9 Must-Try English Wines for Every Occasion

Let’s make something clear: English wine is having a moment. Long gone are the days of politely saying “oh, it’s actually not bad!” - today’s bottles are bold, brilliant, and absolutely worthy of international attention.

Yes, we all know the flipside: English wine isn’t always cheap. With a young industry and relatively small yields, prices can feel a bit punchy - and that can make trying something new a bit of a gamble.

But here’s the good news: that’s changing. More and more producers are offering wines that are both excellent and affordable. We’ve rounded up nine bottles from across the country - from the chalky soils of the south to gold-medal winners in the north - that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to drink well. Most of them come in under £20, and not one breaks the £40 mark. So whether you’re after something crisp, creamy, sparkling or still, there’s plenty to get excited about - whatever your mood, budget, or dinner plans.

Three Choirs Stonebrook 2022/23 (Gloucestershire)

Back in 1973, Alan McKechnie decided his farm in Gloucestershire - tucked between hills and sheltered from the worst of the weather - might be just the place for growing vines. That’s how Three Choirs Vineyard got started, named after one of the UK’s oldest choral music festivals. 

Since then, their wines have racked up awards, travelled the world, and even made it into British Airways First Class. But these days, more and more bottles are staying right here at home, with growing demand from UK wine lovers. 

The team at Three Choirs say it’s the sandy soil that gives their wines a lovely fruit-forward character - and it definitely comes through in Stone Brook. It’s a blend of Siegerrebe and Solaris (grapes that love cooler climates), and it smells like a summer garden in full swing… with a tropical twist. Think lychee, pineapple, peach - surprising, but somehow it works.

Just when you’re floating off to warmer places, a zing of grapefruit, a hit of fresh-cut grass and a pinch of white pepper bring everything back into balance.

Try it with a mild curry or a goat’s cheese salad. It’s a great reminder that English wine isn’t just having a moment - it’s here to stay.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £11.00 Mix Six (£12.50 per bottle) - Majestic

Chapel Down Bacchus 2023 (Kent)

If Bacchus, the Roman god of wine had Instagram, this one would definitely be on his grid. Once a bit of an underdog, the Bacchus grape has been making waves in English vineyards lately - soaking up more sunshine (thanks, climate change?) and growing in confidence.

Chapel Down’s Classic Bacchus brings together fruit grown in Kent, Essex and East Sussex - three regions with their own microclimates and terroirs. The soils here range from chalk to clay, which helps give the wine its crisp texture and vibrant aromatics.

It’s also a more sustainable choice. Bacchus ripens relatively early, reducing the need for energy-intensive vineyard interventions. Many producers (including Chapel Down) are now moving toward lower-impact farming and greener bottling practices. 

In the glass, it’s a pale straw colour. On the nose: gooseberry, elderflower and a hint of nettle. Take a sip and you’ll find crisp green apple, a twist of lemon zest, and a slice of sun-warmed melon. Bright, clean and expressive - a snapshot of the English countryside in late spring.

The finish is fresh, zippy, and lingers like a long summer afternoon.

Pro tip: take it out of the fridge 15–20 minutes before pouring. Pairs beautifully with seasonal veg, herby fish dishes, or anything fresh from the farmers’ market.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £12.50 - Waitrose

Simpsons Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 2023 (Kent)

About twenty years ago, Charles and Ruth Simpson were happily making wine in the sunny south of France - but then came a change in the wind (or maybe just the English weather calling), and they decided to become part of the English wine revolution. 

Their estate is in one of Kent’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The winery is nestled between two vineyards, both within walking distance, which means the grapes get the VIP treatment from vine to vat.

This is the more wallet-friendly rosé from the same winemakers whose Railway Hill Rosé was crowned Best Still Rosé at the 2024 WineGB Awards. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this rosé is a bright, expressive showcase of local terroir. It kicks off with fresh aromas of strawberries and pink grapefruit, then opens up into juicy watermelon, peaches, and tart cranberries sprinkled with a hint of savoury herbs.

