Interview with Jonica Fox from Fox & Fox

To celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8^th March, this week we are interviewing women in the world of producing English sparkling wine.

Jonica Fox is owner of Fox & Fox.

Fox & Fox is a husband and wife team who are a boutique grower producer of award-winning English sparkling wines with vineyards in Mayfield, among rolling hills and woodlands of Sussex.

How did you become involved in the wine industry?

It was all Gerard’s idea, he was inspired by a glass of an English fizz at a London event in 2003…. In turn, he inspired me, supported me whilst I went to Plumpton to start to learn and helped me plant our first vines back in 2004. It completely changed my life and our lives together.

What has been your hardest obstacle to overcome in producing wine?

Actually – its finding time to do everything. I love all aspects of our lives as vine growers and wine producers but am a bit obsessive about doing things to the very best of our abilities, I need longer days to cram it all in.

What has been your proudest moment in the wine industry?

I am so proud to have won a Glass of Bubbly Trophy three year’s running. It’s not just the quality of the competition, it’s the repeated win reassuring me that we are keeping our quality standards consistently high. It’s a great shot of confidence for us.

Fox & Fox Midnight Dark Dry Rosé Brut 2011 won a trophy for Summer Days at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2019.

How do you see the future of English sparkling wine?

Happily full of more and more tempting choices, some brilliant wines from the established producers, some exciting wines from new producers and continuing innovation in grape variety selections and sparkling wine making styles.

Hard question, but do you have a favourite Fox & Fox sparkling wine?

That is a hard question as we have nine sparkling wines available at the moment. So just now I am excited about the first two 2015’s we’ll be releasing a little later this year ( Mosaic Brut 2015 and Essence Pure Chardonnay 2015), our new Limited Edition CV (Chairman’s VAT) Brut 2014 has almost stolen my heart but I think that at this minute, with the endless grindingly bleak weather, it’s our red-grape Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier wines that I reach out for, either Tradition Brut 2014 or Meunier Brut 2014 (the first Pinot Meunier ‘Blanc de Noirs’ in the UK I think.)

What is your favourite food pairing with one of your sparkling wines?

A plate of crisply friend mixed seafoods… garlicky parsley mayo and crusty bread.

Where’s the most memorable place you’ve enjoyed a Glass of Bubbly?

Standing with Gerard in our vineyard, the night before harvest, watching the hawks soar and the sun set, drinking a wine made from grapes picked 5 years before from the rows around us.