Hattingley Valley: Award-Winning English Sparkling & Still Wines from Hampshire
Hattingley Valley is one of the headline names of modern English wine. Tucked into the Hampshire countryside near the village of Lower Wield, a few miles from the market town of New Alresford, the family-owned winery has grown in just over a decade and a half from a single farm diversification project into one of the most decorated producers of traditional-method English sparkling wine in the country. It is also one of the UK's largest contract winemakers, a respected global exporter and the home of Entice, the ice-wine-style English dessert wine that has done as much as anything to put Hattingley on the map.
A Winery Built on a Field, a Bomb Crater and a Cup of Tea
Hattingley Valley started, as so many of the best English wine stories do, with a single idea on a single farm. In 2008 the Robinson family, led by owner Simon Robinson, planted their very first vineyard on land that had previously grown cereal crops. The first complication was wartime rather than agricultural: a deep dip running through the middle of the field turned out to be a Second World War bomb crater, and the German planting team led by Ernst was unimpressed. A neighbour's history lesson over a cup of tea resolved the mystery, and a joke about Ernst's predecessors having left the hole did the rest. The team pressed on, planting the rows arrow-straight regardless.
The first wine was made in 2010 in a winery Simon Robinson had purpose-built on the site of a former chicken farm. The original plan had been to keep just part of the site for wine and rent out the rest as industrial units; that idea lasted only as long as the first vintage. Within a year, every building on the farm had been claimed by tanks, barrels and bottles, and Hattingley had effectively become a full winery estate. That instinct to expand has held: today the site is one of the most established wineries in the UK, with capacity of more than 450 tonnes and a strong claim to be at the forefront of English winemaking technology.
If the first lesson was about land, the second was about weather. The notorious 2012 summer, one of the coolest and wettest on record, wiped out the harvest and forced Hattingley to rethink its grape sourcing. Up until then it had relied entirely on its own vineyards; from 2013 onwards the winery began working with growers across England. What looked like a defensive decision turned out to be a creative one. Sourcing from multiple regions gave the winemakers a much broader blending palette to work with and helped shape the distinctive House Style Hattingley is known for today.
The Hattingley Winemaking Philosophy
Hattingley produces its sparkling wines exclusively by the traditional method, the same secondary fermentation in bottle used in Champagne, but the winery's signature is the subtle use of oak. A proportion of each vintage is fermented and aged in oak barrels before blending, and base wines may spend up to eight or nine months in barrel or tank before being assembled and bottled for the second fermentation. From tirage to disgorgement, a Hattingley sparkling can spend anywhere between 18 months and seven years maturing on its lees, which is why the winery's flagship and prestige cuvées carry such depth of flavour.
Under the initial guidance of former Head Winemaker Emma Rice, the winery was kitted out with some of the most advanced equipment in the country, including temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks alongside the oak programme. Today the winemaking team is led by Head Winemaker Rob MacCulloch MW (who celebrated his third anniversary in 2025), supported by a broader team of Winemakers, Vineyard, Production, Lab, Tours and Sales & Marketing staff. Simon Robinson has also championed professional development: in 2016 Hattingley launched the UK's first winery apprenticeship programme, run bi-annually, and funded extended placements for winemakers in regions from Central Otago to Champagne.
Vineyards and Grape Sources
Hattingley manages 9 hectares of its own vineyard in Hampshire across two distinct sites, Chalky Hill and the original New Site, planted primarily with the classic Champagne varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, plus small parcels of Bacchus and Pinot Gris for the aromatic and still wines. Working predominantly to a single Guyot system, the vineyard team selects a pencil-thick cane each winter as the new fruiting arm, removes last year's horizontal fruited cane, and cuts lower shoots back to two or three buds to form a renewal spur. The chosen cane is trimmed to around 60 - 90cm (eight to ten buds), then bent and tied to the lower trellis wire to encourage even bud break, a meticulous, hands-on process overseen by Vineyard Manager Colin Hayward.
Because English weather is what it is, Hattingley also works in long-term partnership with growers right across the country, a network that now supplies the majority of the fruit going into its blended sparkling wines, still wines and contract winemaking projects for other labels.
