Chardonnay: A Masterclass

Join us at Danbury Ridge Wine Estate for an intimate masterclass led by John Atkinson MW, exploring Chardonnay through six wines from Champagne, Burgundy, Tasmania, Central Otago and Essex.

With just 10 places available, this is a rare opportunity to taste alongside one of the UK's most experienced wine professionals in an informal and highly focused setting.

Meet Master of Wine, John Atkinson

John Atkinson began his wine career in 1990 in Corsica, spending eight months as a stagiaire at Orenga de Gaffory in Patrimonio. He went on to become a Master of Wine in 1999, receiving both the Madame Bollinger Tasting Medal for the best blind tasting and the Villa Maria Prize for the best viticulture paper.

John's career has taken him around the world's great wine regions and into close collaboration with some of the industry's most respected producers, including Ridge Vineyards, Anne Gros, Armand Rousseau, Telmo Rodriguez, Alvaro Espinosa and Champagne Billecart-Salmon.

Alongside his practical work in vineyards and wineries, John has written and published peer-reviewed research on wine and wine marketing.

John has been closely involved with Danbury Ridge since 2018, bringing extensive experience of the world’s great vineyards and a deep understanding of viticulture and winemaking to his knowledge of the estate and its wines.

For this masterclass, John will explore how Chardonnay responds to place, climate and winemaking, and the different expressions these can produce.

The Wines
A six-wine tasting featuring:

• Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs, Champagne
• Danbury Ridge Solstice, Essex
• Danbury Ridge Spar Hill Chardonnay, Essex
• Tolpuddle Chardonnay, Tasmania
• Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay, Central Otago
• Charles Boigelot Monthélie, Burgundy

Limited to 10 guests.