The colour alone is calling out for a plate of salmon - grilled or smoked, your choice. That said, it’d pair just as nicely with roast chicken or a herby couscous salad.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £12.50 -  Waitrose

Silverhand Estate Sparkling Brut (Kent)

For a while now, English sparkling wines have been making headlines for beating Champagne in blind tastings - but they haven’t always been easy on the wallet. That’s what makes Silverhand Estate Sparkling Brut stand out: it offers impressive quality at a price that won’t make you wince.

Based in Kent, Silverhand is the UK’s largest single-estate organic vineyard and also the first in the country to achieve a carbon-negative status. Rare-breed sheep roam freely between the vines, helping fertilise the land and break up the soil naturally. The estate sits on the same chalky, flinty soils as Champagne’s Côte des Blancs - ideal for growing the classic sparkling varieties. 

This bottle blends the traditional Champagne grapes - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It’s made using the Charmat method (just like Prosecco), keeping the price reasonable without compromising on flavour.

On the nose, there’s citrus, pear and honeysuckle with a soft creamy touch. It’s not bone-dry, but has lovely refreshing acidity. Think pear tart with lemon zest and juicy white peaches on the palate. A perfect partner for a seaside picnic - preferably with fish and chips.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £13.00 Mix Six (£16.00 per bottle) - Majestic

Stopham Estate Pinot Gris 2023 (West Sussex)

What does Formula 1 have in common with English Pinot Gris? Quite a lot, actually, if you ask Simon Woodhead. Before turning his talents to winemaking in 2007, Simon designed parts for race cars. Now, he’s steering things in a slightly more bucolic direction, crafting wines in the rolling hills of West Sussex with a medieval church watching over the vineyards.

At Stopham Estate, sustainability is built into everything they do. The team avoid over-cultivating the soils, never spray herbicides, and let wild grasses flourish between the vines.

Their Pinot Gris is a fantastic snapshot of how English still wines are evolving, winning multiple awards over the years - including a Bronze at the 2024 Independent English Wine Awards. Once crisp and bracing, it’s now blossomed into something with more complexity and elegance. You’ll find floral aromas wrapped around tropical fruit, ripe melon, and a gentle hint of ginger spice. You could even cellar it for a couple of years, but it’s already drinking beautifully.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.3%
Find here: £18.00 Mix Six (£21.00 per bottle) Majestic

Dunesforde Pinot Gris 2022 (Yorkshire)

Who says good wine only comes from the south? Let’s head up north to the Yorkshire Vale to meet a wine that’s been turning heads - and winning trophies. Dunesforde’s 2022 Pinot Gris scooped Gold and the Best Single Varietal White Wine Trophy at the 2024 WineGB Awards. Not bad for a family-run estate that only released its first wines in 2019.

The Townsend family is on a mission to prove cool-climate wines can be exceptional -  and the long, warm summer of 2022 gave them just the opportunity. Alongside their sparkling wines, they crafted this still Pinot Gris, and the results are delicious: a vibrant, textured wine that’s as moreish as it is sophisticated.

Imagine ripe pears and apricots drizzled with honey, a flicker of citrus peel, and a mouthfeel that’s silky yet bright. Serve it chilled, but not straight from the fridge - let those delicate aromatics shine. It’s a dream with chicken tikka masala, pad Thai, or a wedge of Manchego cheese.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £25 - Dunesdorde

Lyme Bay Winery Chardonnay 2022 (Devon)

Lyme Bay is definitely one to watch. Just a few weeks ago, this Devon-based winery did what no other English producer had managed before: it scooped National Trophies for both Best English Red and Best English White at the 2025 International Wine Challenge. Not bad for a team tucked away in the picturesque Axe Valley, a stone’s throw from the Jurassic Coast.

They’ve been at it for over 30 years, now sourcing top-quality grapes from the best soils and microclimates across the country. This Chardonnay, the younger sibling of their award-winning white, is made from fruit picked in early October from four vineyards in Essex, including Crouch Valley, which winemaker consultant Clem Yates MW calls “the best place in the UK for still wines right now.”

