Two businesses are toasting a deal which will see English sparkling wine from Dorset available to more restaurants and outlets across the county.

Templar Wines, Dorset’s largest independent wine merchant, is to supply products from Langham Wine Estate to its hospitality trade customers.

The Poole-based company, which was founded in 2008, currently supplies more than 530 different types of wines to over 150 outlets during the course of a year.

They include independent restaurants, hotels, pubs, bars, venues, event organisers and related businesses.

It also has 472 wines on its retail website.

Deliveries are made directly from its Witney Road depot every weekday to businesses and restaurants.

The initial 12 month agreement with Langham Wine Estate covers all of its English sparkling wines.

They include Classic Cuvée, Rosé, Classic Cuvée Reserve, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs.

The wines are produced in the traditional method.

Previously Langham Wine Estate supplied 35 outlets in Dorset directly.

Max Bracher, Managing Director, Templar Wines, said: “We were going to begin in April but, due to the ongoing pandemic, a date will be announced in the future when the hospitality sector reopens so customers will be able to enjoy all the Langham favourites in their favourite restaurants.

“It is an ideal fit for us because we undertake regular deliveries to customers along the south coast, many of which also stocked Langham wines, creating both logical and environmental synergy.

“Langham Estate has become one of the leading winegrowers in the UK, having won various awards.

“It makes our portfolio stronger and enables the trade to offer an award-winning, local English wine for their customers.”

Justin Langham, Managing Director, Langham Wine Estate, said: “I’ve known Max for several years and we’re proud to announce this official association for the hospitality and leisure sector.

“We firmly believe it will take our wines out to the local on trade, thanks to their connections, and we hope the relationship will continue to flourish for many years.”

Located east of Dorchester at Crawthorne, Langham Wine Estate’s 30-acre, south-facing vineyard was planted in 2009 with a mixture of Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier.

The business prides itself in crafting terroir-driven sparkling wines using grapes only grown upon its vineyard.

Langham Wine Estate includes a cafe and tasting room which is provisionally due to re-open in July, subject to Covid-19 rules.

Templar Wines primarily serves Dorset and the New Forest.

The deal with Langham Wine Estate will enable hospitality customers to acquire more frequent deliveries of smaller quantities, allowing them to carry less stock and run less risk of running out.

Max said the lockdown had resulted in the restaurant and hospitality side of Templar Wines’ business effectively shutting down over the last six weeks.

However, wine sales to the public had been “brilliant”, running about five or six times higher than normal.

“We’ve been very visible on social media, such as Instagram and Facebook, with about 100 new ‘likes’ from local people a week which has been a positive aspect.

“It’s a worrying time and, without doubt, there will be a need for government support for the sector for some time into the future.

“I would urge everyone to continue supporting, and using, local suppliers and producers. It makes such a difference,” he added.