Riverview Crouch Valley Vineyard: A Family-Run English Wine Estate in Essex
Tucked into the south-westerly slopes of the Crouch Valley in Essex, Riverview Crouch Valley is a small, family-run English vineyard that has quickly earned a reputation for elegant, single-vineyard still wines. Planted by husband-and-wife team Umut and Katie Yesil in 2018, the 10-acre estate overlooks the tidal River Crouch and produces limited quantities of premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - three of the classic cool-climate varieties that thrive in this corner of south-east England.
A vineyard born around a kitchen table
The story of Riverview Crouch Valley began not in a boardroom or with a large corporate investor, but with a conversation around a family kitchen table. Katie Yesil grew up in a household of third-generation arable farmers, and the land her family had worked for decades is exactly where the vineyard now stands. Together with her husband Umut, she turned a long-held dream of planting vines on that land into a meticulously researched and carefully planned reality.
From the first planting in 2018 the couple committed themselves to a slow, considered approach. By the time of the 2025 vintage they are working on their seventh harvest, refining their techniques with each passing year. The result, they say, is fruit of exceptional quality and wines defined by clarity, finesse, and a true sense of place - the kind of terroir-driven English wines that are capturing international attention.
The Crouch Valley: a rising English wine region
The Crouch Valley, in the Rochford district of Essex, sits within one of the most exciting emerging wine regions in the UK. South-westerly facing slopes, free-draining soils and the moderating influence of the River Crouch estuary combine to create a microclimate that is markedly warmer and drier than many inland sites at a similar latitude. As the climate continues to change, areas like the Crouch Valley are increasingly recognised as ideal for the production of high-quality sparkling and still wines from Champagne varieties.
Riverview Crouch Valley's location, with the river just below the vineyard, also contributes a distinctive saline note to the wines - most noticeable in the rosé - that speaks directly of the maritime environment in which the grapes are grown.
Regenerative and sustainable viticulture
From the outset, Umut and Katie chose to manage their vineyard along regenerative and sustainable lines. Soil health, biodiversity and ecological balance sit at the heart of their philosophy. There is no herbicide use on the estate; instead, the team relies on mechanical undervine management, working the land with metal rather than chemicals.
Why regenerative viticulture matters
- It encourages a rich and varied ecosystem of beneficial insects, fungi and microorganisms within and around the vineyard.
- It builds long-term soil structure and organic matter, rather than depleting it.
- It reduces the vineyard's dependence on synthetic inputs, supporting the wider environment of the Crouch estuary.
- It allows the vines to express the character of the site more honestly in the finished wine.
This hands-on, low-intervention approach is labour-intensive, but it is central to the style of wine the family is trying to make - wines that taste of the place, not of the winery's interventions.
The wines of Riverview Crouch Valley
The vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - a classic Burgundian and Champagne trio that has proven itself across the cooler wine regions of the world. The current release is the 2025 Pinot Noir Rosé, while a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the same vintage are still maturing in tank and barrel and will be released in 2027.
2025 Pinot Noir Rosé
The 2025 vintage marks the first commercial release of a still rosé from Riverview Crouch Valley. It is a beautifully dry, pale English rosé with crisp acidity and a bright, elegant palate of red berries, vibrant citrus, delicate tropical notes and a subtle saline finish - that last element a direct reflection of the vineyard's close proximity to the River Crouch.
Made exclusively from hand-harvested Pinot Noir, the grapes were picked on 29 September 2025 from the family's 10-acre site. In the winery, the juice was fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation, preserving the freshness and purity of fruit. A short, carefully judged three- to four-hour skin contact gives the wine its delicate pale colour and refined structure.
- Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
- Harvest date: 29 September 2025
- Vinification: Stainless steel fermentation, no malolactic fermentation
- Skin contact: 3 - 4 hours
- ABV: 13.5%
- Price: £25.00 per bottle
The rosé is sold direct from the vineyard through the Riverview Crouch Valley shop, with free UK delivery on orders of two or more bottles and an estimated delivery time of 3 - 5 working days. New customers can take 15% off their first order with the code SUMMER.
Coming soon: 2025 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Looking further ahead, the family has confirmed that their bestselling Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from the 2025 vintage will be released in 2027. These wines are being held back to allow the fruit to develop the depth and complexity the team is looking for. Customers can subscribe to the vineyard's email newsletter to be notified when they become available.
Visiting Riverview Crouch Valley
As a young, family-run estate still in the process of building its production and hospitality offering, Riverview Crouch Valley currently focuses on direct-to-customer wine sales rather than large-scale cellar-door tourism. The vineyard does not yet offer a formal tours and tastings programme and does not currently run a public events calendar. Those wishing to follow the estate's progress and learn about future visitor opportunities can subscribe to the vineyard's email newsletter.
Buying Riverview Crouch Valley wines
All current releases are sold directly through the Riverview Crouch Valley online shop. At the moment the shop carries a single product, the 2025 Pinot Noir Rosé, but it is clearly set up to grow as the 2027 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir releases come on stream.
Delivery and offers
- Estimated UK delivery: 3 - 5 working days
- Free delivery on orders of two or more bottles
- 15% off first order with code SUMMER
- Newsletter subscribers are notified first about new releases and exclusive special offers
Buying direct from the estate is the best way to access the full range, secure limited allocations and stay close to the family behind the project.
The people behind the vineyard
Riverview Crouch Valley remains very much a family business. Umut and Katie Yesil are the founders and hands-on operators, supported by Katie's family of third-generation farmers whose long stewardship of the land underpins the entire venture. The pair combine practical farming heritage with the meticulous research and planning required to establish and run a quality-focused English vineyard, and their story is increasingly typical of a new generation of British wine producers who are quietly redefining what English wine can be.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Riverview Crouch Valley vineyard?
The vineyard is located on Lower Road in Hockley, Essex, on the south-westerly slopes of the Crouch Valley overlooking the River Crouch. The postcode is SS5 5LR.
When was Riverview Crouch Valley established?
The vineyard was planted in 2018 by Umut and Katie Yesil. The 2025 vintage is their seventh harvest.
Which grape varieties are grown?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - three of the classic cool-climate varieties used in both still and sparkling wine production.
Which wines are currently available?
The 2025 Pinot Noir Rosé (£25.00 per bottle) is the only wine in commercial release at present. A Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the same vintage are scheduled for release in 2027.
Does the vineyard use herbicides or chemicals?
No. The vineyard is managed using regenerative and sustainable practices, with no herbicide use. Undervine management is carried out mechanically.
Can I visit the vineyard?
The vineyard does not yet offer a formal tours or tastings programme. Future visitor opportunities will be shared with subscribers to the vineyard's email newsletter.
How do I buy the wines?
Wines are sold direct through the Riverview Crouch Valley online shop, with free UK delivery on orders of two or more bottles.
How can I contact the vineyard?
The vineyard can be contacted by email at info@riverviewcrouchvalley.com, or by post at Lower Road, Hockley, SS5 5LR, United Kingdom.
A young Essex estate to watch
Riverview Crouch Valley is a small, focused and quietly ambitious English wine estate. With a clear vineyard philosophy, a careful selection of varieties, and a willingness to take the long view on quality - most obviously in the decision to hold the 2025 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir back until 2027 - it is the kind of project that tends to define the best of the modern English wine scene. For those interested in tasting the growing character of the Crouch Valley, the 2025 Pinot Noir Rosé is the perfect place to start.