Ridgeview’s Texas deal set to strengthen US position

Sussex sparkling wine producer Ridgeview is set to strengthen its position in the US market by launching its range in Texas.

Ridgeview wines are now available in seven US states, with a further two soon to join the list

The partnership with the Texas-based Victory Wine Group is one of a number of promotional events Ridgeview is undertaking in the US this autumn.

It follows news reported by db in September of the first ever full 20ft container of English wine being delivered to the US through the British Bottle Company.

Ridgeview CEO Tamara Roberts has recently returned from a 10-day trip to the US during which she visited three, meeting trade, consumers and journalists. While Stateside, Roberts also took part in Wine Riot, a popular consumer wine event in New York.

Ridgeview has been exporting to the US since 2011. The estate’s sparkling wines are now available in New York, Washington DC, Texas, North and South Carolina, Virginia and California, with Michigan and Arizona soon to join the list.

“It is a really exciting time for English wine in the US and the feedback I received from the tastings was amazing,” Roberts commented.

“The quality of our wines shined through and cemented the Americans’ love of British products.

“Since winning gold medals at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards and scoring 90+ points for our wines in the US based Wine Enthusiast magazine, we expect to see a huge rise in interest for our wines across the US.”

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Ridgeview’s distributor in Washington DC, sommelier Andrew Stover from Siema Wines, highlighted the growing popularity of Ridgeview wines in the US.

“Ridgeview wines are a huge hit on this side of the pond as they play to the curiosity of our independent wine shop and sommelier clients,” he said.

“The clients have read loads of media on English wine and now have the opportunity to take that story to their customers who are seeking high quality, interesting sparkling wines that are a bit more delicate than champagne but with just as much finesse.”

In a bid to cement homegrown gastronomy in the US, later this month Ridgeview is also set to work with two Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge and British Airways to promote British food at the Above & Beyond Bringing Britain Closer event, in San Francisco. The event will showcase British dishes paired with wines hailing from Britain.

The positive news from Ridgeview comes as English Wine Producers announce the expectation of an ‘exceptional’ harvest for producers in England.

Pinot Noir grapes being harvested at Ridgeview estate

With the harvest now well under way in the UK, growers across the country have reporting that 2016 is shaping up to be a high-quality vintage.

“Overall, 2016 is looking to be a fantastic vintage for the UK,” Julia Trustram Eve, marketing director of English Wine Producers, said.

“We haven’t experienced any dramatic weather patterns such as seen in other parts of Europe and have had the benefit of some great summer and early autumn weather just when our grapes need it.”

“It’s too early to predict yields but they are looking to remain a good average. There will be more acres coming into full production this year to add to the volumes being harvested this year.”

For sparkling wine varieties, wine consultant Stephen Skelton MW expects sugars and acids in Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs to be excellent, while some great fruit is also expected for still wines.

“If people wait, then some very good still wines from these varieties will be produced as well,” he said.

Harvesting will continue through most of October in the UK. Final figures on yields and other vineyard statistics will be released in spring 2017.