“We’re not chasing Burgundy - we’re chasing excellence,” Clem says. And this wine is heading in that direction: rich, creamy, and structured enough to age for a good few years. Expect grilled peach with a squeeze of lemon, orange marmalade, and a little toasted almond on the finish. Lees ageing and gentle oak give it body without heaviness, and a bright acidity keeps everything in balance. A top pick for pairing with creamy pasta, roast white fish, or vegetable risotto.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £24.99 Lyme Bay

Balfour Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023 (Kent)

There was a time when “English wine” basically meant “English sparkling.” But still wines are gaining ground - and when it comes to reds, Pinot Noir is leading the charge. Tricky, temperamental, and totally irresistible to winemakers, it’s the grape so many want to master. But only a few succeed.

The team at Balfour are veterans of the English wine game. They work with Burgundian clones - in other words, the good stuff. Grown on clay soils, this Pinot channels the light, silky character of cool-climate New World styles, but it’s developed a personality all its own.

The nose is lively with red cherry, raspberry and wildflowers. On the palate, you’ll find deeper forest berries and a whisper of woodland after rain. A light touch of oak (around 8%) brings subtle structure and a touch of peppery spice. Winemaker Fergus Elias suggests pairing it with barbecued lamb rubbed in Moroccan spices, moussaka, or roasted aubergine. It’s also a dream with a confit duck.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £30 - Balfour Winery

Leonardslee Vintage Brut Rosé 2021 (Sussex)

Each year, a barn swallow makes the journey from Sussex to Africa and back again. No wonder it’s a fitting emblem for Leonardslee, the UK’s first golf & wine estate, founded by a family with deep South African winemaking roots.

The estate brought in South African expertise too: winemaker Johann Fourie and viticulturist Barry Anderson now lead the charge in the vineyard. The focus here is firmly on sustainability - even the on-site restaurant has earned a Michelin Green Star.

This 2021 vintage rosé brut, a medal winner at the 2024 WineGB Awards, adds a South African twist to the classic blend too: 10% Pinotage, grown right here in English soil. Grapes are handpicked at dawn and whole-bunch pressed, with the wine spending 30 months on lees.

The result? A sparkling rosé that evokes a spring orchard in full bloom, with raspberry, cherry, and a faint whiff of sea salt over rose-flavoured Turkish delight. Pair it with ripe strawberries and soft cheeses like Brie or Robiola. Fewer than 7,000 bottles were made - so if you see one, grab it while you can.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £38 - Leonardslee

Right now is the perfect time to get tasting. Plan a trip to a local vineyard (there are more than you think), explore a new bottle or two, and raise a glass to the brilliant producers shaping the future of English wine. With every harvest, it gets more exciting - and the best bit? This is just the beginning.

For more wine suggestions, head over to our dedicated wine page here.

Your Wine Travel Guide to Kent

Kent is a county in southeast England known colloquially as the Garden of England thanks to its historical importance for growing cereal crops, hops and fruit. With the increase in vineyard plantings however, things are changing quickly and Kent has already become one of the leading areas for top-quality wines in the UK. Below, we discuss why this is, give you the big names to look out for and suggest what else you can do while you’re there...

Despite evidence dating back to Roman times showing that winemaking practices have been common in England for over 2000 years, the buzz surrounding the exciting rise of English wine is actually pretty recent. The big success story here is sparkling wine made in the traditional method (now officially known over here as the ‘classic method’), with ‘new’ grape varieties i.e. Chardonnay. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; the grape varieties famous for making the great sparkling wines of Champagne. Before this practice took off, Kent and the rest of England were working more with still wines made with the aromatic, Germanic varieties that did better in the cold, such as Madeleine Angevine, Rondo and Bacchus. 

Why is Kent wine doing so well?

