Meet the Team
Eddie Sauvao | Founder
It started with a trip to meet the French cousins in 2011 that sparked the idea of planting a Vineyard here in Bath.
In Beaune, the walled town center of the Burgundy winemaking region, surrounded by the Côte d'Or vineyards. After a morning's wine tasting at Le Cellier de la Cabiote, I noticed the soil looked similar to ours on the farm. It was a throw-away comment at the time, "perhaps we should plant a vineyard along with your Quinoa," and four years later, in 2015, we took the audacious decision to plant ten thousand vines... a few thought I was crazy! But, I knew the Romans had vineyards in these fields in the middle ages.
Nurturing ten thousand vines (and juggling the day job) believing we would cultivate grapes that could produce quality sparkling wine has been exciting, scary, and, with a little patience.
James has always loved digging deeper. It inspired his first career in archaeology and later, while following his passion for great wines, it also inspired a wish to be part of the winemaking industry. While studying for his BSc (Hons) in Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College, he worked for various vineyards, and recognised a growing demand for viticultural services to the ever-expanding English wine industry.
D’ARCY GANDER – Vineworks
D’Arcy’s love of great English wines began while he was running a pub group in the south east. After graduating, he worked with Nyetimber Vineyards, helping to establish large areas of planting in West Sussex. Like James, he spotted the ever-increasing need for specialist industry support services, and created his own company, Vineyard Care, establishing vineyards in Sussex and Surrey, before co-founding Vine-Works Ltd in 2010.
Emma Rice | Wine Maker
The Award winning Emma Rice, from Hattingley Valley, continues on her stellar career as one of the worlds (if not the best) best! Proud winners of the World Champion Rosé trophy at The Italian Wine Journal Challenge Euposia XI edition 2018-2019.. Director and Head Winemaker: 2014 & 2016 UKVA Winemaker of the Year