C&C Wines Becomes First London Distributor for Leonardslee Wine Estate
C&C Wines is delighted to announce its partnership with Leonardslee Wine Estate, becoming the first-ever Greater London distributor since Leonardslee’s first release in Autumn 2025.
Located in the heart of West Sussex, Leonardslee Wine Estate has quickly emerged as one of England’s most exciting boutique producers, crafting elegant still and sparkling wines that reflect the precision, freshness and balance increasingly associated with premium English winemaking. The inaugural Leonardslee Brut Vintage 2021 received 95 Points from Decanter.
Susie Barrie MW described it as “really savoury, a rich, bready, hedonistic style that has lovely mouthwatering acidity… Long, layered and toasty.”
Simon Field MW praised the wine’s “persistent mousse, a pleasing autolytic character and plenty of energy, tension and length.”
Rebecca Palmer noted “mayblossom notes and deeper, mushroomy, creamy layers… Expansive on the finish.”
The partnership marks an important milestone for both businesses. As Leonardslee’s Greater London distribution partner, we will introduce the wines to leading restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars across London.
At a time when demand for premium English wine continues to accelerate, Leonardslee offers something particularly compelling - a modern English estate combining luxury hospitality, meticulous vineyard management and a strong sense of place.
The addition of Leonardslee Wine Estate reflects our continued focus on identifying ambitious, quality-driven producers capable of resonating with today’s consumers and hospitality buyers alike, and we will be regularly welcoming customers to the Estate in West Sussex for induction days.
For more information about Leonardslee Wine Estate, please contact your Account Manager. Or, if you are not yet a customer, Contact Us to discuss opening an account.
The following wines are now available through C&C Wines across Greater London:
Leonardslee Multi-Vintage Classic Cuvée
Vineyard - The fruit is harvested from two vineyard sites, both sheltered, south facing slopes, 89 m.a.s.l with silty loam topsoil and silty clay loam subsoil. The vines are planted 2.1m x 1m in a north south row direction with a 6 wire VSP trellising system.
Winemaking – A blend of 48% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier. Crafted in the Leonardslee tradition of precision, elegance, and site expression, this Multi-Vintage Classic Cuvée offers a broader interpretation of our single-estate vineyard. While our primary focus remains single-site, single-vintage wines that capture the individuality of each growing season, our extensive library of barrel-aged reserve wines has allowed us to create a sparkling wine that reflects both place and house style. Driven by Chardonnay for its finesse, purity, and exceptional ageing potential, this cuvée blends seven carefully selected components across four vintages (2020/21/22/23). Recent vintages contribute freshness, fruit, and vibrancy, while older reserve wines add layered complexity, texture, and depth. After 24 months on lees, the wine is already showing beautifully, balancing youthful energy with developed sophistication. The final blend is meticulously assembled to convey not only a 360º view of estate but also the soul of Leonardslee - focused, precise and greater than the sum of its parts.
Tasting Note - Fresh and bright on the nose, Leonardslee Multi-Vintage Classic Cuvée reveals inviting aromas of lemon, pear, orange blossom, warm brioche, and subtle nuttiness. Fine, soft, and delicate bubbles create an elegant mousse, leading to a palate of remarkable length, balance, and persistence. Mineral-driven with zesty Granny Smith apple like acidity, it offers vibrant layers of berry, peach, and grapefruit. Refined yet expressive, this Classic Cuvée finishes with precision and freshness.
Leonardslee Brut Reserve 2021
Vineyard - A sheltered, south facing slope, with silty loam topsoil and silty clay loam subsoil. The vines are planted 2.1m x 1m in a north south row direction with a 6 wire VSP trellising system.
Winemaking – A blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20%, Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier. The grapes were hand-harvested in the cool of the morning. They were then whole-bunch pressed into part stainless steel and French oak barrels (20%) for fermentation. Full malolactic fermentation was done on the base wine to soften the 2021’s natural acidity, adding a creamy texture and depth. Only wine made from the free run juice together with 6% reserve wine from previous vintages was used in the final blend to create the signature Leonardslee house style. The final blend was bottled where it then underwent, according to the traditional method, second fermentation in bottle. This is followed by bottle maturation of approximately 36 months, and only then was it disgorged, corked and labelled.
Tasting Note - This wine shows a vibrant intensity yet remains elegant and fine in style. It allures with vivid green apple, slight perfume and berry aromas followed with hints of yeastiness and brioche that comes to life when the fine mousse explodes on the surface. The expected bright acidity is balanced with a tangy finish, concluded with a fresh floral note. Delicious and versatile.
Leonardslee Brut Rosé 2021
Vineyard - A sheltered, south facing slope, with silty loam topsoil and silty clay loam subsoil. The vines are planted 2.1m x 1m in a north south row direction with a 6 wire VSP trellising system.
Winemaking - 56% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinotage. The grapes were hand harvested in the cool of the morning. The bunches were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. Only free run juice fermented in stainless steel was used in the final blend to create its delicate taste and originality. Full malolactic fermentation was done on the base wine to soften the 2021’s natural acidity, adding a creamy texture and depth. The final blend was bottled where it then underwent according to the traditional method second fermentation in bottle. This is followed by bottle maturation of approximately 36 months, and only then was it disgorged, corked and labelled.
Tasting Notes - Rose gold in colour it shows prominent aromas of red berries, Turkish Delight and pomegranate with undertones of violets on the nose. The palate is seductively fresh & persistent with a lingering aftertaste of strawberry, nougat & sliced grapefruit. The mousse is fine and soft, leaving the taste buds with a tantalising sensation.
Leonardslee Blanc de Blancs 2020
Vineyard - A sheltered, south facing slope, with silty loam topsoil and silty clay loam subsoil. The vines are planted 2.1m x 1m in a north south row direction with a 6 wire VSP trellising system.
Winemaking – 100% Chardonnay, the grapes were hand harvested into bins in the cool of the morning. They were then whole-bunch pressed into part stainless steel and French oak barrels (25%). Selected yeast was used for primary fermentation with no malolactic fermentation allowed. Using only wine from free-run juice the final blend was bottled where it then underwent, according to the traditional method second fermentation in bottle. This is followed by bottle maturation of approximately 48 months, and only then was it disgorged, corked and labelled.
Tasting note - This complex and indulgent sparkling wines shows clarity of fruit on the nose. Hints of lime are accompanied by aromas of toasted bread and hazelnut. The palate is creamy and textured with an explosive acidity and lasting, elegant finish.