ONE of the largest vineyards in the country launched in style in Hampshire and is now fighting for national and international recognition.

Set among the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, Exton Park revealed its vineyard with views across the Meon Valley.

In 2003 the site stood at just 11 acres, but was taken over by businessman Malcolm Isaac in 2009, who acquired a further two acres in 2011 and 25 acres in 2013.

Now standing at 55 acres, the vineyard in Exton is one of the largest in the country, with the same climate that delights champagne producers just 80 miles across the Channel.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The launch welcomed wine experts and opinion formers, including Joe Wadsack of BBC Food and Drink and Gerard Basset, master sommelier and owner of Hotel Terravina in the New Forest.

The guests sipped their drinks in the sunshine and a spokesperson for Exton Park said: "It was a perfect start to what is hoped will become a world-famous name in the realms of English wine."

Mr Isaac introduced his hand-picked team - renowned French winemaker Corinne Seely and viticulturist Fred Langdale, who has been running the vineyard since 2008.

Mr Langdale said: "It is my aim to make the finest sparkling wine in England. And I believe we have the people, the unique soils and the best equipment to do so."

Over the past 10 years Exton Park has planted the classic sparkling wine grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Since 2011 there has also been a state-of-the-art winery in use and a solar powered temperature controlled cellar store for bottles to mature.

In the last month the first three wines have picked up five coveted silver and bronze medals in the International Wine Challenge and the Decanter World Wine Awards - two of the top competitions in the world.

The International Wine Challenges, now in its 32nd year, sees every wine blind judged for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage.

Throughout the rigorous judging process each medal-winning wine is tasted on three separate occasions by at least 10 different judges.

Ms Seely said the team are delighted to be recognised at such big-name competitions.

"We were thrilled to get recognition so early on," she said.

"It was a team effort, but it justifies Malcolm's faith in what we are already doing, and hoping to achieve over the next few years.

"Thanks to the complexity of the vineyard and its size we can to make all our wines from this single estate."

Mr Isaac bought Exton Park Vineyard in 2009. He was originally a watercress farmer and had built up Vitacress, Europe's largest supplier of bagged salads to supermarkets.

He said: "There was a rundown winery and all the grapes were being sold to Coates and Seely just up the road.

"They became our mentors and that's where I met Corinne, who was making their early vintages. I persuaded her to come and make wine for me instead.

"She agreed - but only if she could build a winery to her style!"