Balfour Winery (Hush Heath) - England's Pioneering Sparkling & Still Wine Estate in Kent
Tucked into the rolling Kent countryside just 45 minutes from London, Balfour Winery sits at the heart of the 400-acre Hush Heath Estate near Staplehurst. It is one of England's most celebrated wine producers - a family-owned business that pioneered traditional-method English sparkling wine and continues to push the boundaries of English still winemaking. Each year the winery produces more than 400,000 bottles of still and sparkling wine from over 200 acres of vineyard, and the Cellar Door has made it a must-visit destination on the English wine trail.
History: From "If We Can't Sell It, We'll Drink It" to a National Treasure
The story begins with the Balfour-Lynn family and the 400-acre farmland attached to their Tudor estate, Hush Heath. It was Leslie Balfour-Lynn who, in 2002, planted the original five acres of vines with a clear ambition: to make a pink sparkling wine of equivalent quality to Billecart Salmon Rosé, the couple's favourite pink Champagne. As the family famously quipped at the time, "If we can't sell it, we'll drink it."
Three years later, those first vines were harvested, and in 2007 the resulting wine - Balfour Brut Rosé 2004 - won Gold and the Trophy at the International Wine Challenge, becoming the first English wine to do so. It went on to be the first English sparkling served in British Airways First Class worldwide and the only English wine poured at the London 2012 Olympics. Over the following years, co-founders Richard and Leslie built a state-of-the-art winery and tasting room on the estate, which opened in 2010 and was significantly expanded in 2018 to become one of the best visitor and winemaking facilities in England.
The Hush Heath Estate
Hush Heath is the spiritual and physical home of Balfour Winery. The estate stretches across 400 acres of manicured vineyards, apple orchards, wildflower meadows and ancient oak woodland in the heart of Kent - England's warmest, driest county and a region increasingly regarded as one of the most exciting cool-climate wine regions in the world.
Over half of Balfour's vineyards are located on the estate itself, planted on Wealden clay soils over Tunbridge Wells sand. These sites provide the fruit for many of the winery's single-vineyard wines, including the flagship Balfour Brut Rosé. The remaining vineyards, managed in partnership with long-term growers across Kent and Essex, are planted on greensand (yielding wines of poise and balance) and chalk (producing leaner, more austere wines with classic English tension).
The estate is maintained by the Turner family - Cathy, Stef and Billy - three generations of whom have worked at Hush Heath. The woodlands and wildflower meadows are home to barn owls, fallow deer, buzzards and a host of insects and pollinators, all part of a careful conservation programme that runs alongside the viticulture. Balfour is a founding member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) certification scheme and was the first UK vineyard to achieve full BRCGS accreditation.
Winemaking Philosophy
Balfour's wines are known for their clean, fresh and precise style: brilliant clarity, distinctive fruit on the nose and a wonderful balance of fruit and vibrant English acidity on the palate, finishing with a long, mouth-watering lift. The secret is clonal selection. In every vineyard, each clone of each variety is monitored individually throughout the year and harvested separately when optimal ripeness is achieved. The estate alone accounts for over 100 different clonal and varietal combinations.
To allow for this precision harvesting and small-batch approach, the winery is equipped with two 4-tonne presses and its own bottling and disgorging line, giving complete control from receipt of grapes through to labelling and packaging.
Winemaking is a family affair. Owen Elias, awarded UK Winemaker of the Year on six occasions, has been making wine at Hush Heath since the very first vintage in 2004. His son Fergus Elias, who trained at Plumpton College, joined him as Head Winemaker and is now driving innovation across the range. Together the father-and-son team also blend England's only lager and IPA "by winemakers" - the Balfour beer range.
The Wines
Balfour's portfolio is divided into four distinct collections, each with its own personality.
Vintage Sparkling Collection
The flagship range, made only in exceptional years from single vineyards. All are single-vintage, single-vineyard wines designed to express both terroir and vintage while showcasing Balfour's signature purity and freshness.
- Balfour Brut Rosé 2021 - £55. The wine that started it all. Pale salmon in the glass with cranberry and sloe on the nose, more cranberry than strawberry on the palate. Made entirely from vines on Oast House Meadow at Hush Heath. 88.5% Pinot Noir, 11.5% Chardonnay.
- Balfour Blanc de Blancs 2022 - £60. 100% estate-grown Chardonnay with baked apple, lemon curd and a whisper of biscuit. Critics have compared it favourably blind to fine Champagne.
