Posh Pinot? The Only Way is Essex!
‘Essex’ and ‘fine wine’ are not usually words you’ll see together in a sentence. But as a female wine professional who grew up in Essex during the 80s and 90s, with my formative years punctuated by misogynistic jokes about girls from my part of the world, nothing’s more pleasing than telling the world that this much-maligned county is currently the most exciting region for fine wine on the planet. Fact.
It’s no secret that England is a serious player in the wine industry nowadays, thanks to the posh sparkling wines coming from the Champagne-alike soils of Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and beyond. But as far as the next frontier goes, and certainly when it comes to fine, still wines, all eyes are on Essex. And for good reason, too. Results just in from this year’s WineGB Awards - the top national competition for English and Welsh wine - confirm a genuine shift. For the second year running, the ultimate national trophies have been dominated by wines made with grapes grown in Essex.
Indeed, there are now more than 55 vineyards in the county, making Essex one of the biggest wine-producing regions behind Sussex and Kent. So, where exactly is this exciting wine production happening and why is it different from elsewhere in England?
Which parts of Essex make great wine?
Of the three emerging sub-regions of Essex, it is the Crouch Valley on the Dengie Peninsula, which lies to the east of Chelmsford and south of the River Blackwater, that’s currently getting the most attention from wine buffs. None other than Jancis Robinson, the world’s most famous wine writer, has described it as ‘England’s Côte d’Or’, thanks to the rich and complex, ‘Burgundian’-style, still wines coming out of it made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Burgundy itself has now also got the memo, with producers from the famous French villages of Gevrey-Chambertin and Chassagne-Montrachet recently announcing joint ventures with two of Essex’s top players: Danbury Ridge and Missing Gate Vineyard. It did, after all, hit 40 degrees in ‘cool climate’ Burgundy this summer, which fine wine grapes struggle with.
It’s not just the French eyeing up Essex though: Jackson Family Wines, a major Californian-based wine company, founded Marbury in 2023 - another Crouch Valley operation - persuading celebrated English winemaker Charlie Holland to jump ship from Gusbourne in Kent to build a portfolio of still wines in Essex from scratch.
“I first sat up and noticed the wines coming out of the Crouch Valley in 2018,’ Charlie tells me. ‘Some were a significant step up from anything I had tasted in the UK before. Now I’m winemaking here, being able to consistently ripen grapes to produce still wines above 13% alcohol by volume (ABV) naturally, even in a difficult year, is a game changer for being able to make still wine. Elsewhere, they struggle to get about 11%, which is fine for sparkling - but I firmly believe this is the best place to grow grapes for still wine in this country.”
Being able to ripen grapes fully is more important for still wines. Riper grapes have more sugar, which means more alcohol, fruitiness and body. Sparkling wines, by contrast, actually need grapes to be less ripe, as they are more about crisp acidity than voluptuous ripe fruit.
For riper grapes, parts of Essex have the trump card compared to other parts of the UK. In the Crouch Valley, it’s all about the soils; the heat-retaining London Clay to be precise as well as a warmer, drier microclimate, keeping frost at bay and helping ripen grapes enough to make still wines that aren’t weedy and acidic. North-west Essex around Saffron Walden and out towards Colchester, between the Colne and Stour Valleys, are the two other hotspots for fine Essex wine, though here, there’s more chalk and the focus is largely on sparkling vino and more aromatic grapes like Bacchus and Pinot Gris. Saffron Grange, whose vines sit on chalk, is one to watch, having just won three awards for their sparkling wines at WineGB East 2026, with Bromley Brook, located near Manningtree, taking home ‘Best Pinot Noir’ at the same competition.
Essex knows it’s got a good thing going and happily for its growing number of international visitors, they’ve understood the importance of wine tourism too, with numerous wineries opening up restaurants and tasting rooms on site. Wine educator Paul Laurie, who is known as Essex Wine Man and is an ambassador for New Hall Estate in Purleigh near Maldon, is excited for what’s coming next.
‘We’ve hosted big corporate events with brands like BMW and Porsche recently,’ he reveals, ‘and with new Essex Wine Tour companies setting up as we speak, it’s all only going to get bigger.’
Keep an eye on crouchvalleywinetours.co.uk and many of the wineries offer their own tasting tours.
