Balfour Winery: Pioneers of the Kentish Terroir
“Founded in 2002 on the lush, clay-loam soils of the Hush Heath Estate, Balfour Winery was born from a singular ambition: to create an English sparkling wine that could rival the finest in the world. Today, as one of the UK’s leading family-owned estates, they remain dedicated to the 'Balfour Way'—a philosophy of minimal intervention and site-specific viticulture that captures the true essence of the Garden of England.”
1. The Heritage
The Balfour story began when Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn planted their first vineyards at Hush Heath Estate to produce a pink sparkling wine for their own wedding. That vintage, the 2004 Balfour Brut Rosé, became the first English wine to win a gold medal and trophy at the International Wine Challenge, instantly putting English sparkling wine on the global map.
It remains a family-run business, now led by the next generation, maintaining its status as a boutique producer of world-class still and sparkling wines.
2. The Location
The estate is situated in Staplehurst, Kent, spanning 400 acres of pristine English countryside. This isn't just a vineyard; it is a complete closed-loop production site where the grapes are grown, pressed, fermented and aged in their state-of-the-art winery - all within the boundaries of the estate.
3. The Difference
Sustainable Winegrowing UK: Balfour is a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing Great Britain, thereby committing to soil health, biodiversity and reducing carbon footprints.
Minimal Intervention: Their head winemaker follows a philosophy of letting the fruit speak, using minimal fining and filtration to preserve the character of the Kentish soil.
Biodiversity Anchors: The estate maintains ancient woodlands and wildflower meadows alongside the vines, providing a natural habitat for local wildlife and beneficial insects.
Educational Excellence: They are a major contributor to the UK’s rural economy, offering extensive apprenticeship programs and technical training for the burgeoning English wine industry.
4. The Hero Products
Balfour Brut Rosé: The wine that started it all. A sophisticated, dry sparkling rosé with notes of wild strawberry and a crisp, English acidity.
Luke’s Pinot Noir: A standout English still red wine, proving that Kent’s warming climate can produce nuanced, cool-climate Pinot Noir that rivals its European counterparts.
Skye’s Chardonnay: An elegant, un-oaked Chardonnay that showcases the purity of the fruit and the mineral-rich soils of the Hush Heath Estate.
5. The Essentials
Sustainable Winegrowing GB; WineGB Member.
