Kent & East Sussex vineyards take home the trophies at IEWA 2023

Wines from Biddenden in Kent and Busi Jacobson and Oastbrook in Sussex given top 2023 accolades

Results from the seventh Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) are in and vineyards in Kent and Sussex picked up the trophies for the best sparkling and still wines.

Busi Jacobsohn, in the High Weald of East Sussex, stood out among the 12 sparkling wines that received gold medals at this year’s awards, taking home the overall Sparkling Wine Trophy for its debut Blanc de Noirs from the stellar 2018 vintage.

IEWA chair of the judges and Master of Wine Liam Steevenson described the English sparkling wine made from a blend of 92 % Pinot Noir and 8 % Pinot Meunier as, “Absolutely stunning and perhaps the best fizz from anywhere I have tasted this year.”

Fellow East Sussex vineyard, Oastbrook, was awarded the Still White Wine Trophy for its Pinot Blanc 2022, having created a beautifully balanced and luxurious expression of this variety.

Rounding off the trio of trophy winners was Biddenden Vineyard with its delicious limited-edition Gamay Noir 2022 – a light bodied fruit forward wine with a striking colour.

A total of 16 wines were awarded gold at the 2023 IEWA, here’s the full list: