Simpsons' Wine Estate: Award-Winning English Wines from the Kent North Downs
Tucked into the chalky slopes of the Elham Valley in the village of Barham, ten minutes south of Canterbury, Simpsons' Wine Estate has quickly become one of the most respected names in English wine. The estate is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Ruth and Charles Simpson, who returned to the UK in 2012 after two decades producing award-winning wines at their southern French property, Domaine Sainte Rose, in the Languedoc. They brought that savoir-faire with them, planting 30 hectares of the classic Champagne trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, on land that forms part of the same chalk ridge that stretches beneath the vineyards of the Côte des Blancs and the Côte d'Or.
Today, the estate produces a portfolio of estate-grown still and Classic Method sparkling wines, all marked by the pure, linear acidity and cool-climate elegance that English wine lovers and a growing band of international critics have come to cherish. Simpsons' became a Walpole Brand of Tomorrow in 2020, was named one of the "50 Most Influential People in British Luxury" on the Walpole Power List in 2022, secured Sustainable Wines of Great Britain certification across both vineyard and winery in 2022, and in February 2026 was announced as the Official Wine Partner of The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
Provenance: chalk, slope and maritime air
Terroir is at the heart of everything Simpsons' does. The vineyards sit in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the North Downs of Kent, on south-facing slopes that capture the day's heat and allow cold air to drain at night. The soils are intensely lime-rich, the same chalk seam that runs beneath Champagne and Burgundy, which is perfect for cultivating the time-honoured trio of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Ancient woodland rings the vineyard blocks, sheltering the vines from the worst of the English weather, and the estate lies less than eight miles from the coast on three sides, providing a maritime buffer against temperature swings.
The Simpsons' first 10 hectares, Roman Road Vineyard, was planted in 2014 alongside the very route that Roman legions marched when they invaded Britain in AD 43. A further 20 hectares, Railway Hill Vineyard, was established to the south of the village between 2016 and 2017, named for the Canterbury to Folkestone light railway that once cut through the site. In May 2022, with the launch of the estate's first non-vintage Chalklands Classic Cuvée to celebrate its tenth anniversary, a third site, Bonny Bush Hill Vineyard, was planted with 35,000 Chardonnay vines across eight hectares of prime chalk terroir, taking the estate to around 38 hectares in total.
Sustainability at the core
From soil health to solar power, sustainability is woven through every decision at Simpsons'. The estate gained full Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) accreditation for both vineyard and winery in July 2022, allowing the SWGB logo to appear on every Simpsons' wine label from the 2022 vintage onwards. A 30kW solar PV array installed in 2021 covers all normal office and winery functionality at optimum production, and the Simpsons' subscribe to the Walpole Sustainability Manifesto, championing a circular economy and traceable, responsible supply chains.
The Method: a winery built around the vines
Simpsons' commitment to minimal intervention starts in the winery itself. In September 2016, wine personality Oz Clarke officially opened the custom-built winery, which sits within walking distance of the two original vineyard sites and roughly equidistant between them. The proximity is deliberate: short distances between vine and press mean less transport, less manipulation, and cleaner juice. The facility was extended in 2019 with two Vaslin-Bucher Inertys presses, chosen to protect juice purity and broaden the flavour spectrum of each variety.
Sparkling by the Great British Classic Method
Every bottle of Simpsons' sparkling is made according to what the team call the Great British Classic Method, the same bottle-fermented, lees-aged approach used in Champagne. Base wines are expertly vinified, then bottled under crown cap with their liqueur de tirage to start the secondary fermentation that creates the elegant, fine bead. The wines then mature for between fifteen months and three years on their lees in the temperature-controlled winery, softening the racy acidity of English fruit and developing those coveted autolytic notes of brioche, pastry and toasted nuts.
Still wines with international acclaim
Where Simpsons' truly broke new ground was in English still wine production. In 2020 the estate's flagship white, The Roman Road Chardonnay 2018, was awarded a Platinum Medal and named "Best in Show" at the Decanter World Wine Awards, placing it among the top 50 wines in the world in that year's competition. The Romans, of course, would have approved: they brought the first vines to Britain, and one suspects they would have recognised the chalky elegance of a Simpsons' Chardonnay 2,000 years on.
Meet the Simpsons
Although Ruth and Charles Simpson are the public face of the estate, the winery is anything but a two-person operation. The team is explicitly international: an Estate Manager from New Zealand, Assistant Winemakers from South Africa and Australia, and colleagues from Slovakia, the US and the UK across marketing, sales, logistics and events. The Simpsons' believe strongly in diversity in the wine industry, working with organisations such as Be Inclusive Hospitality on their "Thrive in Wine" programme and championing women's representation through the WineGB board, of which Ruth is a Director.
Ruth, a fifth-generation descendant of William Grant, founder of the Scottish family behind Glenfiddich and Balvenie, brings more than two decades of humanitarian-sector experience to her role, alongside her wine career. Charles's expertise is rooted in viticulture, having managed the 40-hectare Domaine Sainte Rose in the Languedoc since 2002. Together they have built an estate that is regularly featured in national press, including The Times, The Guardian, Decanter and BBC Radio Kent.
The Simpsons' partner network reads like a who's who of British luxury and food: they are full Walpole members (having joined through the Brands of Tomorrow programme in 2020), founder members of Wine Garden of England, official wine partner of The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, and work closely with neighbour The PIG at Bridge Place, the two-Michelin-Star Hide and Fox restaurant, Macknade food hall, the Cheese Makers of Canterbury, and a host of Kent artisan producers including Annie Brown Aromathérapie, Gilda Bakery, The Oak and Rope Company and local charity partner Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
The wines
Every Simpsons' wine is 100% estate-grown, vegan and vegetarian friendly, and crafted with the lightest possible touch to express the chalk terroir of the North Downs. The current range is split into Still Wines and Sparkling Wines.
Still wines
- Gravel Castle Chardonnay: the bright, entry-level still Chardonnay, made from grapes grown on the gravel-rich upper slopes.
- The Roman Road Chardonnay: the flagship still white. The 2018 vintage scored 97 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards and was named Best in Show. Made from Burgundian still-wine clones, it challenges any lingering scepticism about English still wine.
- Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir: a cool-climate red Burgundy style, destemmed and fermented in small parcels to coax aromatic finesse from the variety.
- Railway Hill Rosé: 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir in a pale, Provençal style. A fixture of Kentish summer afternoons and a regular feature of Great British Rosé Week.
- Derringstone Pinot Meunier: a relatively new single-varietal Pinot Meunier, vinified as a still Blanc de Noirs to show the variety's more textural side.
- Q Class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Magnums: the estate's ultra-premium, super-limited magnums produced only in exceptional vintages, named after the Q Class engines of the old Canterbury - Folkestone light railway. Each bottle is hand-waxed and arrives in a presentation box.
Sparkling wines
- Chalklands Classic Cuvée N.V.: the non-vintage multi-vintage blend (typically 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir). Pale gold, with 12 to 18 months on lees, fresh notes of green apple and flint, with the linear precision and length that has made it a flying favourite. Now available on British Airways Club World flights, where it represents English sparkling among the global cabin offering.
- White Cliffs Blanc de Blancs: 100% estate-grown Chardonnay, named for the proximity to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and the chalk soils beneath. Pale gold with a fine mousse, classic citrus and brioche notes.
- Canterbury Rose Sparkling Rosé: a delicate, fragrant Pinot Noir-led rosé with honeysuckle and wild-strawberry aromatics, long a favourite at the estate's Open House events.
- Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs: the premium English sparkling wine of the range; the 2018 vintage was crowned "National Champion, Best English Sparkling Wine" and "Best in Class - English Blanc de Noirs" at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022.
Mixed cases and magnums
Simpsons' offer a bespoke mixed-case builder, allowing customers to choose their own selection of six or twelve bottles. Magnum formats of the Chalklands Classic Cuvée and the Q Class wines are available for special occasions, and there is also a Sparkling Celebration Mixed Case for those building a cellar of premium English fizz.
Experiences and events at the estate
The Simpsons' Events Team curates a calendar of tastings, tours and dinners throughout the year, all hosted at the estate in Barham. Visits should be booked in advance online or by calling 01227 832200. All experiences are for over-18s only, and unfortunately no dogs (except registered assistance dogs) can be accommodated. Highlights for the season are below.
Core experiences
- Wine Tasting Experience - £25 per person. A 90-minute guided tasting of the award-winning still and sparkling range, hosted in the elegant Glass House Tasting Room with its panoramic view over the working winery. Wines can be purchased afterwards via the cellar door.
- Vineyard & Winery Tour and Tasting Experience - £45 per person. A walking tour of the iconic Roman Road vineyard, a guided look at the winery and Classic Method winemaking, finishing with a tutored tasting of the range. Held on Saturdays and some Friday afternoons.
- Sunset Sessions 2026 - £70 per person. A summer-evening experience combining the vineyard walk, a glass of sparkling under the vines, the winery tour and tasting, and a locally-sourced cheese and charcuterie platter from Macknade of Faversham. Select Friday evenings through Summer 2026.
Limited-edition events
- Wine Dinner with Hide & Fox - £250 per person. The Simpsons' much-loved annual collaboration with two-Michelin-Star Hide & Fox (Chef Patron Allister Barsby and Owner Alice Bussi). The 2026 edition runs on Sunday 13 September from 4pm to 10pm, beginning with a vineyard stroll and a glass of sparkling, followed by five courses in the atmospheric Red Winemaking Quarter cellar, each dish perfectly paired with a Simpsons' wine. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with notice.
