Shepherd Neame has launched its first collection of English wines in collaboration with fellow Kent business Balfour Winery
Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewer, is a name synonymous with over three centuries of brewing tradition. Now, the company is embarking on an exciting new venture – releasing its own English wine for the first time, in collaboration with the esteemed Balfour Winery.
Together, Shepherd Neame and Balfour – located at Hush Heath Estate, a 400-acre family-owned Tudor estate in the heart of the Kent countryside – have created the English Garden range, comprising an elegant white wine and crisp rosé using Kent-grown grapes. This partnership is not only a testament to Shepherd Neame’s commitment to quality but also a celebration of the flourishing English wine industry, particularly in its home county of Kent, which is now widely regarded as the “Wine Garden of England.”
Shepherd Neame’s journey into the world of English wine production is not as surprising as it might first appear. Despite being most famous for its beer, the brewery has a long-standing history with wine. As Michael Prior, Shepherd Neame’s wines and spirits manager, explains: “We have had a wine business here at Shepherd Neame for over 200 years and remain committed to ensuring that the very best wines are on offer in our pubs. This tradition has been nurtured through strong relationships with independent and top-quality growers, producers and properties around the world, enabling our venues to offer a point of difference to the everyday wines available on the High Street.”
The brewer has supported English, and more importantly Kentish wines, for many years – from working with the then Tenterden Vineyards when the well-regarded Stephen Skelton MW was at the helm to now working with Gusbourne Estate, Simpsons Wine Estate, and of course, Balfour Estate. “These will be joined by the exciting wines evolving at Champagne Taittinger, soon to open at its new winery Domaine Evremond, situated here in our own backyard at Chilham,” shares Michael. “Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, Honorary Chairman of Champagne Taittinger, was recently guest of honour at our reopening of The Woolpack in Chilham!”
The partnership with Balfour Winery is a natural extension of Shepherd Neame’s desire to support local producers who share its values of independence and quality. “Balfour, like us, is a Kent-based, independent, family-owned business, which is committed to only the best quality,” says Michael. “The winery has access to good plantings of their own fruit and also an incredibly skilled winemaker in Fergus Elias, who is second generation and now leads the winemaking team. We really like what he does – as do our customers!”
Thoughtfully developed to align with Shepherd Neame’s premium brand, the English Garden collection features a White Bacchus and a Rosé. Bacchus, a grape variety often described as “the English Sauvignon”, was selected for its clean, fresh characteristics, which thrive in Kent’s vineyards, boasting appealing aromas of rose petal and elderflower, along with vibrant citrus flavours and hints of apple. Meanwhile, the Rosé, with its delicate salmon-pink hue and flavours of ripe summer berries, perfectly complements modern consumer tastes.
For Michael, these two wines embody quality and sophistication. “They really tick the box as to what our customers are looking for – contemporary, fresh and stylish,” he explains. “The English Garden White Bacchus and the English Garden Rosé are perfect by the glass or the bottle, either with food or as a standalone experience. They reveal what Kent and English wine can deliver and are a versatile addition to the Shepherd Neame portfolio.”
The English Garden range is currently available in selected Shepherd Neame pubs across Kent, Sussex, Essex and London, as well as direct to consumers through the company’s Faversham Brewery Shop. The introduction of the wines has been met with great enthusiasm from customers. Lettie reveals that sales have exceeded expectations, with feedback across Shepherd Neame’s network of pubs and venues overwhelmingly positive.
But the collaboration with Balfour Winery goes beyond simply creating excellent wine. It represents Shepherd Neame’s broader commitment to supporting local businesses and suppliers wherever possible. As a company deeply rooted in Kent, it has always been passionate about championing the region’s produce – from locally sourced hops and barley for its beers to fresh, seasonal ingredients for its pub menus. Partnering with Balfour is another way Shepherd Neame can showcase the best that Kent has to offer while ensuring that customers have access to wines that meet the same high standards as those from renowned wine regions across the world.
Kent’s emergence as a premier wine-growing region is a development that Shepherd Neame is keen to support and promote. By working closely with local producers like Balfour, it is helping to raise the profile of Kentish wines, not just within the UK but beyond. The company is enthusiastic about the future, recognising that the quality and variety of English wines continue to improve with each passing year.
Looking ahead, Shepherd Neame is eager to continue building relationships with local vineyards and winemakers, ensuring that its pubs can offer a diverse and high-quality selection of wines to their customers. The team will also be keeping an eye on emerging regions within the UK, such as Essex, where promising developments in red wine production are taking place, Michael hints. There is every reason to believe that this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for both Shepherd Neame and the Kent wine scene.
