— About Leonardslee

It is, quite literally, a family affair

Same family, same winemaker, two extraordinary estates, two hemispheres. From a dream on a South African lagoon to a Sussex valley this is the Streeter story.

Penny Streeter OBE

Founder & CEO

—Founder & CEO

A modern-day Cinderella tale

Born in Zimbabwe, raised in England, and at home on both the South African coast and in West Sussex, Penny Streeter OBE is the driving force behind the family's wine and hospitality ventures. Once living in homeless accommodation, her journey from humble beginnings to a prestigious English sparkling wine estate is, by any measure, extraordinary.

"I'm just a normal person who set out to try and provide for her family," she says. "That was all I ever wanted to do. But it has been a remarkable journey and for it to culminate here, at the beautiful gardens of Leonardslee, looking out across the vineyards as we taste our wine for the first time, is very special."

In 2013 she found Benguela Cove at Walker Bay; West Sussex came next, with Mannings Heath in 2016 and Leonardslee in 2018. The same obsession with quality runs through every corner of the estates.

Adam Streeter

The Next Chapter

—Leonardslee Estate

Six thousand miles, and creative tension

Penny's son Adam is based in Sussex and oversees the whole Leonardslee estate, bringing the same obsession with quality to every corner of it. He has built a programme of concerts, illuminations and events, and manages the day-to-day running of the estate.

"She is an amazing entrepreneur," Adam says, "and it's been an incredible experience sharing her journey acquiring two estates and creating two outstanding hospitality venues and vineyards." Being separated by 6,000 miles during lockdown had its challenges; as Penny notes, "it's been good for his decision-making abilities."

"We don't always agree," Penny admits. "In fact, we have some quite strong disagreements over operational plans and details. But I like to think of it as creative tension from this, we make good decisions most of the time, and have made incredible progress."

—A Family Affair

The people behind every bottle

Co-owner & Partner

Nick Rea

Beside Penny through all of it co-owner and partner across the hospitality businesses, present from the first day in West Sussex and behind every decision since.

Retail Manager

Beth Streeter

Adam's wife, doing an amazing job as retail manager at Leonardslee. "It's so important to have someone you can rely on, to talk things through."

Cellar Master

Johann Fourie

Winemaker across both estates and Diners Club Winemaker of the Year 2015 the constant thread linking Walker Bay and the Weald.

MD & Head Viticulturist

Barry Anderson

Managing Director of Mannings Heath Golf Club & Leonardslee Vineyards.

  • Same family, same winemaker, two extraordinary estates, two hemispheres. It is, quite literally, our story.
    Benguela Cove & Leonardslee

Two estates. One family story.

From the Sussex countryside to the shores of the Bot River Lagoon, Leonardslee and Benguela Cove are united by a shared passion for wine, hospitality and creating memorable experiences.

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