So why the new grapes and the success with wine in Kent particularly? Fruit growing temperatures and conditions in Kent have always been excellent and the soils, particularly those under the North Downs in the north of the county, share the same chalk ridges as the famous region of Champagne in France. This discovery led to trialing out the Champagne grapes mentioned above and to great success. Climate change has also meant that in the right conditions, grapes are able to ripen just that little bit more than they used to, which makes all the difference for wine production. Add to this the modern techniques by winemakers who have travelled the world and improved disease control and you have a recipe for success - so much so that we are even seeing famous Champagne houses snapping up land, such as Domaine Evremond, owned by the Taittinger family, who have planted vines down in Faversham. 

There are now over fifty wineries in Kent alone and the area is quickly becoming a real destination for fine wine production and gastro tourism, the latter helped by the picture perfect villages, cottages, landscapes and oasthouses of the county. If you’ve seen the film ‘The Holiday’, you’ll know exactly what we mean. A group of these wineries have also got together to support each other and boost the reputation of Kent wine under the title ‘Wine Garden of England’. These are Biddenden, Gusbourne, Balfour at Hush Heath Estate, Chapel Down, Domaine Evremond, Simpsons and Squerryes. 

Beer and Spirits

Drinks lovers will also note that Kent also has a strong association with growing hops for beer and we can still see some of these oast houses dotted around the county, though they are more often used as posh housing nowadays. Distilleries are also popping up, with some offering some fantastic experience for visitors, such as Copper Rivet over in Chatham that offers distillery tours and tastings and also has a new cocktail bar and fine dining restaurant on site. 

Notable wineries of Kent

Of the fifty or so wineries dotted around the county, there are several that stand out. While these names will change over time with new ones being added regularly, these are the need-to-know producers currently making a splash and well worth a visit:

• Gusbourne

• Balfour at Hush Heath

• Simpsons

• Biddenden

• Woodchurch

• Herbert Hall

• Squerryes

• Chapel Down

• Mereworth

• Look out for Domaine Evremond too; the Taittinger family project, recently planted.

Gusbourne

Location: Appledore, Kent

Gusbourne and its head winemaker Charlie Holland have been turning heads all over the vinous world as their vintage sparkling wines gather inordinate amounts of awards. Even their first releases in 2006 (Gusbourne Brut Reserve and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs), which were released in 2010, commanded attention immediately. Since then, the English wine world has watched in awe as the team crafts the vintages every year, adding new cuvées and styles to their repertoire. The winery now produces several white and rosé sparkling wines as well as an impressive range of still wines, each with their own personality. This is a real, fine wine producer of Kent.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours
Guided and self guided tours with wine tastings are available from £25 pp.

Food

While there is no restaurant or café at Gusbourne per se, picnics are available to buy and consume overlooking the stunning Boot Hill vineyard at the top of the estate. You can however, also pre book an extended tour and tasting which includes a 3 course lunch for £95pp or for something less formal, try the discovery tour, which involves a tasting and a casual lunch for £75 pp. Locals say to try the Ferry Inn in Oxney or The Woolpack Inn in Warehorne for great pub grub if the tasting lunches don’t work for you. Also, make sure you pay a visit to Miss Mollett's High Class Tea Rooms in Appledore if you’re staying there. 

Accommodation

None on site but there are several very pretty Air BnBs down the road in Appledore, about 30 mins walk away through the vines.

Kiddie friendly: No. 
Dog friendly: Yes outside, or possibly inside if clean and very well behaved. 

Address: Kenardington Rd, Appledore, Ashford TN26 2BE
Tel: +44 (0)1233 758666
Website

Balfour at Hush Heath Estate 

Location: Near Stapleford, Kent

The 16th century Hush Heath manor is the home to Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn who acquired the 400 acre estate that surrounds it in 2001 after it came up unexpectedly in an auction. The couple had the foresight to plant grape vines alongside some of the apple trees and now, twenty years later, they are producing award-winning sparkling and still wines alongside their beers and high class ciders that are made just like their fizz. With their new terrace called ‘The View’ and its sweeping views across the estate, it’s a lovely spot for a tasting with a sharing platter. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

At Hush Heath, you can do simple guided and self-guided walks around the estate culminating in a tasting or you can upgrade the offering to include sharing platters at The View. They offer several types of other experiences, including self-tutored tastings, masterclasses, wine and dine experiences and corporate and private events where they pick you up from the station!

