Exton Park Vineyard has announced that Robin McMillan will retire as Chief Executive Officer, following a period of strategic development that has strengthened the estate’s positioning within the growing English sparkling wine sector. Robin has been asked by the Board to undertake a search for his successor to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Robin has enjoyed a 40-year career in the wine trade and business leadership, most notably stints at Berry Bros. & Rudd, The Wine Society and Decanter, culminating in his position as CEO at Exton Park Vineyard, a role he has held since 2022. During his tenure he has overseen a period of transformation at the Hampshire estate, refining its positioning as a premium single-estate producer of English sparkling wine. His leadership has included providing clarity on the business strategy and direction, the launch of Exton Hall as a hospitality and visitor destination, the strengthening of the estate’s commercial, financial and governance foundations and more recently securing a distribution agreement with Mentzendorff.
Commenting on his decision to retire, Robin McMillan said: “I must be mad as this is a truly wonderful business with a dedicated and passionate team but the time is right for me after 40 amazing years in wine industry. It has been a privilege to lead Exton Park Vineyard, the English sparkling wine sector has developed enormously in recent years and Exton Park has established a clear identity as a premium estate-driven producer that is unafraid to experiment and take risks to drive innovation. I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that I am leaving the foundations in place for the next phase of the estate’s development. Excited too to be recruiting my replacement, there has been considerable interest both from the UK and abroad, testament to the strength of Exton Park but also to the reputation of English Sparkling wine internationally.
