Nyetimber unveils its first coffee table book, sharing a journey through the estate’s rich history, winemaking craft, and seasonal pairings.
On October 2nd, 2024, Nyetimber held a book launch event at its London HQ in Mayfair to celebrate the release of its debut linen-bound coffee table book, ‘Nyetimber: A Year In The Life Of England’s Finest Sparkling Wine’. The book is the culmination of 36 years dedicated to the craft of creating its globally renowned sparkling wines.
At the event, Dutch Owner and Chief Executive of Nyetimber, Eric Heerema, shared that the book was a labour of love for all involved, delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which interrupted photographers from capturing key moments in the grape-growing cycle. However, the wait was worthwhile, as the stunning images leap off the pages, featuring the Medieval thatched barn and manicured gardens of Nyetimber’s West Sussex estate, as well as the vines’ annual evolution, from budburst to the harvest and beyond, across Sussex, Hampshire and Kent.
The crisp, refreshing Nyetimber bubbles that we celebrate today have a legacy that dates back as far as 1086, when ‘Nitimbreha’ manor was first mentioned in the Domesday Book. Fast-forward nearly a millennium to 1988, the holy trinity of English sparkling wine grape varieties — chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier — were first planted on the estate. Sharing early characteristics of France’s Champagne region, Nyetimber’s vineyards benefit from a mild climate, chalky soils and south-facing slopes, creating a favourable terroir for producing world-class sparkling wine. Over time, Nyetimber has grown from strength to strength, leading the way at the forefront of the industry.
The book’s foreword, written by none other than Heston Blumenthal, a friend and collaborator of the brand, toasts to the book’s release, championing Nyetimber as a trailblazer of English sparkling wine: “It was the first to see and realise the potential of what is now a flourishing industry, challenging long-held preconceptions and solidifying England’s reputation as a premier sparkling wine region”.
The book reveals many of the main characters behind Nyetimber, including award-winning winemaker Cherie Spriggs and her husband Brad Greatrix, who craft the wines with scientific precision and care. Nyetimber’s Head Chef also showcases taste-tingling canapés, such as tuna tartare tacos, crab croustades, and raspberry and rose macarons, to pair with the wines, as sampled at the launch event. These flavours harmonised beautifully with Nyetimber’s iconic wines, including the Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, Rosé Multi-Vintage, Tillington Single Vineyard 2014, Blanc De Blancs 2016 and Cuvee Chérie Demi-Sec.
With its regal green linen cover, emblazoned with the Nyetimber logo and intricate grapevine illustrations, the book is an elegant addition to any coffee table or a perfect gift to a friend with a passion for fine English sparkling wine. It is now available to purchase for £49.95 at https://nyetimber.com/product/a-year-in-the-life-of-englands-finest-sparkling-wine/
Words by Emily Cotterhill
