Castle Brook Vineyard: Award-Winning English Sparkling Wines from the Wye Valley
Tucked into a meandering stretch of the Wye Valley in South Herefordshire, Castle Brook Vineyard is one of England's quietly remarkable family-run sparkling wine estates. Planted in 2004 on the site of an ancient Roman vineyard and run by the Chinn family, who are better known locally for their celebrated Wye Valley asparagus, Castle Brook has spent two decades pursuing a single ambition: to make the highest quality English sparkling wine from the three traditional Champagne grape varieties, grown on their own Herefordshire soil.
A Family Vineyard on an Ancient Site
Castle Brook Vineyard is run by the Chinn family, who are best known for producing Wye Valley Asparagus at Cobrey Farms in Herefordshire. Tucked away in the meandering Wye Valley of South Herefordshire, the vines were planted in 2004 on the site of an ancient Roman vineyard.
The vineyard lies on a steep south-facing slope, in the rain shadow of the Black Mountains, but with plenty of warm westerly air. The area is renowned for its fruit and vegetable production, and the Chinn family have been working the land here for four generations. Their wines carry the 'Chinn-Chinn' motif on the bottle, a playful nod to the traditional toast that celebrates the family's agricultural heritage.
The Castle Brook name itself is derived from the farmhouse that sits at the bottom of the vineyard. This ancient building, mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book as a coaching inn, is named after both the ruins of Penyard Castle which overlooks the valley, and the Coughton Brook which runs through it.
Terroir: Ross Sandstone and a Steep South-Facing Slope
Castle Brook's site is, by any measure, an exceptional one for cool-climate viticulture. The vineyard's key viticultural statistics are:
- Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
- Soil: Ross sandstone - free-draining and full of minerals
- Location: Coughton Valley, near Ross-on-Wye, at 51.5° latitude
- Altitude: Between 50 and 100 metres
Targeting the highest quality English sparkling wine, the Chinn family grow 21 different clones of the three traditional Champagne grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay) on three different rootstocks, which allows them to create really exciting blends.
Winemaking: Traditional Method, Generous Lees Ageing
In the weeks leading up to harvest, the grapes are monitored for ripeness, taste, acid and sugar levels, and hand-picked as whole bunches before being gently pressed. Castle Brook uses 100% malolactic fermentation with at least six months maturation in cuvée, followed by a very generous four-and-a-half years-plus in secondary fermentation on the lees.
This attention to detail, along with a commitment to only producing the best English quality sparkling wine, has resulted in gaining multiple awards since the first vintage in 2006. The team works with Ridgeview Estate in Sussex, who are regarded as one of the best sparkling wine makers in the UK and whose Roberts family are dedicated solely to the production of the highest quality sparkling wine from traditional Champagne varieties and methods.
The Wines
Castle Brook's range of three sparkling wines (the Classic Cuvée, the Rosé and the Blanc de Blancs) are all traditional method, bottle-fermented Brut (dry) wines, each with their own unique style.
Classic Cuvée
The flagship Castle Brook wine is a traditionally styled Brut sparkling wine, produced to the highest standards to compete with the best Champagnes. All Castle Brook wines have a generous 4+ years resting on their lees in secondary fermentation before disgorging.
- Cépage: Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Noir 34%, Pinot Meunier 16%
- Alcohol: 12%
- Lees ageing: minimum 4½ years
Tasting notes: Deliciously delicate, crisp palate with a hint of lemon blossom. Brioched and toasty yeast notes add complexity to the finish.
Available direct from the cellar at £34 per bottle or £170 for a case of six (£28.33 per bottle). Order the Classic Cuvée online here.
Sparkling Rosé
A traditionally styled Brut made using Champagne grapes grown on the Herefordshire vineyard. An easy-drinking, high-quality sparkling wine, perfect for a sunny afternoon.
- Cépage: Chardonnay 39%, Pinot Noir 42%, Pinot Meunier 19%
- Alcohol: 12%
- Lees ageing: 4½ years minimum
Tasting notes: Lovely pale salmon-pink hue and fine bubbles on the tongue. Mouth-wateringly fresh, yet softened by the seductive flavour of summer berries.
Available direct from the cellar at £40 per bottle or £200 for a case of six (£33.33 per bottle). Order the Sparkling Rosé online here.
Blanc de Blancs
The most elegant wine in the range, made from 100% Chardonnay grapes for a smooth richness perfect as an aperitif. A 2015 vintage example has a delightful, pale lemon-gold colour; the nose shows a beautiful balance of fresh lemon and spiced pear notes supported by the warmth of freshly risen bread and a touch of butter. The palate is richer and more powerful, with impressive complexity and wonderful length.
