2012
Canterbury
Blanc de NoirsNon-VintageSparkling RoséSparkling WhiteStill WineTraditional MethodVintage
Ruth and Charles Simpson already knew what it meant to build a wine estate when Kent called. After making wine at Domaine de Sainte Rose in the Languedoc from 2002, they began a second chapter in the Elham Valley in 2012, drawn by the North Downs’ chalk and the cool maritime air rolling in from a coast less than eight miles away. The first vines went into Roman Road in 2014. Railway Hill followed in 2016 and 2017, bringing the estate to 30 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. A purpose-built winery opened in Barham in 2016 and grew again three years later, allowing the team to keep every part of the process in its own hands. That control shows in wines that feel polished without losing their Kentish edge: bright fruit, fine bubbles, measured use of oak and enough time on lees to add shape rather than hide the vineyard. Visitors can taste in the Glass House, follow the route from vines to cellar or catch a summer sunset session when the North Downs decide to put on a show.
Roman Road and Railway Hill occupy south-facing chalk slopes in the Elham Valley, close enough to the Kent coast for the sea to remain part of the growing story. Thirty hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are managed as estate fruit, hand-picked and taken straight to the Barham winery. Chalk gives the wines their line and freshness; careful clonal choices, including Burgundian Pinot Noir Clone 115, build texture and depth.
WINEMAKER
The Simpsons winemaking team keeps the full journey on the estate, from picking and pressing to blending, secondary fermentation and ageing. Primary ferments take place in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with neutral barrels used selectively for reserve and base wines. Full malolactic fermentation and patient bottle ageing bring generosity, while restrained dosage and clean fruit preserve the North Downs’ bright, chalky shape.
The collection
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Update your listingOffice and collection hours
Monday: 09:00–17:00
Tuesday: 09:00–17:00
Wednesday: 09:00–17:00
Thursday: 09:00–17:00
Friday: 09:00–17:00
All tastings and tours require advance booking and are for guests aged 18+. Children are not permitted. Dogs are not permitted except registered assistance dogs. The winery route is wheelchair accessible; the Glass House is upstairs, so contact the team in advance for step-free tasting arrangements.
