Making sparkling wine is an old craft that’s found a new home. The French (and other European nations) may have been producing it for 300 years, but since the start of the 21^st century, the UK has become an increasingly significant player.

On this week’s The Factory Next Door we head to Kent to meet the team making some of our most internationally celebrated wines.

Number 26 on our list of the greatest things we make in Britain is The Sparkling Wine by Gusbourne.

Chief Vineyard Manager Jon Pollard explains why the number of hectares under vine in England and Wales has quadrupled in the past 25 years, talks about managing the changing climate, as well as getting back to traditional farming methods and why sheep are welcome visitors to the estate.

Also on the show, Gusbourne’s head winemaker Mary Bridges chats about the ‘salt’ and ‘pepper’ of winemaking, the joy of harvesting, and reveals she occasionally wants someone else to pick the wine when out with friends.

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