Coates & Seely began in 2008 as a shared quest between two old friends, Nicholas Coates and Christian Seely. Bringing together their respective, highly successful backgrounds in finance and international winemaking, they shared an unshakeable belief that England's soils could produce bubbles to rival the finest in the world. Their winemaking adventure drew them directly to the ancient, sweeping chalk downs of Hampshire. Today, their multi-award-winning English sparkling wine has achieved global recognition, proudly listed in royal palaces, iconic luxury hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurants around the world.
The true secret to their success lies in the exceptional landscape of their vineyards, nestled in a secluded, V-shaped valley between the clear waters of the River Test and the famous high ridge of Watership Down. Here, the vines sit on pure chalk soils topped with clay and rugged flints. These flints act like natural hot-water bottles, absorbing the warmth of the daytime sun and radiating it back into the topsoil during the night. Furthermore, the enclosed valley shape acts as a natural sun-trap in late summer, capturing the season's final heat to ripen the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes to absolute perfection.
In the vineyards, the team works in harmony with nature, cultivating the land entirely without the use of harsh pesticides or herbicides. The fruit is meticulously hand-harvested only when it hits the ideal tipping point of crisp acidity, sweet fruit, and a distinct, refreshing saline minerality. In the cellar, Coates & Seely champions extended lees ageing, allowing the wine to rest on its spent yeast cells for years. This patient process coaxes out an incredible depth of flavour, transforming fresh fruit into a complex masterpiece of toasted brioche, creamy texture, and refined elegance. This collection represents the very peak of sophisticated British craftsmanship, ideal for any special occasion.