The Hattingley Sparkling Wine Portfolio
The Core Sparkling Trio
The beating heart of the Hattingley range, and the best place for newcomers to start, is the gift-boxed Core Trio.
- Classic Reserve NV - from £38.00. The flagship wine. A blend of 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier, aged on the lees for four years and subtly oak-fermented. Pale gold with a fine, persistent mousse, it bursts with white blossom, orange peel and sweet brioche, giving way to creamy lemon curd and apple pastries with a smooth, nutty finish. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. See the bottle.
- Rosé 2021 - from £43.00. A delicate English sparkling rosé made from 72% Pinot Noir and 28% Pinot Meunier, aged three years on the lees with a touch of oak. Strawberry, raspberry and cherry plum fruit, buttery shortbread texture, refreshing acidity. Designed to partner afternoon tea, scones, or a charcuterie board. See the bottle.
- Blanc de Blancs 2019 - from £51.00. 100% Chardonnay with extended lees ageing, partial malolactic fermentation and gentle oak. Apple blossom and English pear on the nose, citrus zest and key lime pie on the palate, creamy texture and clean finish. Frequently described as the winemakers' favourite and what Hattingley calls "the Chef's wine" for its versatility with food. See the bottle.
All three bottles come together in The Giftboxed Trio for £147.00: three 75cl bottles in individual gift boxes, the easiest single purchase for anyone who wants to taste the heart of the range.
The Prestige Tier: Kings Cuvée and Kings Rosé
For landmark occasions, Hattingley's "Kings" tier offers two prestige cuvées made only in exceptional years.
- Kings Cuvée 2017 - from £91.00. A blend of 45% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir and 28% Pinot Meunier, barrel-matured for seven months and aged more than six years on the lees. Pale gold, vibrant citrus and honey aromas, layers of brioche, vanilla and creamy oak. The 2014 vintage won the Vintners' Trophy, the Mike Roberts Trophy for Best Classic Cuvée Vintage, the Gore-Browne Trophy for Supreme Champion and Top Regional Winner Wessex at the 2020 WineGB Awards.
- Kings Rosé 2015 - from £98.00. Made from just six of the finest barrels: 47% Pinot Noir, 42% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay and 1% Pinot Précoce. Barrel-fermented for seven months and aged nearly a decade on the lees, it is ethereal pale pink with delicate mousse, fresh brioche aromas, raspberry and red cane fruit, finishing with red apple and first-pick strawberries. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The English Gent: Aroma-Driven Sparkling
The English Gent 2022 is Hattingley's most individual sparkler: a traditional-method blend of 52% Bacchus and 48% Pinot Gris, priced from just £24.00. Pale lemon in colour with elderflower and white blossom aromas, mango skin and Granny Smith apple on the palate, finishing with subtle root ginger and bright acidity. Vegan-friendly and arguably the most food-flexible bottle in the portfolio, pairing happily with roast chicken, grilled fish or simply a sunny afternoon.
Magnums, Cases and Discovery Packs
Hattingley makes essentially every one of its core and prestige wines in Magnum format (1.5l), with magnums priced individually and as part of mixed sets:
- Classic Reserve NV Magnum - £90.00
- Rosé 2017 Magnum - £100.00
- Blanc de Blancs 2017 Magnum - £120.00
- The Magnum Duo (1× Classic Reserve Magnum + 1× Rosé Magnum) - £190.00
- The Big Three Magnum Case (Classic Reserve + Rosé + Blanc de Blancs) - £310.00
Cases of six 75cl bottles are available across the range, including the all-purpose Sparkling Range Case at £264.00 (2× Classic Reserve NV, 2× Rosé 2021, 2× Blanc de Blancs 2019) and the discovery-friendly Mixed Tasting Case at £274.00. Single-cultivar six-packs include Classic Reserve (£228.00), Rosé 2021 (£258.00), Blanc de Blancs 2019 (£306.00), Kings Cuvée 2017 (£546.00) and The English Gent 2022 (£144.00). The A Case of Kings Rosé 2015 (£588.00) and the A Case of Mixed Kings - 3× Kings Cuvée and 3× Kings Rosé for £567.00 - are the ultimate prestige collections. Personalised bottles (glass-etched) are also available for an additional charge, hand-engraved locally and shipped separately via Royal Mail 24hr tracked, age-verified delivery.
