everflyht, ditchling, sussex, england

Organic - Non Certified - Focus on regenerative farming

Started in 2016 with a view of creating a single estate vineyard producing some top notch sparkling wines, Everflyht has morphed into one of the most inovative producers of sparkling wine on the english wine scene recently.

What makes these guys special is their approach to their farming practices with a considered approach to all things regenerative, which is a welcome sight in this day and age. Many of us are becoming fully aware of what it takes to produce anything in this world, and the impact it has on the enviroment.

Everflyht is owned by the Ellis family, who after a visit to the sunny state of California, and Napa in particular felt that they could produce something to rival the big guns of the english wine world, in the heart of Sussex on the south coast of the UK.

It was a very rain swepped afternoon when I was invited (after winning an Instagram competition) alongside some friends to visit the vineyard and learn more about their ethos and practices that I became sold on the idea of what they’re trying to achieve here.

The name ‘Everflyht’ is inspired by the six Martlets of the Sussex crest symbolising knowledge, adventure, and learning. Said to never land, these birds are ‘ever in flight’. These six Martlets make up the Everflyht feather, a symbol of our adventures and innovation in wine and to never settle.

We had a fabolous welcome from the team starting with a coffee - much needed after an early start from London, and after been given some delightfully branded wet weather gear, we ventured out in amongst the vines.

The vineyard manager here is a lovely gent called Luke Spalding. A genuinely lovely bloke who’s enthusiam and passion for his ideas on regeneration and viticulture became apparent from the moment we set foot amongst the vines. Wandering amongst the rows of Chardonnay/Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier one could get a real sense of what it takes to run a vineyard in this way. Without the usual neat rows of vines that one often sees in vineyards around the world, I guess you could question why there was so many flowers, foliage scattered amongst the vines.

Lukes energy and drive was clear and evident to see, and you could get a real sense of something special taking place here.

The vineyard is planted to a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier across 3 different blocks, to which they produce 2 different wines; a NV Brut, and a Vintage Saignee Rose.

Whilst I enjoyed the NV Brut, the star of the show had to be the Rose. When I asked Luke about where their inspiration comes from, he mentioned they look towards champagne houses such as Ruinart and Laurent Perrier, who’s own roses are well known for being darker in colour, richer and more concentrated.

We spent a good while walking around the vineyard, taking it all in, and although the weather certainly wasn’t on our side (granted we did turn up like typical londoners ready for a day out down the kings road instead of a vineyard in the pouring rain, but we were all having such a blast it didn’t seem to matter that much.

One of Luke’s newer ideas is to turn many of the old vines/mulch etc… into a compost that can then be added back onto the vineyard.

I mean you’ve gotta give these guys some credit where due. Growing grapes in the UK isn’t easy at the best of times, but to do it with less impact on the enviroment, minimising various sprays etc… that often get used to reduce the infectuous bugs and diseases that can attack a vineyard at various stages through the year.

Overall I left impressed, not just by the great wines being produced here, but also the tanacity & relentless pursuit of wanting to make a better impact on the enviroment too.

You can purchase their wines direct from them here

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