- Cépage: Chardonnay 100%
- Alcohol: 12%
- Lees ageing: 4½ years minimum
Available direct from the cellar at £40 per bottle or £200 for a case of six (£33.33 per bottle). Order the Blanc de Blancs online here.
Sparkling Wine Mixed Case
A mixed case with six bottles of Castle Brook's finest sparkling wines, perfect as a taster pack or as a gift, and a big saving compared to buying individual bottles. The case includes:
- 2× Castle Brook Classic Cuvée
- 2× Castle Brook Rosé
- 2× Castle Brook Blanc de Blancs
£190 for six bottles. Order the mixed case online here.
Awards and Recognition
On the release of the first vintage in 2006, Castle Brook picked up three silver medals, including one at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The wines have since accumulated a remarkable trophy cabinet:
- Trophies: ‘Best Sparkling Wine’ and ‘Wine of the Year’ at SWVA 2014; ‘Best Presented Wine’ at UKVA 2015; the Ray Pelfrey Cup for ‘Best Commercial Vineyard’ and ‘Wine of the Year’ at SWVA 2016
- Gold medals: SWVA 2014, Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) 2015 and 2016, UKVA 2016, and the Top Gold Medal of Sparkling White Class at SWVA 2016
- Silver medals: Decanter World Wine Awards 2015, UKVA 2015, English and Welsh Wine of the Year 2015
- Highly recommended: Decanter Awards 2016
- Wine GB Silver Medal for the Blanc de Blancs in 2021
- IWCS Bronze for the Sparkling Rosé in 2017
Castle Brook has also been recognised on the high street: in 2016, the Classic Cuvée became the first English sparkling wine from a small family vineyard to be listed by Marks & Spencer in selected stores across the UK (Hereford, Monmouth, Gloucester, New Cirencester SF, Bristol Avonmead SF, Cribbs Causeway, Longwell Green, Bristol Yate SF and Chepstow SF), followed by a listing with Waitrose in stores within 30 miles of the vineyard.
How to Buy
Castle Brook's wines can be purchased direct from the cellar through the online shop, where standard UK mainland shipping is £10 per order, with free delivery on orders over £120. Payment is made via PayPal's secure interface (no PayPal account required), or by BACS by contacting the office. The team operates a Challenge 25 policy: couriers will not leave parcels with anyone under 18.
Alternatively, the Classic Cuvée can be found in selected Marks & Spencer stores and on the Waitrose Cellar website, or via local stockists - call or email the team for details.
Food Pairings and the Herefordshire Pantry
The Chinn family have always championed the wider Herefordshire larder alongside their wines. They recommend pairing Castle Brook with locally sourced produce:
- Asparagus from their own Wye Valley Produce fields - the perfect seasonal pairing for the Classic Cuvée (try the Castle Brook & Asparagus Linguine with Pancetta recipe)
- British Cassis from British Cassis - add a dash to a flute of Castle Brook for a classic Kir Royale
- Mannings Juices from Mannings, the local Herefordshire juicers
- Monkland Cheese from Monkland Cheese Dairy
- Tyrrells crisps from Tyrrells
- Frank's Luxury Biscuits from Frank's
- Legges of Bromyard handmade pies from Legges
- Wye Valley blueberries from their sister company Wye Valley Produce
Wedding and Occasion Wine
Castle Brook's Classic Cuvée has long been recommended for English-themed wedding receptions. The vineyard team offer a special tasting bottle code: use BRIDE at the checkout for 10% off. They recommend tasting a variety of fizz styles with friends and family before deciding. A drop of fruit liqueur, such as Herefordshire's British Cassis or Chase Elderflower, is a popular garnish for a personal touch.
Vintage Notes and Tasting Reports
Castle Brook publishes detailed vintage reports and tasting notes for each release. Reports cover the 2015 vintage of the Blanc de Blancs, Sparkling Rosé and Classic Cuvée, all downloadable as PDFs.
Visit and Contact
Castle Brook Vineyard is based in the countryside just south of Ross-on-Wye, near to the A40, in the heart of the Wye Valley.
- Address: Castle Brook Vineyard, Coughton, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5SG
- Telephone: +44 (0) 1989 562770
- Fax: +44 (0) 1989 562622
- Email: office@cobrey.co.uk
For the latest news, vintage reports and pairing recipes, follow Castle Brook on Facebook and Twitter (@CastleBrookwine), or read the official Castle Brook blog.
Why Buy British?
Castle Brook is a proud champion of British produce and English sparkling wine. The team argues that buying local supports the local economy, reduces carbon footprint, offers full traceability, delivers exceptional flavour, and English sparkling wine is always in season.
So whether celebrating a wedding, toasting the Euros or Wimbledon, hosting a summer dinner party, or simply unwinding at the weekend, a glass of Castle Brook from the Chinn family's Wye Valley vineyard is, in their own playful phrase, “Chinn-Chinn!”