Dorset’s very own Langham Wine Estate, a beacon of excellence in English winemaking, is raising a glass to its exciting new partnership with the renowned wine distributor, Liberty Wines. Known for curating one of the country’s most impressive portfolios, Liberty Wines is a fitting partner for Langham as they embark on this new chapter.
This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment for Langham, as they’ve expanded their single estate vineyard from twelve to an impressive thirty-four hectares. This makes it the largest vineyard in the South West, and with this growth, Langham is set to increase its winemaking capacity from 50,000 to a staggering 150,000 bottles annually.
Langham Wine Estate has become synonymous with quality, especially when it comes to their range of sparkling wines. Among their celebrated portfolio are the Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, Culver Classic Cuvée NV, Rosé NV, and Blanc de Blancs NV. These wines have not only captured the palates of enthusiasts but have also earned Langham multiple prestigious accolades.
At the 2024 WineGB Awards, Langham’s Corallian Classic Cuvée NV shone brightly, winning the ‘Best NV/MV Classic Cuvée’ trophy. Their Pinot Noir 2019 also garnered attention, clinching both the ‘Best Blanc de Noirs’ and the ‘Wessex Trophy’. In addition, the winery was honoured as the ‘Best Estate Winery of the Year’. The gold medals kept coming for Langham, with the Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, Pinot Noir 2019, Culver Classic Cuvée NV, Blanc de Blancs NV, and Rosé NV all receiving top recognition. The Corallian Classic Cuvée NV and Blanc de Blancs NV also secured gold at the 2024 Sommelier Wine Awards.
Notably, in 2020, Langham Wine Estate made headlines by winning the coveted Best Sparkling Wine Producer award at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), surpassing even the most esteemed French champagne houses and global sparkling wine producers.
Starting this September, Langham’s wines will be exclusively available through Liberty Wines, reaching a wider audience across the UK and Ireland. Liberty Wines’ portfolio includes some of the finest restaurants, hotels, bars, caterers, and retail outlets, ensuring that Langham’s exceptional wines will be in good company.
Reflecting on this milestone, Justin Langham, Managing Director of Langham Wine Estate, remarked, “2024 has been an exciting year for us, and we are delighted to join Liberty Wines. This partnership will help us meet growing demand and expand our distribution across the UK and Ireland. It also allows us to offer our trade customers a streamlined and professional service.”
Justin also shared news of their forthcoming plans: “We will shortly break ground on a brand-new winery, a £2 million investment that will allow us to increase production as our new vines bear fruit. This is a significant step for our passionate team of 12, and we aim to have it operational by August 2025.”
Tom Platt, CEO of Liberty Wines, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Langham is one of the most exciting names in English wine and complements our existing English sparkling range perfectly. Together with Langham, Rathfinny, Nyetimber, and Candover Brook, we’re highlighting the outstanding quality and diversity emerging in English sparkling wine. We’re thrilled to strengthen our offering to customers.”
Located at Crawthorne Farm, near Dorchester, Langham Wine Estate benefits from a south-facing aspect, chalk soils, and a unique microclimate—ideal conditions for ripening the classic Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Langham’s commitment to quality is evident in every bottle, with grapes hand-harvested from their estate and a low-intervention approach to winemaking.
As 2024 marks Langham Wine Estate’s 15th anniversary since the planting of their vineyard, they continue to innovate and expand. This year, the estate planted 13,000 new Chardonnay vines on the final 10 acres of their planned expansion. In July, they released the latest edition of the Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, a Chardonnay-dominant blend named after the coral-rich limestone rock strata beneath the vineyard. The new release of Blanc de Blancs is eagerly anticipated in August.
Langham Wine Estate’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep connection to the land of Dorset. As they look to the future, their commitment to producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of their estate remains unwavering. With a focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation, Langham Wine Estate is poised to continue delighting wine lovers for many years to come.
To learn more about Langham Wine Estate and their partnership with Liberty Wines, visit langhamwine.co.uk or libertywines.co.uk