Food

There’s no restaurant or café at Hush Heath as such, but sharing platters of cold cuts, cheeses and other local products are available on the day.  

Accommodation

The Balfour family own several gastro pubs with rooms in the area (and elsewhere), the closest of which is the Goudhurst Inn five minutes drive away. They also own the Tickled Trout in Farleigh, the Woolpack on Tenterden high street, the Ship Inn in Rye and The Windmill in Hollingbourne, all a bit further away. 

Kiddie Friendly: Yes on the terrace and in The View. Under 10’s are not permitted on the winery tour.

Address: Hush Heath Estate, Five Oak Ln, Staplehurst, Tonbridge TN12 0HT
Tel: +44 (0)1622 832794
Website

Simpsons English Wine Estate

Location: Canterbury

Run by veteran winemaking couple Charles and Ruth Simpson, this estate is tucked away on the chalky slopes of the North Downs, sheltered from the weather by stunning English woodland. A relative newcomer on the English winemaking scene, Simpson’s first wine releases of traditional method sparkling wines in their sleek, dark packaging impressed from the off and they’ve gone on to produce some serious still wines too from the same Champagne grapes, including one that’s, unusually, made from 100% Pinot Meunier. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Simpsons offer weekday and weekend tours and tastings as well as sought-after, Friday Sunset Sessions with food platter.

Food

No restaurant or café, but platters are available on the Friday sunset sessions. 

Address: The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB
Tel: +44 (0) 1227 832200
Website

Biddenden Vineyards

Location: Biddenden

Biddenden is Kent’s original vineyard, dating back to 1969 when the first vines were planted on the Barnes family’s orchard farm. Unlike many of the other new wineries in Kent, Biddenden doesn’t just focus on the three Champagne grapes for its wine but celebrates eleven different grape varieties, including what we could now call the ‘heritage’ English grapes such as Bacchus, Ortega and Huxelrebe. A true location for quintessentially Kentish produce, Biddenden also produces cider, juices and sells a range of local produce. If you want to know Kentish wine, you should start here. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Self guided tours and wine tastings are available 7 days a week and group bookings for up to six people are available Weds-Sat. 

Shop

As well as wine, cider, beer and gin, Biddenden has a shop that stocks a wide range of local and regional products and snacks, such as cheese, meats and condiments from independent and artisan producers.

Address: Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Kent. TN27 8DF.
Tel: +44 (0)1580 291726
Website

Woodchurch

Location: Woodchurch

Woodchurch is a relatively new, family-owned winery located on the edge of the picturesque village of Woodchurch in Kent, overlooking the ancient Romney marsh down to the English channel. Established in 2009, their vision is to create some of the world’s finest sparkling wines with a hand-made approach in their state-of-the-art winery and minimal intervention.

On Site Experiences

The cellar door shop and new terrace bar are now open again and they serve wines by the glass with some free tastings. There’s no need to book ahead for this. 

Tastings & Tours

Guided tours with four wines are available for £20 per person, lasting about an hour and a half.

Food

Cheese and Charcuterie boards are available too, 11am - 4pm but it’s wise to pre-order. 

Address: Susan's Hill, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3RE
Tel: 01233 860276
Website

Herbert Hall

Location: Marden Tonbridge

Herbert Hall is the name of a colourful character who was also a tenant farmer who arrived in the village of Marden at the end of the 19th century and worked on the ten-acre site to the west of the village. On the estate, he grew hops, apples, pears and plums and his farm has remained in the Hall family for three generations. It was in 2007 however that his great grandson, the now winemaker Nicholas Hall, chose Herbert’s original site to plant a vineyard with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Today, with fellow winemaker Kirsty Smith, he now produces vintage, English Sparkling Wines with a focus on organic viticulture and meticulous fruit selection.

