Porsche Cars GB partners with Hattingley Valley Wines
Porsche Cars GB has entered into a new partnership with leading British winery, Hattingley Valley. The Hampshire-based eco-friendly winery will join Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Porsche Sprint Challenge GB as part of a two-year agreement. Hattingley Valley’s award-winning sparkling wines will be used for driver podium ceremonies, while a range of wines will also be offered as part of the hospitality available across race weekends.
Established in 2008, Hattingley Valley has quickly risen to success. Its unique winemaking process has been recognised throughout the industry, being awarded over 100 medals, 13 trophies, and Best in Class results for its English sparkling wines including a recent Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition for its Classic Reserve Brut NV. From its state-of-the-art facility near Alresford, grapes are harvested by hand as part of a grape-to-glass process that can take between 18 months and seven years. Today, Hattingley Valley wines are available throughout the UK and globally in a further 16 countries.
The spraying of sparkling wine has become synonymous with motor sport, with this post-race podium tradition dating back almost 60 years when American driver and only Grand Prix winner for Porsche, Dan Gurney, popped the cork at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967. Gurney's inspiration came from an inadvertent spraying which occurred during the class victory celebrations of Porsche 906 drivers Jo Siffert and Colin Davis in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. The custom has since become a sporting ritual all over the world, including during Carrera Cup GB and Sprint Challenge GB podium celebrations.
Alongside supporting this time-honoured podium tradition, a selection of still and sparkling Hattingley Valley wines will be offered to guests of Porsche at its two dedicated hospitality Race Centres. Over the course of a season, Porsche hosts hundreds of guests, including those invited by Porsche Centres each race weekend. Guests are offered refreshments across all three days as part of the Porsche hospitality programme.
In addition to its commitment to supply the Porsche paddock in 2023 and 2024, Hattingley Valley will also provide its wines for the Porsche Night of Motorsport, the awards ceremony that traditionally takes place at the end of each racing season. For the first time, this year's event will unite champions in all three Porsche Cars GB championships; Carrera Cup GB, Sprint Challenge GB and Esports Carrera Cup GB.
An early adopter of solar power, Hattingley Valley has invested in state-of-the-art equipment and technology such as a sustainable approach to waste across its 10 hectare (25 acre) vineyard. Porsche GB now uses Hiperflo R20 fuel in its racing cars, with 20% renewable components, 15% second generation ethanol, and 5% renewable hydrocarbons.
Lee Wilford, Marketing Director, Porsche Cars Great Britain: "Hattingley Valley is not just a distinguished winery, it is a British business that has rapidly established itself through a clear vision, something we at Porsche GB can identify with making this partnership especially attractive. Just as our single-marque racing championships lead on the track, Hattingley Valley sits at the pinnacle of the ever-strengthening position of English sparkling wines, Porsche Cars GB is proud to welcome them into our paddock."
Simon Robinson, Founder and Owner of Hattingley Valley adds, “Our shared values make Porsche Cars GB the perfect partner for Hattingley Valley, elevating life’s moments and building a strong association with the pinnacle of motor sport. The synergies between the brands were a big factor in the decision to partner together. Both brands exemplify the traditions of craftsmanship and engineering from the Germany and UK, united in passion and flair as they pursue a life well lived – showcasing that passion and drive are the core tenants of this mantra.”
Porsche Cars GB is currently enjoying its biggest season of racing yet. For the first time, Carrera Cup GB and Sprint Challenge GB appear exclusively as part of the TOCA package with over 40 racers competing in support of the British Touring Car Championship. On four occasions this season both championships appear on the same weekend, creating the biggest Porsche racing event in British motorsport history with five races in total.
Follow the latest news directly from Porsche Motorsport GB via Twitter and Instagram – @PorscheRaces_GB – where users can share experiences via the hashtags #CarreraCupGB and #SprintChallengeGB.
Follow the latest Hattingley Valley news at www.hattingleyvalley.com and @hattingleywines.