Faversham-based Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewer, has launched its first collection of English wines in collaboration with fellow Kent business Balfour Winery.
The two family-owned, independent businesses have come together to create English Garden, comprising an elegant white wine and crisp rosé using Kent-grown grapes.
It is the first time that Shepherd Neame – known for centuries of brewing beer – has released its own English wine, working with the team at Balfour’s Hush Heath Estate in the heart of the Weald.
The English Garden White Bacchus boasts “appealing aromas of rose petal and elderflower, along with vibrant citrus flavours and hints of apple”.
Meanwhile, the English Garden Rosé offers “aromas of ripe summer strawberries, raspberries and rose petal”. It has a “crisp flavour with a finish of lush wild nectarine and hint of thyme”.
Michael Prior, Shepherd Neame’s wines and spirits manager, said: “Shepherd Neame is committed to working with local businesses and suppliers wherever possible, and we are passionate about championing English wines, including offerings from our Kentish heartland.
“We are delighted to see this special partnership come to fruition and look forward to our customers enjoying our beautiful and elegant English Garden wine.”
Balfour’s head winemaker Fergus Elias, who led the team in producing the new collection, added: “This is a really exciting time for English winemaking, particularly in Kent, which is becoming known as the Wine Garden of England with more and more vineyards being introduced in the region.
“We were delighted to work with Shepherd Neame on this exciting project to raise the profile of Kentish wines and are incredibly proud of the finished result.”
The wine, which is produced and bottled by Balfour Winery near Marden, is now available by the glass or bottle in selected Shepherd Neame pubs across Kent, London and the South East. It is also available to buy from Shepherd Neame’s Brewery Shop in Court Street, Faversham.
