Following the sale of Bolney Wine Estate in January 2022, and after 16 months of a successful transition, Sam Linter has decided to move on to explore new opportunities and challenges, with her last day in the business being 5th May.

Sam remained in the business as Chairperson to ensure the smooth integration of the Estate into Freixenet Copestick. As part of Henkell Freixenet, Freixenet Copestick was attracted to the integrity, quality, and heritage of the Bolney brand, so it was important for Sam to remain in the business for the first year following the sale to ensure the vision and ethos of Bolney was embedded and retained for the long-term.

Sam Linter, whose parents Rodney and Janet Pratt founded Bolney in 1972, commented “I feel I have successfully guided Bolney Wine Estate in becoming part of Freixenet Copestick and the Henkell Freixenet Group, I am excited by their plans for the future of the business, which closely follow the aspirations I had. However, it is time for me to move on and start my next challenge, knowing I have left Bolney Wine Estate and my family’s legacy in safe hands.”

James Davis, MW, will remain as General Manager of Bolney Wine Estate, a position he has held since October 2022. Over the past six months, James has helped to steer Bolney through a period of substantial growth, with 2022 seeing a 16% increase from 2021. This growth is set to continue throughout 2023 and beyond with further investment in the Estate, including an expansion of the hospitality and retail area – due to open in late Summer – which will increase visitor capacity by 120%.

Robin Copestick, Managing Director of Freixenet Copestick, added: “Sam has built a great brand and business, and we are proud to be taking Bolney forward into its future. The business has made great progress in the first 16 months of our ownership, and we are indebted to Sam for her very professional approach to the integration process. I have no doubt that Bolney is on the right trajectory to be one of the very top English wineries.”

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