Still Wine: Entice Dessert Wine
Entice 2025 - New Vintage
Hattingley's flagship still wine is Entice, an ice-wine-style dessert wine made from 100% Bacchus. The 2025 vintage, the new release, has been given a refreshed look, with a new Sauternes-shaped bottle and a silver butterfly label, but the recipe and the elegant, balanced style remain the same. Priced from £27.00 a bottle (with a six-bottle A Case of Entice 2025 at £162.00), Entice is intensely aromatic with notes of lemon zest, honeysuckle, lychee, ripe peach, pineapple and lemon curd, finishing long and vibrant. It pairs beautifully with blue cheese, paté or summer pudding, and thanks to the new screw cap will keep fresh in the fridge for up to three weeks once opened.
Gift Sets, Accessories and Vouchers
Hattingley is one of the few UK wineries whose gifting range genuinely looks the part.
- Hattingley Luxury Celebration Gift Set - from £83.00. Available as a single bottle set with two branded tulip flutes, a waiter's friend and bottle stopper, or as a duo or trio with your chosen wine(s) from Classic Reserve, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs or Kings Cuvée.
- Happy Birthday Luxury Gift Set - from £83.00. The same set in a navy gift box with gold faux ribbon and embossed gold butterflies.
- Luxury Gift Set with Rose Quartz Necklace - £100.00. The flagship gift for an extra-special recipient.
- Sparkling Classics Luxury Gift Set - £157.00. A trio of the core sparkling wines in a luxury gift box.
Wedding packages can also be tailored, from 24 bottles ("for the modest bash", roughly 144 glasses) through 60 bottles ("not so modest") to 120 bottles ("the bloody big bash", around 720 glasses), each with a complimentary wine tasting for two at the winery and options for engraved gift sets or magnums.
On the accessories side, Hattingley sells its own Bottle Stoppers (£12.00), Glass Flutes (£50.00 for six), the practical Sparkling Wine Claw (£15.00) and a branded Tote Bag (£10.00). Digital Gift Cards and Physical Gift Cards are available from £30.00 each, ideal as flexible presents.
Winemaker Tours and Tastings
Tours run from Hattingley's winery at Wield Yard, Lower Wield, just seven miles from the market town of New Alresford. The standard Winery Tour and Tasting Experience costs £30.00 per person and runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; pre-booking is recommended to secure a place. The private Tour and Tasting is offered on weekdays (Monday - Thursday) or Friday mornings for small groups, family gatherings or events of up to 50 guests, with a minimum of 10 days' notice. Gift vouchers for both tours are available to buy.
Useful practicalities: there is on-site parking, the tours are accessible-friendly (with steps on the route so worth flagging in advance), and booking is made through the online shop. The address is Hattingley Valley Wines, Wield Yard, Lower Wield, Nr Alresford SO24 9RX, and the what3words reference ///princely.mascot.polished will take you right to the door.
Events and Where to Find Hattingley on the Road
Hattingley runs wine tourism and trade activity throughout the year. The recurring headline event is the Winery Tour and Tasting Experience, available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Hampshire winery, with Private Tour bookings open across the week by arrangement. Hattingley also travels further afield, appearing at events like the New Forest Show (28th, 29th, 30th July) and the collective Vineyards of Hampshire Festive Fizz dates. To enquire about bespoke events, contact Rebecca Fisher at rebecca.fisher@hattingleyvalley.co.uk.
Travel, Stay and Eat Around the Winery
Local recommendations cluster around three categories: where to stay, where to eat and what to explore, including country pubs, country-house hotels and Hampshire countryside walks within easy reach of the cellar door. The Yew Tree in neighbouring Lower Wield is a particular favourite for lunch after a tour.
