Lester Aldridge has advised the Joint Administrators of Ridgeview Estate Winery Limited on the successful sale of the business and its assets to QBRidge Limited.
Ridgeview, a pioneering English sparkling wine producer based in Ditchling, Sussex, has been acquired for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1995, the business has established a strong domestic and international reputation for traditional method sparkling wines and has received multiple industry awards.
Philip Harris and Neville Side of FRP Advisory were appointed as Joint Administrators on 22 September 2025 after the business experienced financial pressures linked to rising costs and working capital constraints. They continued to trade the company through administration until the sale completed on 11 February 2026.
All employees have transferred to the purchaser, securing jobs and ensuring continuity of operations. The Ridgeview brand and estate will continue to operate under new ownership and it remains business as usual for customers, suppliers and partners.
QBRidge Limited will own and operate Ridgeview, supported by a leadership team of beverage industry specialists with over 100 years of combined experience in revitalising brands and driving sustainable growth.
Philip Harris, partner at FRP and Joint Administrator of Ridgeview, said:
“Ridgeview is a flagship name in English sparkling wine, with a proud heritage and longstanding relationships across the industry.
“From the outset, our priority was to safeguard the business and its team while exploring options to bring in new investment. The sale to QBRidge marks a significant step forward, preserving jobs, ensuring continuity for customers and suppliers, and providing a stable foundation for the future.
“We are particularly thankful to the staff, suppliers and partners who showed considerable patience and commitment throughout the process; their support was instrumental in enabling this positive outcome.”
Lester Aldridge advised the administrators throughout the appointment, supporting ongoing trading matters and the sale of the business.
Rebecca Walker, Partner at Lester Aldridge, said:
“Ridgeview is a well-established name within the English wine sector and we are pleased to have supported the administrators with their ongoing trading of the business and to have helped to facilitate a smooth transition to new ownership. The sale to QBRidge provides a positive outcome for employees, customers and the wider supply chain, and we are delighted to have played a part in securing the future of such an important Sussex brand.”
Gregg Ainsworth, the incoming chief executive of Ridgeview, said:
“Ridgeview is a truly exceptional brand with an outstanding reputation for quality and innovation. We see enormous potential in the business, and this acquisition reflects our confidence in both the existing team and the long-term opportunity for English sparkling wine. We are excited to help the Ridgeview brand realise that potential and support its ambitions for the future.”
About FRP
FRP Advisory Trading Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of FRP Advisory Group plc, is one of the UK’s largest independent business advisory firms. With more than 800 employees, including 108 partners, FRP provides corporate restructuring, corporate finance, forensic services, financial advisory and debt advisory expertise across 33 locations in the UK, Cyprus and the Isle of Man.
About Lester Aldridge
Lester Aldridge is a full-service law firm with offices in London, Southampton and Bournemouth. The firm advises clients across the UK and internationally on corporate restructuring, distressed real estate, insolvency and complex corporate transactions. Its Restructuring and Insolvency team works closely with administrators, lenders and stakeholders to deliver pragmatic and commercially focused solutions supported by deep sector expertise.
Pictured: Rebecca Walker, Partner in the Restructuring and Insolvency team at Lester Aldridge