Welcome to the Club!
English Wine Club is the private tasting room and social society for the friends and acquaintances of Robert Downer, an avid and early collector of sparkling wines from England.
Now based in New York City, Robert has been collecting English wines for over a decade - long before the current boom in viticulture in the Southern counties of Great Britain.
With a personal collection spanning several hundred bottles of some of the rarest and earliest vintages, Robert's collection is a trophy of the genre, and continues to expand with the times.
Recognising that many of his rarest and most valuable wines have reached peak maturity, Robert now invites connoisseurs and curious novices to join him and 'drink down the cellar!'
Welcome Friends
The format of English Wine Club is simple. Several times a month Robert hosts five friends, alongside a curated selection of wines from his collection. Mostly English wines, mostly sparkling wines, but also with some special bottles personally acquired from the cellars of vineyards around the world.
Learn about the story of English wine, the vineyards and winemakers that pioneered the category, and why some of the largest French champagne houses are now buying up acres of Southern England. Learn what goes into making a sparkling wine, and the differences between varieties and vintages.
This isn't a club for wine snobs. Events last around an hour - allowing you to make dinner reservations - but may sometimes last longer depending on the company and conversation. We begin with a take on the Churchill Martini, and journey onwards with a glass of each of the featured bottles of fine fizz.
Events are bookable in advance and all guests require advance approval to ensure the safety and discretion of English Wine Club. A token contribution toward the cost of each evening is payable in person. English Wine Club is a personal and private social club. No alcohol is sold or charged for at events.
Fête Blanche / White PartyTue, May 13
First to Best: The Last Ever MeonhillTue, Jul 15
Final Farewell: The 19 Year Old NapaFri, Aug 15
Gusbourne: Vintage VerticalsTue, Apr 15
Boutique Vintages: England v FranceTue, Feb 11
Black & White: Rare RidgeviewTue, Dec 17
Old Money / New MoneyTue, Nov 26
Fall Hues: First Ever VintagesTue, Nov 12
England v FranceThu, Jul 11
SPAIN Special: Cava CodorníuWed, May 29
May Day: Lords & LadiesWed, May 01
Genesis: Hambledon VarietalsFri, Apr 26
Wine & Design
Robert Downer is a Founding Patron of the Design Museum in London and an equally passionate collector of modern and contemporary art and design.
English Wine Club takes place at Robert's New York City home, in the former 1920's headquarters of the Chase Manhattan Bank in the Financial District.
It may not come a surprise therefore, that in a building that still houses it's original bank vaults, Robert's collections of rare wines and design assemble.
Cork furniture including surfaces from British designer Ilse Crawford CBE sit alongside hundreds of used champagne corks that fill modernist planters.
Hand-cut and hand-blown crystal from Lord David Linley's eponymous design firm and rare European stemware elevate the English Wine Club experience.
Address details are sent in advance on confirmation of guest/event approval. For security, all building guests are announced. Photography is not permitted.