- Balfour Blanc de Noirs 2022 - £50. A rare English white sparkling made from black grapes (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier), pressed gently to keep the juice pale.
- Cuvée Owen Erland Elias 2020 - £70. A single-clone, single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs from Chardonnay Clone 76, with no malolactic fermentation to keep the wine brilliantly bright and focused.
- The Winemakers' Duet - £100. A gift box featuring two limited-edition, single-vineyard, single-clone wines from Fergus Elias's Winemakers' Collection.
Leslie's Reserve Collection
The Leslie's Collection was created to produce a sparkling wine for any occasion, each with its own distinct identity. All priced at £35 per bottle.
- Leslie's Brut NV - Classic and elegant, made using the traditional Champagne method.
- Leslie's Gold NV - Extra dry, opulent and approachable.
- Leslie's Rosé NV - Fresh, lively and made for celebrating every little moment.
- Leslie's Reserve Red - A bold, vibrant sparkling red, the newest addition to the collection.
Still Wines
Still wine at Balfour is the focus of painstaking clonal and site selection. The result is a collection that is pushing the boundaries of English still wine production.
- Nannette's Rosé 2025 - £25. Named after Leslie's youngest daughter. Dusty pink with strawberries, raspberries and rose petal. The wine that has put Kent rosé on the map and earned widespread press praise.
- Nannette's Rosé 2025 Magnum - £60. The viral sensation in celebration-size format.
- Liberty's Bacchus 2025 - £25. Named after the family's Dalmatian. Elderflower, citrus and a hint of hedgerow herb, with a touch of barrel ageing and wild fermentation for added texture.
- Liberty's Bacchus 2023 Half Bottle - £15.
- Skye's Chardonnay 2023 - £25. Unoaked, textural and precise - Kent's answer to Chablis.
- Chardonnay 76 2022 - £35. A limited-edition still Chardonnay from a single vineyard and single clone (Clone 76), showing mineral depth.
- Luke's Pinot Noir 2025 - £30. A silky, light English red with bright cherry and a touch of spice, made from the Burgundian 115 clone.
- Cinque Ports 2019 - £40. A rare English still wine composed of five white grape varieties.
- Scout's Sauvignon Blanc 2025 - Grown in the sunny Crouch Valley in Essex.
- Sir Geoff Hurst Cuvée 66 - £30. A celebratory sparkling created with Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Ian Botham, paying tribute to England's 1966 World Cup win.
- Noble Alibi - £30. An alcohol-free rosé for those who want the flavour without the fuzz.
Winemakers' Collection
The Winemakers' Collection is the epitome of Balfour's winemaking philosophy. Each year, the winemakers identify and isolate small parcels of wine with distinct characteristics, then use innovative techniques to produce these limited editions. The labels themselves are works of art - past editions have featured commissions from Keith Coventry, Lothar Götz and, for the 2022 vintage, British artist Henry Hudson.
Magnums & Special Releases
Limited magnum formats are produced only in small numbers and make perfect centrepiece bottles for celebrations.
- Balfour Blanc de Noirs 2018 Magnum - £100
- Balfour Blanc de Blancs 2018 Magnum - £120 (now sold out; 750ml still available)
- Leslie's Brut NV Magnum - £80. Only 500 produced.
Beer & Cider
As with the wines, Balfour's beers and ciders are made with the same skill and pioneering spirit. The ciders are crafted from 100% juice of Kentish dessert apples - Russet, Cox and Bramley - grown on the estate's orchards and fermented separately before blending. The lager and IPA, blended by winemakers Owen and Fergus Elias, draw on Kent's heritage for growing hops, reviving forgotten varieties and combining them with modern hybrids. Sold in cases of 12:
- Balfour Lager (12) - £26, gluten-free, England's only lager blended by winemakers.
- Balfour Cider (12) - £25.
- Balfour Fruit Cider (12) - £25.
- Balfour IPA (12) - £25.
- Mixed Bottles (12) - £25 (four bottles each of cider, lager and IPA).
Gifts & Accessories
The Cellar Door shop is also home to a thoughtfully curated gift range. Highlights include hand-poured candles (£35 each) inspired by the wines - Luke's Pinot Noir Candle, Liberty's Candle, Nannette's Candle and Skye's Candle - as well as Hush Heath honey (£7.95), a duo gift box (£10) and trio gift box (£10) for wrapping sparkling bottles, a corkscrew (£10), and gift vouchers from £50. For an experience rather than a bottle, the Balfour Tour Experience Voucher can be redeemed against any tour or tasting.
