Bubble Britannia: Fizz Without Footprint

The world is getting serious about its environmental impact. From carbon footprints to compostable everything, sustainability has become less of a buzzword and more of a battle cry. And while we’ve all made peace with our soggy paper straws and guilt-tripped ourselves into separating the recycling, thankfully, the English wine industry is positively fizzing with eco-innovation. And there’s one vineyard that deserves special attention in this regard: Silverhand Estate.

Tucked away in the Kent countryside, Silverhand isn’t just talking the talk, but planting, grazing, and regenerating the land. Covering an area of a whopping 900 acres (yes, you read that right), the estate holds the title of the UK’s largest single organic vineyard — and the first to achieve carbon-negative status (no offsetting needed, thank you very much). In 2023, they recorded a carbon balance of -1.4 tonnes of CO₂e, thanks to their farm-first, science-backed, full-circle approach to sustainability.

That impressive carbon-negative status isn’t just a stat on a spreadsheet — it’s the result of hands-in-the-soil, boots-in-the-vineyard commitment, which is baked into everything they do. Their rare-breed Jacob and Romney sheep act as four-legged lawnmowers, grazing between vines to keep growth in check and naturally fertilise the soil (bless them). Meanwhile, a herd of English Longhorn cattle help regenerate pastures by breaking up the soil and encouraging new growth. The vineyard itself is a patchwork of wildflower meadows, hedgerows, woodland and vines — a more biodiverse haven than monoculture monocline. And the result of all that is happier wildlife, healthier vines, and — lucky for us — really excellent wine.

Specialising in English sparkling wine, Silverhand produces both traditional method cuvées (aged on the lees for that biscuity, toasty richness we all know and love) and a duo of Charmat method bottlings under their “Silver Reign” label. Quick detour: Unlike the traditional approach, where the bubbles develop inside each bottle, the Charmat method sees the wine undergo its second fermentation in a pressurised stainless-steel tank to achieve a fresher, fruit-forward style of fizz that’s all about immediate, joyful drinking.

Silver Reign, their white Charmat, is a beautifully crisp sparkler with notes of elderflower, pear and citrus — the kind of wine that begs to be sipped al fresco with friends and maybe a block of good cheese. Its sibling, Silver Reign Rosé, is made with 100% Pinot Noir and delivers all the rhubarb crumble, apple and lemon drizzle charm you never knew you needed in a glass. It’s wine that’s fun, without compromising on quality, which, let’s be honest, is harder to find than it should be. And, perhaps most impressively, it proves that great sparkling wine doesn’t need to come with air miles and carbon baggage.

What’s especially comforting, for me, as a full-on vegetarian with a borderline romantic relationship with my reusable water bottle and a habit of picking up litter on country walks, is the fact that same easy-drinking charm is backed by a serious sustainability game. From the soil to the cellar, every decision at Silverhand is shaped by their commitment to doing things the right way — whether that’s farming organically, bottling locally, or running the whole show on renewable energy.

Even their motto pulls no punches: Drink English. Drink Local. Drink Sustainably. Finally, a mantra I can get behind without feeling like I’m trading ethics for enjoyment.

So there you have it. Silverhand is showing us how sustainability and serious wine can go hand in hand — without losing the joy, the flavour, or the fizz. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a bottle of Silver Reign Rosé and a bag of Kent Crisps calling my name. It’s what I call planet-friendly pleasure.

P.S. If you are curious about English fizz (and frankly, you should be), you’re in the right place. I specialise in all things English wine — from under-the-radar bottles to vineyards doing things differently. Follow along on Instagram @_winerocks_ or visit my https://www.winerocks.co.uk/ to sip smarter, discover the newest releases, and connect with the stories behind the labels. Got a favourite English fizz I should try? Drop me a note — I’m always up for a chat over a glass.