve Blends

Our signature collection

Our Reserve Blends are curated from a library of reserve wines dating back to 2011 to guarantee consistency and quality across our range regardless of the impact of the weather on our harvest. This is why our wines are favoured by the nation’s top Michelin Star Chefs such as Adam Handling and are hand sold by the UK’s most prestigious wine shops.

Limited Releases

Wines that satisfy the imagination

We only make vintage wines during years that we believe our fruit is exceptional. Available under our Limited Release range, these wines boldly challenge convention and satisfy the imagination. We were the first in the UK to experiment with sea-aged wine, we were the originators of pure Pinot Meunier Rosé and we proudly offer some of the longest lees-aged vintages in the country. Look out for our continuous flow of further innovations in the pipeline.

Single vineyard, total control

To be confident that we are offering our customers the highest quality wines, everything we create emanates from our single vineyard, from growing and nurturing the vines, to pressing, blending and ageing the wines in our winery and cellar. We only use grapes that we have grown ourselves, we only make Exton wines in our winery. We therefore have complete freedom over every aspect of our vineyard and winery to experiment, to continually push the boundaries of what English sparkling wine can be.

Champagne method with an English twist

Whilst we owe much of our modus operandi to Champagne, from viticulture and traditional method production, to grape varieties and equipment, our style is very different. Our wines reflect the unique location of our English vineyard, expressing the character of our chalky soil and our cooler climate, whilst benefitting from a greater freedom to be creative and innovate.

The chalk naturally encourages high concentration in the fruit and wines that boast freshness and acidity. For us this is an intrinsic part of English sparkling wine’s true character, not to be supressed but to be celebrated and enjoyed.

Our Vineyard

Solent View

Plot 5 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 90-120m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Pinot Meunier
  • DENSITY: High
  • ACREAGE: 1.5
  • SOIL DEPTH: 4 inches
  • ASPECT: South facing
  • PRUNING: Chablis
  • MICROCLIMATE: At the top of the vineyard. Woodlands protect from the prevailing winds. Higher density resulting in warm microclimate even though the vineyard plot is situated at the highest point

High Field

Plot 4 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 100-120m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
  • DENSITY: Low
  • ACREAGE: 3
  • SOIL DEPTH: 4 inches
  • ASPECT: South facing
  • PRUNING: Guyot
  • MICROCLIMATE: Cooler with more exposure to prevailing wind. A dry canopy which allows different canopy management ideas and cover crop experimentation

Home Field

Plot 3 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 80-100m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
  • DENSITY: Low
  • ACREAGE: 7
  • SOIL DEPTH: 4 inches
  • ASPECT: South facing
  • PRUNING: Guyot
  • MICROCLIMATE: Cooler with more exposure to prevailing wind. A dry canopy which allows different canopy management ideas and cover crop experimentation

Holloway

Plot 9 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 70-120m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Pinot Meunier
  • DENSITY: Low
  • ACREAGE: 5
  • SOIL DEPTH: 4 to 10 inches
  • ASPECT: East facing
  • PRUNING: Guyot
  • MICROCLIMATE: Steep gradient. Exposed to the easterly morning sunlight. Bottom half is protected from the prevailing wind, keeping the microclimate warm with slightly cooler conditions at the top

Ash Ridge

Plot 1 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 70-90m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
  • DENSITY: High
  • ACREAGE: 8.5
  • SOIL DEPTH: 4 to 8 inches
  • ASPECT: South to South East facing
  • PRUNING: Guyot
  • MICROCLIMATE: Steep gradient in opposite direction from the prevailing wind. Warm mornings with cooler afternoons. Grapes can be exposed to the sun to encourage ripeness. Higher density plantings resulting in warmer microclimate

Orchid Copse

Plot 2 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 70-90m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
  • DENSITY: Low
  • ACREAGE: 10
  • SOIL DEPTH: 4 to 8 inches
  • ASPECT: South to South East facing
  • PRUNING: Vertically spur prunned and Gyote
  • MICROCLIMATE: Steep gradient in opposite direction from the prevailing wind. Warm mornings with cooler afternoons. Grapes can be exposed to the sun to encourage ripeness

Battle Field

Plot 8 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 70m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
  • DENSITY: Low and High
  • ACREAGE: 25
  • SOIL DEPTH: 15 inches
  • ASPECT: South facing
  • PRUNING: Guyot
  • MICROCLIMATE: At the bottom of the vineyard and protected from the prevailing winds. Warmest part of vineyard. South facing but exposed to the East allowing for lower pruning heights

Chestnut Henge

Plot 7 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 65m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
  • DENSITY: Low and High
  • ACREAGE: 25
  • SOIL DEPTH: 15 inches
  • ASPECT: South facing
  • PRUNING: Guyot
  • MICROCLIMATE: At the bottom of the vineyard and protected from the prevailing winds. Warmest part of vineyard. South facing but exposed to the East allowing for lower pruning heights

Meonwarra

Plot 6 of 9

  • ALTITUDE: 60m
  • VARIETIES GROWN: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
  • DENSITY: Low and High
  • ACREAGE: 25
  • SOIL DEPTH: 15 inches
  • ASPECT: South facing
  • PRUNING: Guyot
  • MICROCLIMATE: Warm, blocked from prevailing wind

Sustainability

Creating a Natural Ecosystem

Putting our soil at the very heart of our ethos benefits our wines, our environment and our planet, no compromise needed.