Bespoke and private events
Looking for something tailored? The Events Team will happily arrange bespoke and group bookings, private tastings in the Glass House, larger receptions, or full-day itineraries that combine an estate tour with a meal at a nearby partner restaurant such as Hide & Fox or The PIG at Bridge Place. Enquiries should be directed to info@simpsonswine.com.
Accessibility
The Estate is committed to welcoming all visitors. There is ample accessible parking, ground-floor toilets (including a unisex accessible toilet), and the working winery is all on one level for tours. Please note, however, that access to the Glass House Tasting Room is up two flights of stairs. Guests who would prefer a tasting on the ground floor can call 01227 832200 in advance to make the necessary arrangements.
Visit and shop
How to find Simpsons'
The winery is at The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB, just 15 minutes from Canterbury. The entrance is on Church Lane, directly opposite St John the Baptist Church in Barham. Visitors arriving by rail should alight at Canterbury West, where hourly high-speed trains run from London St Pancras; from the station it is a short taxi ride to the estate. Two recommended local firms are Nashat Hamdallah Taxis (07920 424372) and Longleys Taxi Company (01227 710777). There is ample free parking on site, although overnight parking is not available.
Order online
Simpsons' wines, magnums, mixed cases and gifting hampers can be ordered online via the shop for delivery across mainland UK. Gift cards and Tasting Experience gift certificates are also available. UK mainland shipping is charged by the case: 6 bottles £10, 12 bottles £15, 18 bottles £20, 24 bottles £25, with complimentary delivery on orders above £400. Click & Collect is available from the Barham offices during opening hours.
Community and giving back
Supporting the local community is central to the Simpsons' ethos. Their long-standing charity partner is Demelza Hospice Care for Children, which provides specialist care and family support across Kent, South East London and East Sussex. Each Open House event raises funds through ticket sales; the Winter 2022 event alone raised £832, and the Summer 2022 Open House raised a further £740. The Simpsons' have also worked with Pilgrims Hospices, supported Produced in Kent's Christmas Kindness campaign, and contributed to Be Inclusive Hospitality's Thrive in Wine programme.
Why Simpsons' is one to watch
A decade in, Simpsons' Wine Estate has collected a glittering roll-call of awards: Decanter Best in Show for The Roman Road Chardonnay 2018, National Champion Best English Sparkling Wine for Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs 2018 at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022, International Wine Competition gold medals, and a place at 35,000 feet on British Airways Club World. Combined with the estate's status as a Walpole Brand of Tomorrow and its recent appointment as the official wine partner of The Marlowe Theatre, it is hard to think of another English winery that has so thoroughly embedded itself in both the luxury and the local community in such a short space of time.
For visitors to Kent, a tasting at Simpsons' is a chance to see and taste why English wine is being taken seriously around the world. For those further afield, the entire range is available online, with next-working-day dispatch and complimentary delivery on orders over £400. Either way, raise a glass: there is every chance one of the bottles you pop is chalk-born, hand-picked and classically crafted in the North Downs of Kent.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Simpsons' Wine Estate?
The estate is at The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB, in the North Downs of Kent, about a 15-minute drive from Canterbury and a short taxi ride from Canterbury West station.
Do I need to book tours and tastings in advance?
Yes. All tasting experiences and vineyard tours require reservation in advance, either online or by calling 01227 832200.
How much do tours and tastings cost?
The Wine Tasting Experience costs £25 per person, the Vineyard & Winery Tour and Tasting Experience costs £45 per person, the Summer Sunset Sessions cost £70 per person, and the Hide & Fox Wine Dinner costs £250 per person.
Are the wines vegan and vegetarian?
Yes, all Simpsons' wines are vegan and vegetarian friendly.
How do I get my wine delivered?
Simpsons' ships to mainland UK via third-party courier, usually within two working days of dispatch. Shipping is £10 for six bottles, £15 for twelve, £20 for eighteen and £25 for twenty-four, and free on orders over £400.
Can I visit if I am under 18 or have a dog?
Due to the working production environment, all experiences are strictly over-18s only, and dogs are not permitted on the estate except for registered assistance dogs.
Contact details
- Address: The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB
- Phone: +44 (0) 1227 832200
- Email: info@simpsonswine.com
- Events email: theglasshouse@simpsonswine.com
- Website: simpsonswine.com
- Opening hours: Office 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (cellar door purchases and Click & Collect)
- Instagram: @simpsonswine
- Facebook: simpsonswine
- Twitter: @simpsonwine
- LinkedIn: Simpsons' Wine Estate