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News
Hambledon announces new MD following takeover
Hambledon Vineyard has appointed a new managing director following a 50/50 joint takeover by Symington Family Estates and Berry Bros. & Rudd in November.
Hambledon’s owners have named James Osborn as the estate’s new managing director, who will join the team in April.
Osborn has worked in the English wine sector for over a decade, most recently in the English wine consultancy team for real estate agency Knight Frank.
Prior to that, Osborn was a founding member of The Wine Garden of England, and managing director for Squerryes Wine Estate.
He also holds the position of non-executive director at Tillingham Wine Estate, a role he will maintain alongside his work as Hambledon managing director.
Johnny Roberts, interim MD for Hambledon Vineyard, told the drinks business why Osborn’s prior experience aligns with the estate’s future growth plans.
He said: “We know that on site tours, a new restaurant, hospitality and increasing sales are all important for Hambledon’s future growth. James has experience in all these areas from his previous roles and will bring his strong understanding of the UK market to the team.”
Emma Fox, CEO of Berry Bros. & Rudd, agreed the new MD appointment will be “instrumental in leading Hambledon’s growth plans at a very exciting time for the English sparkling category”.
Rob Symington, director of Symington Family Estates, added that the development of the senior leadership team “is an important part of our plan to grow Hambledon Vineyard”.
Under new management
A consortium led by wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd initiated a takeover bid for Hambledon Vineyard for £22.3 million in September 2023.
In November, the acquisition, a 50/50 joint venture between Berry Bros. & Rudd and Port producer Symington Family Estates, was confirmed. It is the Symington family’s first time making wine outside of Portugal.
Hambledon, England’s oldest commercial vineyard, produces wine from 200 acres (81ha) of vineyard, and has the capacity to produce more than 500,000 bottles per year of estate-grown sparkling wine.