Berry Bros. & Rudd and Simingtons have received approval from shareholders to acquire Hambledon.

The proposal received90% approval from shareholders and was declared "unconditional," triggering a mandatory purchase of the English wine producer. Lizzie Rudd, chairman of Berry Bros & Rudd, said, "We are delighted to confirm this exciting joint venture with Symington Family Estates.

Hambledon is the oldest commercial vineyard in England, with the first grape plantings in 1952.

Currently, it has 81 hectares of vineyards in Hampshire, where the same limestone soil types found in the Champagne region are located.

The estate has the capacity to produce over 500,000 bottles per year and has received numerous awards for the quality of its sparkling wine.

Johnny Symington, chairman of Symington Family Estates - the owner of brands such as Graham's, Dow's, Warre's, and Cockburn's, as well as table wines from the Douro - added: "We needed something truly special to be able to produce wine in a new country, as we have been making port and wine in Portugal for five generations. After a long analysis of the category of English sparkling wines, we are pleased to acquire one of the leading producers in partnership with Berry Bros & Rudd."

Berry Bros & Rudd is the oldest wine firm in the UK, founded in London in 1698.

Among his clients is the royal family.

The family wine estate manages a warehouse shop and a storage facility for fine wines in Hampshire, and it has been selling Hambledon wines for several years now.

“We are two family businesses that have been working together and being friends for many years,” said Lizzy Rudd. “We share the same values and ethics, and we are excited to collaborate to bring stability and growth to this business at a very interesting time for English sparkling wines.”

Johnny Symington highly praised the "fantastic terroir of Hampden" and said that "the quality of the wines is absolutely amazing."

He added: "We believe that this is a world-class sparkling wine that will play a leading role in developing English sparkling wines into a world-renowned exquisite wine."