Woven Into Our Roots

That’s why sustainability is woven into the roots of Exton Park by design. We’re a founding member of WineGB’s Sustainable Wines of Great Britain accreditation, and we take the most natural approach possible to growing, managing and harvesting our fruit. As a sustainably minded wine producer, we have already reduced our carbon footprint by offsetting much of our energy usage through solar power.

We are committed to developing the biodiversity of our vineyard
– with birds, bees, sheep, and wildflowers all playing a part in fertilising, controlling pests, and enhancing our natural ecosystem.

A beautiful Estate, for now and for the future

We are situated in the South Downs National Park and within an area of outstanding beauty. We aim to restrict visitor numbers to preserve that beauty, ensuring that the Exton estate remains as it looks and feels today, for the foreseeable future.

Our Team

An Eclectic Family

Every member of our eclectic partnership of viticulturists, winemakers and business minds bring something unique to our community and we value and respect those areas of expertise. Meet the team below.

Robin McMillan

Chief Executive Officer

Robin joined Exton Park as Chief Executive in July 2022 and brings with him 30 years commercial experience, primarily in the wine business and at Board level. He was most recently the Managing Director at Decanter and prior to that was Chief Executive at The Wine Society for six years and Chief Operating Officer at Berry Bros & Rudd.

Fred Langdale

Vineyard Director

After gaining experience at Davenport Vineyards and then pursuing a Viticulture certificate at Plumpton College, Fred worked in New Zealand and South Africa, for a year in each, before heading back to the UK to focus on his passion – cool climate viticulture. He went on to supervise one of Nyetimber’s larger sites before moving to Exton Park in 2008. Fred has spearheaded Exton Park’s sustainability initiatives and won the Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2020 to further his research into cool climate viticulture, with a focus on frost protection and ecological sustainability.

Corinne Seely

Head Winemaker

Corinne’s winemaking approach marries art and science, drawing on experience gained in Bordeaux at the prestigious grand cru classé Domaine de Chevalier before becoming consultant winemaker around the world. She spent time in Australia, the Languedoc and the Douro before finally discovering England. In 2011, she joined Exton Park where she has been instrumental in developing our philosophy, creating imaginative and unexpected wines that flourish out of an English climate, before becoming a consultant winemaker.

Kit Ellen

Commercial Director

Kit started his wine journey in 2010 as a Majestic Wine graduate passing his WSET Level 3 and winning the prestigious González Byass Scholarship, before moving onto the Level 4 Diploma. After four years at Free Run Wines importing grower Champagnes, Kit pursued his interest in English sparkling wine and joined Exton Park in 2017 to grow the commercial side of the business.

Lindsey Emberley

Finance & Operations Director

Lindsey’s cool head, practical nous and flawless organisation is fundamental to the day-to-day running of Exton Park. She ensures the smooth running of our business operations while looking after the wellbeing of the team.

Caroline Brosnan

Marketing Manager

A seasoned marketing specialist with almost 20 years’ experience in the UK’s top advertising agencies, Caroline swapped city life for the vineyard in 2020. Caroline’s responsible for managing and growing our brand.

Karl McCulloch

Brand Ambassador

Karl has extensive experience working with independent wine merchants, with expertise across private sales and buying. With a Wine and Spirit Educational Trust diploma under his belt, Karl’s responsible for developing our business, speaking for our brand and supporting our valued clients.

Amy Noke

Events Coordinator

With a background in the wine business, Amy joined the team in 2023 and is responsible for private events and tours. Her impeccable attention to detail ensures guests enjoy a memorable experience every time they visit.

Nick Knight

Assistant Winemaker

As a budding winemaker, Nick spent time working in Portuguese vineyards before making the move to Exton Park. He works closely with Corinne to craft our wines and oversees the day-to-day running of the winery.

Scott Baker

Winery Operator

Scott joined Exton Park from a hospitality management background which involved purchasing wine for a number of bars and venues. It was here that he developed a taste for English wines and decided to embark on a WSET qualification. He plays an instrumental role in keeping the winery in order and supporting the winemaking team, as well as helping our sales team with local projects.

Dan Head

Warehouse Supervisor

Dan plays a pivotal role in managing the warehouse, overseeing all orders and ensuring seamless fulfilment. He has a passion for wine and is currently studying his WSET qualification.

Milo Howes

Vineyard Assistant

Milo has worked the Exton Park harvest for a number of years but recently joined as a full-time member of the team. As our dependable Vineyard Assistant, you can often find him amongst the vines or at the wheel of a tractor, ensuring everything is as it should be on the vineyard.