The existing vineyard plot during pruning. January 2011

MICHAEL WAGSTAFF VINEYARD OWNER Mike spent the first 26 years of his career in the oil and gas industry and in the City – not the most obvious qualifications for running a vineyard making sparkling wine in Surrey. Prior to acquiring Greyfriars in 2010, I spent the previous 11 years as part of the team at Venture Production, an Aberdeen based independent oil and gas production company first as Finance Director and subsequently as Chief Executive. Over this period we built Venture from scratch into the largest UK independent operating in the North Sea with a market value of £1.5 billion. After Venture was acquired in late 2009, I had the time and flexibility to think about ‘What next…….?’ Owning a vineyard had been a long held secret dream of my wife and I. We were attracted to Greyfriars from a geological perspective recognizing the similarities of the geology (and climate) of the North and South Downs to the Champagne region. Our ambition is to expand Greyfriars from ‘hobby’ scale today to become a small commercial vineyard producing exciting high quality sparkling wine which reflects the unique characteristics of this fantastic location.
DAVID LINE VINEYARD MANAGER David spent the first 12 years of his career touring the globe in his own successful rock band, releasing six albums and numerous singles along the way. On the road he also found time to start developing a healthy interest in wine, especially Champagne. For the last four years he managed an award winning bar in Clapham, South London. Having studied viticulture at Plumpton college and spent the last year alongside the previous owners here at Greyfriars David feels he is ready to take on the world of vines. “ When Mike recently bought the Vineyard and offered me a job I knew it was an opportunity too good to be missed and the world of wine making appeals greatly to my creative side. The idea of a family run business working alongside people you can trust with both of us having the same goal in mind, as well having quite a different set of skills to bring to the table, is deeply rewarding and tremendously exciting. I am enthused with the knowledge that Mike and I are going to do things a little different from the norm and we are planning some unique experiments with our wine making with the sole aim of making original, high quality and (hopefully) award winning English Sparkling wines!”.
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