Introduction to English Wine Case (x6)
Curated as the perfect introduction to English wine, this case brings together six standout bottles at a special offer price of £140 (RRP £175, saving 20%): Nannette's Rosé, Luke's Pinot Noir, Liberty's Bacchus, Skye's Chardonnay, Leslie's Reserve Rosé and Leslie's Reserve Brut, complete with tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Free UK mainland delivery on orders over £80.
Visit Balfour Winery
Balfour is open 365 days a year. Set among 400 acres of vineyards, orchards and ancient woodland, the visitor experience is built around the stylish "View" building, with sweeping views across the estate. Visitors can enjoy a tutored tasting in the Balfour Brut Room, browse the Cellar Door shop, and dine in the Winemakers' Kitchen restaurant - a refined à la carte space where the kitchen philosophy is "what grows together, goes together." For something more relaxed, the Cellar Door itself serves seasonal sharing platters, artisan stone-baked flatbreads and charcuterie boards daily from 12pm to 4pm.
Opening Hours
- 1st April - 31st October: Sunday - Wednesday 10am - 6pm (last kitchen table 3pm, last Cellar Door orders 5pm); Thursday - Saturday 10am - 10:30pm (last kitchen table 9pm, last Cellar Door orders 7pm).
- 1st November - 30th March: Sunday - Wednesday 10am - 5pm; Thursday - Saturday 10am - 11pm.
- Bank Holiday Fridays follow Saturday hours; Bank Holiday Mondays follow Sunday hours.
The Winemakers' Kitchen restaurant is accessible by stairs; downstairs tables can be arranged on request for accessibility needs. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the downstairs terrace and Cellar Door.
Getting There
Balfour Winery is just 45 minutes from London. The nearest train station is Marden, with direct services from London Bridge. A free shuttle bus runs between Marden Station and the winery on Fridays (10am - 9pm), Saturdays (10am - 9pm) and Sundays (10am - 6pm), approximately every 30 minutes. On weekdays, taxis need to be pre-booked - Uber is not available in the area. There is ample free parking on site, including an electric vehicle charging point.
Tours & Tastings
All tour and tasting experiences can be booked via the tours and tastings section, and gift vouchers are available for any of them.
Tour and Tasting
Walk the vineyards, orchards and ancient oak woodlands with an experienced guide, learn about the Balfour-Lynn story and the estate's viticultural practices, then visit the winery and finish with a tutored tasting of six Balfour wines. Monday - Thursday 11am - 1pm, £50pp; Friday - Sunday 10:30am or 1:30pm, £70pp. Duration: 2 hours.
Tutored Wine Tasting
A relaxed, fun hour tasting six Balfour wines without the bravado. Monday - Thursday 2pm - 3pm, £40pp; Friday - Saturday 12pm, 2pm & 5:30pm, £45pp; Sunday 12pm & 2pm, £45pp. Duration: 1 hour.
Sunset Tour, Tasting, and Dinner
An April-to-September evening experience on Thursday to Saturday, beginning with a guided tour of the estate, followed by a tutored tasting of six wines and a two-course dinner in the Winemakers' Kitchen as the sun sets over the vineyard.
Wine and Dine Experience
Balfour's signature all-day experience. Guests are greeted with a glass of Balfour sparkling on the terrace overlooking Nannette's vineyard, taken on a comprehensive tour including the state-of-the-art winery, and treated to a tutored tasting of six wines (including new release and limited-edition cuvées) followed by a three-course lunch with wine pairings curated by Head Winemaker Fergus Elias. Thursday - Sunday 11am - 4:30pm, £190pp. Up to 16 guests; private versions available on request.
Winemakers' Kitchen Lunch & Tutored Wine Tasting
A guided tasting of four wines followed by a two-course lunch in the Winemakers' Kitchen. Monday - Wednesday 12pm - 3pm, £70pp.
Self-Guided Tour
Free, no booking required. Collect a map from the Cellar Door and explore two routes through the vineyards, apple orchards, wildflower meadows and ancient oak woodlands. Self-guided tours run daily between 10am and 5pm (subject to spraying - call ahead on 01622 832 794 to check).
