Balfour Blanc de Blancs
Guide price: £60
Recorded vintages: 2022
A traditional-method Blanc de Blancs from Balfour, with apple, pear and citrus flavours and a light biscuit note.
2002
Staplehurst
Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn planted the first two hectares at Hush Heath Estate in 2002 with the aim of making English sparkling rosé. Their first commercial vintage followed in 2004. Balfour Brut Rosé was later served in British Airways First Class and at the London 2012 Olympics.
The range has since expanded to include other traditional-method sparkling wines and still wines from Kent.
The 400-acre Hush Heath Estate includes vineyards, apple orchards, wildflower meadows and ancient oak woodland. Balfour’s wider vineyard holdings cover around 200 acres across Kent, on Wealden clay, greensand and chalk. Parcels are monitored and harvested separately. The estate’s vineyard practices are certified by Sustainable Wines of Great Britain.
WINEMAKER
Head Winemaker Fergus Elias works alongside his father Owen, who has made Balfour’s wines since the first vintage in 2004. They ferment small batches separately before blending, with pressing through to disgorgement handled at the estate winery. The range also includes experimental wines from limited parcels and less widely planted grape varieties.
The Collection
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Guide price: £60
Recorded vintages: 2022
A traditional-method Blanc de Blancs from Balfour, with apple, pear and citrus flavours and a light biscuit note.
Guide price: £50
Recorded vintages: 2022
A traditional-method Blanc de Noirs from Balfour, with tangerine, red-fruit and brioche flavours.
Guide price: £55
Recorded vintages: 2022
Balfour’s traditional-method sparkling rosé, with redcurrant, pomegranate and grapefruit flavours.
Prices shown are the latest recorded by UKFizz and may change. Please check the seller’s current price before purchasing.
Book a guided vineyard and winery tour or a six-wine tasting, follow a free self-guided walk, or eat at The Winemakers’ Kitchen. The cellar door sells bottles to take home. Book tours and tastings in advance; restaurant reservations are recommended.
Cellar door: Open 365 days. These are the 1 April–31 October hours. From 1 November–30 March, Sunday–Wednesday closes at 5pm and Thursday–Saturday closes at 11pm. Major holidays may require pre-booking; cellar-door food and last-order times vary, so check the official website.
BUY & DRINK
Explore places linked to this producer or its individual wines. Menus and availability can change; check with the venue before visiting.
LISTED PRODUCER • Bowness-on-Windermere
A restaurant and bar across three floors in Bowness-on-Windermere, with live music and English still and sparkling wines from Balfour Winery on the drinks list.
LISTED PRODUCER • London
A City wine bar and bistro offering Balfour’s English still and sparkling wines, plus self-guided tasting flights.
LISTED PRODUCER • Bristol
A harbourside restaurant on Bristol’s Floating Harbour. Its wine list includes English wines from producers such as Nyetimber and Louis Pommery England.
LISTED PRODUCER • Glasgow
Seasonal Scottish dining in the heart of Glasgow, with English wines from Balfour Winery and Silverhand Estate on the published wine list.
LISTED PRODUCER • London
A bustling Hackney destination bringing together a restaurant, deli, coffee counter, bar, florist and independent retail under one roof.
LISTED PRODUCER • Edinburgh
A rooftop lounge on the seventh floor of Market Street hotel, with small plates and views across Edinburgh. Balfour English sparkling wine features in its drinks selection.
LISTED PRODUCER • Ramsgate
Number nine serves seasonal Kent cooking at Chapel House Estate near Minster. Its drinks list includes English wines from Gusbourne, Chapel Down, Balfour and Westwell.
LISTED PRODUCER • Exton
A village pub in Exton. Its sample wine list features brut and sparkling rosé from neighbouring Exton Park and a Bacchus from Balfour Winery.
LISTED PRODUCER • London
An independent London wine shop and tasting space for discovering distinctive bottles with friendly, knowledgeable guidance.