Sussex has a warm climate and soil types similar to Champagne. Champagne lies on the 49th parallel north while the Sussex Weald lies on the 51st parallel north. Sussex has many south-facing slopes, which are suitable for growing the grape varieties found in sparkling wine, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Peter was a pioneer of English winemaking, planting his small six-acre vineyard in 1974. In that time he learnt much about growing grapes in a difficult place, "I’ve come to appreciate that the best wine is made in the vineyard. The winemaker’s job is to let good grapes express themselves naturally."

Each year Peter made two cuvées, one from Seyval Blanc and the other from Chardonnay and Pinots. Both where named for close friends.

Seyval blanc is a hybrid wine grape variety used to make white wines. Its vines ripen early, are productive and are suited to fairly cool climates like England and the Finger Lakes, USA. It contains some non-vinifera genes and as such it is outlawed in the EU for wine production.

Seyval Blanc wines have a characteristic citrus note in the aroma and taste, and a pleasing minerality.