Self-Tutored Tasting
An introduction to the Balfour portfolio at your own pace, from £15 per person. Year-round, booking essential.
Corporate Away Days, Meetings & Private Events
Balfour Winery offers a unique setting for corporate away days and meetings, with a portfolio of meeting rooms - including the Bacchus Room (32 delegates, first floor, vineyard views), the Rosé Room (up to 36 delegates, ground floor, private patio) and The View (ground-floor screen and capacity for 100 - 130 people). Add-on experiences range from a half-day meeting and lunch package to a full-day programme with extended tour, three-course wine-paired lunch, and live music. Tailored walking nature tours with the estate's conservationist and viticulture workshops with the viticultural team can also be arranged.
Eat, Stay & The Pubs and Hotels
The Balfour experience extends beyond the winery. The collection of pubs and hotels includes:
- The Winemaker's Pub, Goudhurst - four boutique bedrooms above a pub serving comforting classics, sourdough pizzas, and a full Balfour wine list, with a complimentary shuttle to and from the winery.
- The Tickled Trout, West Farleigh, Maidstone - six boutique bedrooms, a sun-filled decked terrace and a generous breakfast.
- Balfour at Bow, behind Mary-le-Bow Church near St Paul's Cathedral - a long-standing City restaurant, bistro and bar.
- Balfour St. Barts, overlooking Smithfield Market - bar, restaurant and celebrated wedding venue.
- The Bull and The Hide, near Liverpool Street - a traditional pub with ten boutique rooms and suites.
Balfour Winery Escapes
Curated overnight packages pairing winery tours, seasonal dining and a stay at The Winemaker's Pub, all for two guests:
- Weekday Vineyard Escape - £395 for two. 11am guided tour and tasting, platters or flatbreads in the Cellar Door, three-course dinner at The Winemaker's Pub, overnight stay.
- Friday Sunset Experience - £495 for two. Sunset tour, tasting and dinner at the winery, transfer to The Winemaker's Pub for an overnight stay.
- Weekend Vineyard Escape - £595 for two. Full weekend itinerary including winery tour and tasting, lunch, three-course dinner and overnight stay.
Each escape includes shuttle transfers between the winery and The Winemaker's Pub, a bottle of wine in the room, breakfast and a shuttle to Marden station or back to the winery as needed.
Events Calendar
Throughout the year Balfour hosts a lively programme of seasonal events. Highlights in the coming months include:
- Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Masterclass - Thursday 13th August, 2pm - 4:30pm & 5pm - 7:30pm, £60pp. A Charlotte Tilbury masterclass, welcome drink, three-wine tasting, goody bag and £20pp allowance to spend on the day.
- Harvest Celebration - Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September, 12pm - 7pm, £45pp. Live music, pizza & BBQ, wine masterclasses, free estate tours and a free shuttle from Marden station.
- Yoga in the Vines - Sunday 13th September, 10am - 12:45pm, £50pp. A gentle vinyasa flow session followed by a guided tasting of three Balfour wines.
- Jazz Dinner with Joe Stilgoe - Thursday 1st October, 7pm - 11pm, £150pp. A four-course dinner with Joe Stilgoe providing the soundtrack from 9pm.
- Collective Christmas Party - Thursday 10th & Friday 11th December, 7pm - 11pm, £65pp. A three-course festive feast, live entertainment and dancing among the vines.
The Wine Club also offers members priority access to new release wines, an annual Harvest Picking Day and a Summer Garden Party, plus a complimentary public tour and tasting for two each year.
Awards & Recognition
Balfour's trophy cabinet runs deep. Highlights from the most recent awards include a Master at the Global Masters and Silver at Decanter for Balfour Brut Rosé 2020; Gold at the Global Masters for Balfour Brut Rosé 2021 and Balfour Blanc de Blancs 2018; Gold at the IWC for Balfour Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2018 (and Decanter Best in Show); Gold at the IWC and Wine GB for Cinque Ports 2019; Global Masters Gold for Cuvée Owen Erland Elias; and Wine GB Gold for Liberty's Bacchus 2025. The winery was also the first UK vineyard to achieve full BRCGS accreditation and has been named amongst England's top visitor attractions by VisitEngland.
Plan Your Visit
Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, Kent, TN12 0HT (what3words: lays.works.heightens). Telephone 01622 832 794, email [email protected]. Bookings for tours, tastings and dining can be made online. Balfour is active on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Pinterest.