Richmond Rugby Club Uncorks New Partnership with Nyetimber
Richmond Rugby Club has announced an exciting new partnership with Nyetimber, England’s leading sparkling wine producer, which will see the Sussex-based winery become the club’s Official Sparkling Wine Partner.
Under the agreement, Nyetimber sparkling wine will be available at the Richmond Athletic Ground by both the glass and the bottle, offering players, members and supporters the chance to toast matchdays, milestones and special occasions in style. In addition, a magnum of Nyetimber will be presented to the Player of the Match after every Men’s and Women’s first team fixture, adding a celebratory flourish to standout performances.
The partnership follows Nyetimber’s recent landmark announcement as an official partner of England Rugby — the first time the national governing body has been sponsored by an English sparkling wine producer. Richmond Rugby is proud to become the first domestic rugby club to partner with Nyetimber in the wake of that national collaboration.
Both organisations are united by a shared pioneering spirit and a rich sense of heritage. Richmond Rugby is one of the oldest rugby clubs in England and a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, while Nyetimber was the first English producer to plant the classic sparkling wine grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier exclusively for sparkling wine production.
A strong commitment to championing women in sport and industry further underpins the partnership. Richmond hosted the first Women’s International rugby match in 1986 and played a pivotal role in the founding of the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991. Today, Deborah Griffin, President of the RFU, serves as Richmond Rugby’s Club Secretary. At Nyetimber, winemaking has been led for nearly two decades by Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs, a trailblazer in the industry and the only woman to have twice been named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge.
As part of the partnership activation, Nyetimber will also serve as the Headline Supporter of Richmond’s Ladies Day event in March, celebrating the club’s proud heritage and ongoing commitment to the women’s game.
Commenting on the partnership, Phil White, Managing Director at Richmond Rugby, said the collaboration was a natural fit. “We are incredibly proud to welcome Nyetimber as our Official Sparkling Wine Partner at Richmond Rugby. As a club, we place huge value on heritage, quality and ambition, and Nyetimber embodies all three. To be the first domestic club to partner with Nyetimber following their landmark agreement with England Rugby is a fantastic endorsement of Richmond’s standing within the game. We’re excited to raise a glass with our members, supporters and partners throughout the season.”
Nyetimber owner and CEO Eric Heerema echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of community-level partnerships. “Following our partnership with England Rugby, we wanted to team up with a club to celebrate this fantastic sport at a local level. Richmond is the perfect partner for us, sharing the same pioneering spirit, historical record of ‘firsts’, and a constant strive for excellence. Rugby offers so many reasons for celebration, and we hope Richmond’s fans, players and spectators will enjoy raising a glass of Nyetimber to the many achievements of the game.”
The agreement marks another significant step in Richmond Rugby’s expanding commercial portfolio, aligning the club with one of England’s most respected luxury drinks brands while enhancing the matchday and hospitality experience at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
Founded nearly four decades ago, Nyetimber has built an international reputation for producing world-class English sparkling wine using 100% estate-grown grapes from vineyards across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Under the leadership of Eric Heerema and Cherie Spriggs, the brand has achieved global acclaim, including being named Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge in 2025 — the first non-Champagne wine ever to receive the honour.