On Site Experiences

Tastings, Tours & Food

The Herbert Hall bar is open on Saturdays 12pm-8pm and Sundays 12-6pm during the summer, but is currently weather dependent. The bar also serves beers, cider and soft drinks, as well as still wines, their own sparkling wines, and charcuterie and cheeses.

Address: Poultry Farm, Plain Rd, Marden, Tonbridge TN12 9LS
Website

Squerryes

Location: Westerham, Kent

The Warde family motto, which can be seen above the door at Squerryes Court, reads ’Licet Esse Beatis’, which means: ‘it’s permitted to be joyful’ and this is a place that embodies that perfectly. Located just outside Westerham at the foot of the North Downs, the family have lived here for eight generations over 300 years, with Sir Patience Warde one of the first generation, trading wool from the Estate with the French for red wine. Fast forward centuries later and the family turned down offers from a Champagne house to buy some of their land. It was the right decision as now, Squerryes is making a solid name for its vintage, sparkling wines in their own right.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Squerryes offer tours that culminate in tastings that include their signature Brut release, the Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. Tours run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays every weekend through to October.

Food

Squerryes is a great choice for when you want to make a day of it, with a tour, then a tasting and a proper lunch or dinner in The Terrace restaurant or The Bottle Store restaurant. There is Al Fresco dining at The Terrace between April and September and you can look forward to small, seasonal dishes and sharing plates with select cuts of prime meat and seafood, created by their estate chef, Alexander Baillieu. 

Private Hire & Weddings

You have found your perfect location for a party or a wedding. Squerryes Court has featured in many a period drama and could be the perfect backdrop to your big day. The winery space is also available to hire. 

Address: Squerryes, Beggars Lane, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1QP
Tel: 01959 562345
Website

Chapel Down

Location: Tenterden, Kent

Chapel Down might well be the name in English wine that you are most familiar with as they were one of the first to go big and get ‘out there’ in mainstream shops and restaurants. Located just outside Tenterden and pretty close to Gusbourne and Woodchurch, this is a great location to start an English wine tour, especially as there are some great pubs with rooms nearby. Chapel Down themselves also offer a range of experiences, from guided tours, wine tastings and full-on masterclasses, to lunch at their restaurant ‘The Swan’. There are also accommodation packages you could look at with their partner hotels.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

You can do guided and self guided tours around their vineyards and herb garden. There are various options from simple tours and tastings to full, deluxe tour packages. Cheese and wine tastings are also available.

Food

Chapel Down boasts a two AA Rosette and Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants specialising in modern British cuisine and locally sourced seasonable produce.

Lease the vines!

Chapel Down also has a vine lease programme where you can buy or gift someone their very own Bacchus vines and create personalised wines. There are also events for the leaseholders to attend and you are able to visit your vines at any time to see how they are coming on. 

Address: Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NG
Tel: 01580 763033
Website

Mereworth Wines

Location: Mereworth, Kent.

Mereworth is a pretty ancient Kentish site that even gets a mention in the Domesday book! The area, like much of Kent has a long history of growing fruit and hops and now, Mereworth has its own winery, swapping hops for grapes. It’s a new winery on the scene but is already making a splash with its first vintage of 2018 sparkling wines winning prestigious awards already. It’s rapidly becoming a serious destination for wine lovers thanks to its calendar of events such as their Indian wine supper and their Champagne Vs England sparkling wine tasting. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings, Tours & Food

Mereworth Wines runs tours and tastings, with an option of masterclasses and wine-and-cheese pairings too. Check their website for their events too.

Address: Brewers Hall, Tonbridge Rd, Mereworth, Maidstone, ME18 5JD. 
Tel: 01622 817795
Website

Places to stay in Kent for your wine tour

The Woolpack Inn, Warehorne.

Tickled Trout in West Fairleigh

Woolpack, Tenterden high street.

The Ship Inn, Rye.

The Windmill, Hollingbourne.

The Oxney Barns, Oxney.

Shepherd’s Huts, Oxney.

Want to know more about English wine? Here are some need-to-know producers to seek out. Or you could try this article for the best UK vineyard hotels. Or this one for the best places to drink English wine in the UK!