Thirsty yet? Get a taste of Essex with these ten top tipples:
New Hall Single Estate Pinot Précoce Rosé 2025, £14.95 The Wine Society
Made by Crouch Valley’s oldest winery founded in 1969, this wine is made with Pinot Précoce; a more early ripening relation to Pinot Noir and here, it gives a wonderfully crisp and crunchy, rosehip-scented pink. Sip this as an aperitif or pair it with prawns. Well-priced and interesting, this is a great wine to start your Essex wine journey with.
Bromley Brook, Bacchus 2023, £20 bromleybrookvineyard.com
A fantastic example of wine made with the Bacchus grape from an award-winning vineyard out near Stour Valley, with notes of grass, forest floor and citrus. One for Sauvignon Blanc fans and it will make a great pairing for goats cheese and most types of salad. A good choice for a lunchtime tipple.
London Clay Brut NV, £18.50 crushedandcured.co.uk
London Clay make delightfully fruity, easy-drinking fizzes, which are made like Prosecco but with Champagne grapes. This is an effortless, unpretentious and very modern tipple that’s ideal when paired with simple, salty nuts and snacks. A good choice for intimate gatherings with friends.
Riverview Pinot Noir Rosé 2025, £25 thegoodwineshop.co.uk
Made with 100% Pinot Noir, this is a laser-focussed, pure and lean pink with vibrant ripe berry fruit. Wonderful with smoked or baked salmon and a nice treat with cold cuts, this could also hold its own with lightly spiced Asian food. Try their still Chardonnays and Pinots too once they’re back in stock!
New Hall Sparkling Brut Rosé NV, £30 newhallwines.co.uk
If you’re after a decent Champagne method sparkling with an Essex accent, this sherbety pink is impressive. Think raspberry and strawberry leaf with a touch of biscuit and pretty, floral aroma. Kick off a fancy dinner with this or swap out the Champagne at celebrations. Watch their faces when you say it’s from Essex!
Blackbook Winery, NightJar Pinot Noir 2024, £30 blackbookwinery.com
Made by the brilliant Battersea Urban winery Blackbook using grapes from Clayhill Vineyard in Crouch Valley, this is a silky pinot with concentrated red and dark cherry, bramble fruit and a peppery spiciness. One for lamb or grilled beef and a superb choice to confuse the posh winos in your life when you serve it blind. They’ll think it’s French.
Saffron Grange, The Rebel, Blanc de Gris Sparkling 2023, £30 saffrongrage.com
A fun, new wine from the multi-award winning Saffron Grange, this is a generous, traditional-method Pinot Gris / Chardonnay blend with notes of melon, pear and brioche. A bit different and great for gifting thanks to its funky packaging and star-on-the-rise story. Pair it with pastry-based snacks and it can take a little chilli spice.
Blackbook Pygmalion Chardonnay 2022, £45 Highburyvintners.co.uk
The as yet unreleased 2023 vintage of the Pygmalion Chardonnay was the big WineGB winner this year but try the equally epic 2022 while you wait. Buttery and almost tropical with notes of brioche, lemon curd and hazelnut, this limited edition is crying out for roast chicken or mild curries. One for you ‘open that bottle’ night to be tasted with people who appreciate it.
Danbury Ridge Chardonnay 2023, £39, The Wine Society
Textured, complex and creamy with a lemon peel tang and a pinch of spice, this is a truly knockout Chardonnay, sitting somewhere style-wise between a fine Burgundy and coastal Californian. Pair with nutty cheese, chicken or a posh monkfish dish. Best served as a dinner for two where you don’t have to share it too widely. You might want to decant it too.
Marbury Pinot Noir 2024, £44, Elementarywine.co.uk
Soft and velvety with concentrated notes of dark cherry, baking spice and plum compote, this is an incredibly accomplished English Pinot for such a young estate. It’s like Burgundy but bolder and will love a leg of lamb or some cheeky duck pancakes. Stock up on a few of these to lay down as it will age beautifully too.
Liked this? Try these:
How to find REALLY good Prosecco
One Minute Wine Ace: Albariño from Rìas Baixas
One Minute Wine Ace: Pinot Noir
Or listen to the HelenaSips Podcast!