Vision
As winegrowers, we pride ourselves in crafting terroir-driven sparkling wines using grapes only grown on our Dorset vineyard. We take a low-intervention approach to both grape growing and wine production, constantly striving to minimise our environmental impact and produce honest wines that reflect our terroir. We don’t fine or filter our wines, making them vegan & vegetarian friendly.
History
At the heart of the Langham Agricultural Estate sits the magnificent Bingham’s Melcombe manor house, Grade I listed and little changed since the reign of Edward VI. Acquired by John Langham in 1980, Bingham’s Melcombe became the centre point for the Langham Agricultural Enterprise, today comprising over 1,000 hectares.
The first incarnation of the Langham vineyard was originally established at Bingham’s Melcombe by John Langham as a hobby. In 2009 John’s son, Justin Langham, decided to develop his father’s idea into a commercial venture, and planted 30 acres of vines on their land at Crawthorne Farm, a few miles down the road from Bingham’s Melcombe House.
Vineyard
With a south-facing aspect, chalk soils and a unique microclimate, Crawthorne Vineyard provides the perfect terroir for ripening the classic Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Established hedgerows and trees provide natural wind breaks and habitat for a large variety of beneficial organisms. Growing our own grapes means we can pick at optimum ripeness, free from the shackles of contract purchasing and resulting in a better quality wine.
We are constantly working towards reducing chemical intervention in the vineyard, employing diligent canopy management executed at specific times. By increasing air flow through the canopy and promoting biological control organisms, the effects of disease are kept to a minimum. All our grapes are handpicked, and rigorous vineyard selection ensures only the highest quality grapes arrive at the winery.
Winery
Housed in a characterful old barn, the winery provides the perfect fusion of old and new. With a selection of temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and used French barriques, we have all the tools required to produce exceptional wines. With the winery located within metres of the vineyard, the grapes that are so carefully nurtured throughout the year are picked and processed within a few hours, avoiding the need to transport the grapes and risk compromising the quality.
People
At Langham we are truly passionate about what we do. Read on to get to know a little about each member of our dynamic team.
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Justin, Director
Justin has always had a passion for wine, and in 2009 decided to make his dream a reality by planting a 30 acre vineyard site at Crawthorne Farm.
Before planting the vineyard, Justin toured many of the world’s most venerable wine regions and studied viticulture at Plumpton College. The combination of these experiences gave Justin the foundations for establishing a world-class wine estate.
Despite having numerous other business commitments, you will often find Justin rolling up his sleeves and helping to load the press or drive the tractor.
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Tommy, Winemaker
After a season of labelling and bottling wine as a summer job, Tommy developed a love for English wine and left school to work a harvest at Sharpham Vineyard in Devon where he then progressed to Assistant Winemaker. Tommy joined the team here in January 2019 as Assistant Winemaker, working with Daniel Ham, to focus on producing world class sparkling wines without fining or filtration and minimal SO2 additions.
In January 2020 Tommy took on the role of Head Winemaker and plans to continue and develop the ethos of minimal intervention, not because of the growing trend in ‘natural’ wine but purely based on the complexity of the end product. In addition, Tommy has attained his WSET level 3, carries out public tastings for Emerging Vines and has judged for the Independent English Wine Awards. In June 2022, Tommy was included on Harpers 30 Under 30 list, and was named their Commitment Champion for his dedication to the industry.
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James, Vineyard Manager
James joined us in 2022 from Wiston Estate in Sussex. After studying at Plumpton at the age 18, James went on to work in New Zealand, the South of France and at Harrow & Hope and Hattingley Valley here in the UK.
Upon hearing the news of Langham’s expansion, he jumped at the opportunity to apply for the role of Vineyard Manager. With the 55 acre expansion, James will be part of the team to bring Langham Wine Estate into it’s next stage.
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Calum, Sales & Marketing
Calum joined at the start of 2023, having previously managed the wine merchant Tivoli Wines in his hometown of Cheltenham. The roots of his career in the wine trade can be found in Leeds, where after graduating with a degree in Music Production, he worked as a waiter and trainee sommelier and caught the wine bug. After an unexpected three year detour via the world of business software, Calum realised he was happier drinking and talking about wine and landed in wine retail, learning as much as possible about all manner of drinks and how best to pass that self-taught knowledge back on to his customers.
