Douglas Jacobsohn learns the vine art of viticulture

As Featured in Trade Winds.

Douglas Jacobsohn, former Skuld chief executive, after hectic years, cultivating shipowners. Jacobsohn is picking the first harvest from his vineyard in East Sussex, southeast England.

Douglas co-owner of Busi Jacobsohn Wine Estate is looking forward to producing the first bottles of a great English Sparkling Wine.

The Swedish manager of a Norwegian protection-and-indemnity club and wife Susanna, originally planned to retire in southern Europe, but he relished the challenge of producing a champagne-style wine in the English countryside.

Douglas and Susanna planted over 18,000 vines in spring 2015, which include the champagne grape varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Douglas who describes his first career as the “most interesting and entertaining of industries”, is embarking on his second career as a vigneron with this insight from the poet Robert Frost: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”

The five-hectare vineyard — converted from former grazing pasture — is a family affair, with Jacobsohn spending most days in the fields ensuring the grapes are ripening well. Susanna looking after the business side, and sons Charles and Tom helping out where they can.

“The argument about whether English viticulture works is over,” declared Jacobsohn, who describes the estate as a vineyard run by wine enthusiasts for wine lovers.

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