Mike Roberts began his professional career as a chartered accountant and then went on to establish his own IT business in 1983.  After selling up in 1994, he and his wife Chris decided they would like to own a vineyard and Rigeview Estate Winery was born.  The land they chose was in the South Downs and from the outset they decided that they would make English sparkling wine based on traditional Champagne varietals.  They selected 13 different French clones of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Munier and used three different rootstocks.

The Roberts' son Simon helped plant vines back in 1995 before gaining winery experience in Australia.  He is now the Ridgeview winemaker, working alongside his Australian wife Mardi who is the Marketing Manger.

Mike Roberts was also the Chair of English Wine Producers (now Wine GB) when he died in 2014.

Ridgeview wines have received numerous awards in competition.  The Fitzrovia sparkling wine was served during President Obama's visit to the UK in May 2011 and the Grosvenor was served at Windsor Castle when Irish President Michael Higgins made his state visit in April 2014.

In 2018 the International Wine and Spirit Competition named Ridgeview their Winemaker of the Year - the first time this award had been given to an English winemaker.

Ridgeview exports about 20% of its product to Japan, Australia, USA and Scaninavian countries.

Tours of the vineyard and winery are available throughout the year outside of harvest season.

(Images © Ridgeview)