Borders Bubbly

Sparkling Wine from the Scottish Borders

We are always looking for new and innovative ways to make the most of our land. In 2016, we planted our first 1,000 vines on a former potato field to explore the potential for vineyard production in Scotland. The result? Borders Bubbly – a local Scottish sparkling wine, made right here in the Scottish Borders.

A Unique Vineyard in the Borders

With a background in growing, we saw an opportunity to trial grape-growing as part of our diversification strategy. As climate patterns change, we believed that vines could thrive in Scotland – and we were right.

By experimenting with different grape varieties, we have successfully produced a light, fruity, and very bubbly sparkling wine. This project combines our agricultural expertise with a passion for sustainability and local production, adding an exciting new chapter to Charlesfield’s story.

From Concept to Bottle

Borders Bubbly started as a trial project, but after proving that quality wine can be produced in the Scottish Borders, we are now looking at next steps for expansion. Our journey so far has included:

  • Planting and cultivating 1,000 vines to assess what grows best in our climate.
  • Learning viticulture and wine-making techniques through the renowned Viticulture course at Plumpton College, East Sussex
  • Harvesting and producing our first batch of sparkling wine.
  • Exploring opportunities for a dedicated winery on the farm to scale up production.

The aim is to increase production, with more vines and improved facilities, to bring Scottish sparkling wine to a wider audience.

A Scottish Sparkling Wine, Grown on Open Farmland

Unlike vineyards in traditional wine regions, Borders Bubbly is produced on open farmland with no polytunnels or artificial growing environments.

With each new season, we continue refining our approach, learning from nature and experience. The next stage is to look at the potential for commercial production, building on what we have achieved so far.

The Future of Borders Bubbly

We are now considering how best to develop and scale Borders Bubbly. This includes:

  • Expanding the vineyard with more vines to increase production.
  • Converting existing farm buildings into a winery for on-site production.
  • Exploring partnerships to bring Borders Bubbly to a wider market.

This is an exciting journey, and we look forward to sharing more Scottish sparkling wine in the future!