“A string of visits to English wine producers in 2019 was a lightbulb moment for us – we have a scene growing in his country that we should be very proud of and I was convinced I had a role to play in spreading the word. Now I get to sell what I genuinely believe are some of the best sparkling wines in the world to the trade.”
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Becky, Assistant Vineyard Manager
Becky joined us in May 2021 after a stint working for Vineworks, Vineyard Consultancy. Previous to that Becky also worked numerous vintages in France, studied at Plumpton College, worked in the winery at Ridgeview Vineyard, and in the vineyard at Rathfinny Estate; so she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience from all sides of the wine industry.
Becky’s father introduced her to quality wines growing up, and combining this with a desire to work outdoors, it would seem that this is the perfect job!“Langham’s attitude towards creating low intervention, top quality wines drew me to the role here. I especially love the fact that they are bold enough to buck the trend and make totally unique styles of wine. It’s very exciting.”
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Andy, Assistant Winemaker
Andy joined us in October 2021 after being the 2nd Vintners Apprentice Winemaker in the country; working and honing his skills at Hampshire vineyard, Hattingley Valley for 2 years.
Previous to this Andy’s life could have gone in one of two directions. A career in sport was on the cards after studying it at university, but at the same time he had worked his way through various stages of the hospitality industry, from the kitchen to managing craft beer and wine bars. Andy spent a few years in Australia and truly found his calling when he was able to taste some exceptional wines that made him question how they came to be and what exactly happens in the winery to produce them! On his return to the UK he pursued a career in wine retail, exposing him to wines from all around the world, before applying for the apprenticeship at Hattingley.
“Having heard of Langham and visited the vineyard, when they advertised for an assistant winemaker I was immediately interested in working with an exceptional boutique low intervention producer as it was something I was passionate about and believed in. I was really keen to be part of an expanding winery with massive potential and immediately felt the ethos and approach of Langham suited me. “
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Mark, Tasting Room Manager
Originally from just outside Toronto, Canada, Mark fell in love with the world of wine while working as a bartender following a career as a competitive swimmer. It wasn’t long before he found himself on this side of the pond heading up the wine experience at Vinopolis in London’s Borough Market. After a stint working in some of Australia’s best restaurants and harvests in New Zealand and Canada, he’s back in the UK and eager to put it all to good use.
Coupling his experience with the trusty WSET Level 4 Diploma, Mark loves to make wine accessible for everyone, relating it all to what people are familiar with. Nothing makes him happier than seeing others become excited and passionate about wine, which is what drew him to the role here at Langham.
“There are so many small but vital things that are done in the minimal intervention style here which make my job of describing the journey from grape to glass that much more interesting. Pairing this with the beautiful backdrop of rural Dorset, it’s the perfect spot to really shake things up in the industry.”
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Georgina, Vineyard Assistant
Georgina has been with us for around 4 years now, after getting into wine purely by chance. She has always had an interest in food growing and worked on organic farms while travelling in Australia and on hops farms in NZ.
Upon her return to the UK in 2018 she wanted to carry on with similar work and wine seemed like an interesting area to explore. She was drawn to Langham after dabbling in the 9-5 office life in advertising at an environmental magazine, but she missed the outdoors and having grown up in the area she knew of Langham Wine Estate. Georgina helped out at harvest 2 years in a row, before being hired as a full-time vineyard assistant in 2019.
Her favourite part about working in the vineyard is “getting to be outside with the vines every day, getting to see the sunrise and sunset and experience all the great British weather has to offer (although there are some days I would disagree with this statement).”
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Emma, Tour Guide
Emma is a former BBC journalist who has been taking visitors on guided tour here at Langham for the past 4 years. Emma is at home talking to people and thrives off getting to know her tour groups, tailoring the experience to their interests.
“I love the story behind Langham Wine. Our guided tours attract all kinds of people, from those who’ve travelled the world visiting vineyards, to those who’ve come to one for the first time. Taking them on the journey of how our award winning sparkling wine is made is a privilege and a joy.”
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Blondie, Machinery
Coming soon…
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Wendy, Vineyard Assistant
Coming soon…
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Lottie, Vineyard Assistant
Coming soon…
Langham Wine Estate © 2023. All Rights Reserved | Registered office address: Bingham's Melcombe, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7PZ | Company number 07889241 | VAT No. 397 2588 37 | Web Design Dorset - Good Design Works