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.

The grapes, most commonly Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier, are used to make several base wines that are assembled together to make Champagne, English Sparkling wine and other classic cuvée wines.

Champagne blends can also include Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Other appelations have rules about which grapes can be included.

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.