Kent Wine of the Year 2022 Winner: Balfour Brut Rose

Balfour Winery is one of England’s leading wine producers and pioneer for both English traditional method sparkling wines and a new wave of English still wines.

Making more than 400,000 bottles of still and sparkling wines each year, Balfour is one of England’s most respected and renowned wineries, combining world-class wine-making with a spirit of innovation.

Along with world-class English wines, beers and ciders, Balfour Winery is home to some of England’s most vibrant flora and fauna. For nature and wine lovers alike, the estate offers an unparalleled experience. Guests can take a self-guided stroll through beautiful vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands, or join an expert-led tour and tasting experience.

History

Balfour Winery’s history begins in 2002, when Oast House Meadow vineyard was planted using clones and rootstocks specifically chosen to make a worldclass sparkling rosé, our Balfour Brut Rosé.

Hush Heath Estate has been part of the Balfour-Lynn family for three generations, but it wasn’t until Richard and Leslie purchased the 400-acre farmland attached to Hush Heath Estate that Balfour Winery’s story began.

It was Leslie’s idea to plant the original vines in 2002, with a view to making a pink sparkling wine of equivalent quality to Billecart Salmon Rosé – their favourite pink Champagne. And so five acres were planted with an aim to produce a wine they would love. “If we can’t sell it” they thought, “we’ll drink it”.

Fortunately, when Balfour Brut Rosé was launched in 2004 it quickly became a major success, winning a gold medal and trophy in the International Wine Challenge for its first vintage. The accolades did not stop there and Balfour Brut Rosé was the first English sparkling wine served on British Airways First Class worldwide. It was also chosen as the only English wine to be served at the London 2012 Olympics. It has truly earned its title of “England’s most exclusive pink fizz”.

Over the following years, co-founders Richard and Leslie formed a team of viticultural and winemaking experts who assisted them in creating a state-of-the-art winery and tasting room, which opened in 2010. In 2018 both the winery and tasting room were greatly expanded and now make one of the best visitor and wine making facilities in England.

2022 marks Balfour Winery’s 20th Anniversary and to celebrate there is a number of exciting events planned throughout the year, which include The Winemaker’s Collection Launch, a Jazz Dinner in the summer and a vertical tasting of Balfour Brut Rosé, to name a few.