Awards and Recognition
Hattingley Valley is one of the most decorated wineries in England, with more than 230 medals, 16 trophies and numerous other accolades to its name at the highest-level international competitions. Highlights from the awards archive include:
- Blanc de Blancs 2014 - English Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Trophy & English Sparkling Trophy at the IWC 2023.
- Kings Cuvée 2014 - Supreme Champion, Best Classic Cuvée Vintage, Top Regional Winner Wessex and Vintners' Trophy at the 2020 WineGB Awards.
- Sparkling Rosé 2017 - Best English Rosé at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championship 2020.
- Kings Cuvée 2013 - the Norman Cowderoy Founder's Trophy for Most Outstanding Prestige Cuvée, WineGB 2018.
- Blanc de Blancs 2011 Magnum - World Champion Blanc de Blancs Trophy, Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2017.
- Emma Rice - Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2014 and 2016.
Most recent 2025 - 2026 award highlights include Silver and Gold medals for Classic Reserve NV, Rosé 2022/2021, Blanc de Blancs 2019, Kings Cuvée 2017, Kings Rosé 2015, Entice 2025 and Blanc de Noirs 2021 at WineGB, IWC, IWSC and Decanter.
Beyond the Cellar Door: Trade, Export and Corporate
Hattingley is one of the UK's larger exporters of English wine, with established partners in Europe (Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, including the Oslo Wine Agency, Switzerland and Sweden), Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific market, and the USA (with importers including Zen Asia, Vinaccess Global and JCJ Importing). International consumer enquiries should go to chris.unger@hattingleyvalley.co.uk. UK trade enquiries (on and off-trade) go via Jonathan Day at jonathan.day@hattingleyvalley.co.uk.
For corporate gifting, the range covers branded gift sets, single, duo and trio luxury boxes, personalised bottles, hampers, magnums and volume discount pricing. Contact the office for details.
Kings Club and Rewards
Hattingley's free customer loyalty scheme has two halves. Joining the Kings Club mailing list gets you 10% off your first order plus news of new releases. The Hattingley Rewards scheme then lets you earn 10 "grapes" for every £1 spent, redeemable as £5, £10 or £20 vouchers once you cross the threshold. There are Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers (2,000 / 5,000 grapes) with bonus grapes on tier-up, and additional ways to earn include writing product reviews, following the brand on social media, completing your birthday details and referring a friend (15% off for both parties). Vouchers require a £60 minimum spend and cannot be used on accessories, luxury gift sets, still wines, mixed cases, personalised bottles, tours and events, or gift cards.
Shipping, Returns and Customer Service
The winery aims to process and dispatch orders the same day if placed before 10am Monday - Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), with a 48-hour delivery window via Royal Mail, DHL or APC. UK mainland flat-rate shipping is £6.99, automatically waived at £70 and above; Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, Wight and Scilly are quoted case-by-case via email to orders@hattingleyvalley.co.uk. Age verification applies (18+). Payments accepted: Visa, Mastercard, AMEX and PayPal. A 20% Blue Light Card discount is also available on the Core Sparkling Wine Collection; contact the team to receive a code.
Visiting Hattingley Valley
- Address: Hattingley Valley Wines, Wield Yard, Lower Wield, Nr Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9RX
- what3words:
///princely.mascot.polished - Phone: 01256 389188
- Email (general): customercare@hattingleyvalley.co.uk
- Email (tours): tours@hattingleyvalley.co.uk
- Email (press): channing.jones@hattingleyvalley.co.uk
- Shop: hattingleyvalley.com
- Trade & Distribution: jonathan.day@hattingleyvalley.co.uk
- Export: chris.unger@hattingleyvalley.co.uk
Hattingley Valley is one of the UK's most compelling case studies in how quickly a regional English winery can mature into an internationally respected brand. Whether tasting Classic Reserve NV in a Hampshire field, raising a Kings Cuvée at a wedding, or pulling a cork of Entice after Sunday lunch, the same meticulous, oak-touched, traditional-method philosophy runs through every bottle. The winery is active on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest.