Simpsons' Wine Estate: English Wines of Provenance on the North Downs of Kent
Simpsons' Wine Estate: A Family Venture on the Chalk Slopes of Kent
Nestled in the pristine beauty of the Elham Valley, an unspoilt seam in the North Downs of Kent, Simpsons' Wine Estate has, in little over a decade, established itself as one of the most highly respected producers of English still and sparkling wine. The Estate was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Ruth and Charles Simpson, who brought two decades of winemaking expertise from their 40-hectare southern French property, Domaine Sainte Rose in the Languedoc, back to the chalk terroir of their homeland. Their guiding philosophy is that the finest wines convey a rich sense of provenance and integrity, firmly rooted in the characteristics and nuances of their terroir, and every glass of Simpsons' English wine is designed to lead you back to the North Downs.
Provenance: Three Vineyards, One Exceptional Terroir
Simpsons' vineyards occupy glorious positions on the sunny, sheltered slopes around the picturesque village of Barham, protected from the whimsy of the English climate by ancient woodland and anchored in the iconic chalky soils so highly revered in the world of both still and sparkling wine. The Estate lies within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with views over gently undulating English countryside towards the distinctive copper-green spire of the village church.
- Roman Road Vineyard - The Estate's original ten hectares were planted in 2014 with Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, situated alongside the route the Romans first marched when invading England in AD 43. The Romans are credited with bringing the first vines to England and may well have planted them on these very hillsides.
- Railway Hill Vineyard - A further twenty hectares of the same three grape varieties were established on the sunny slopes south of Barham in 2016 and 2017. The vineyard takes its name from the Canterbury-to-Folkestone light railway that passed through the site in the late 19th and first half of the 20th century.
- Bonny Bush Hill Vineyard - Planted in May 2022 to mark the Estate's tenth anniversary, this eight-hectare site lies less than two miles from the winery and is dedicated to 35,000 Chardonnay vines across four specially-selected Burgundian still wine clones, further increasing production of Simpsons' acclaimed still wines.
The Estate's intensely lime-rich chalk soil forms part of the same chalk ridge that stretches from southern England to the French Champagne region and on to Burgundy. It is free-draining yet able to absorb water, protecting the vines from thirst even in the driest of periods. Located less than eight miles from the coast on three sides, Simpsons' enjoys a strongly maritime influence that insulates the fruit against intense variations in temperature and provides a long, cool ripening period ideally suited to creating wines with pure varietal flavours, elegant acidity and subtly sophisticated aromas.
Method: A Lighter Touch from Vine to Bottle
At Simpsons', no aspect of viticulture or winemaking is outsourced - a reflection of the team's belief in balance, detail and integrity. Their winemaking methods have been carefully chosen to promote the purest expression of the fruit and their Kentish terroir, with as little intervention as possible. As winemakers working in what they believe to be the most dynamic wine-producing region of the world, Simpsons' are unhampered by the weight of old-world tradition and take a fresher approach, hand-picking from both time-honoured traditions and modern technology.
Renowned wine personality Oz Clarke opened the custom-created winery in September 2016. Located within walking distance of the two original vineyard sites and equidistant between them, the proximity of the winery to the vines is crucial to ensure minimal transportation and manipulation of the grapes during harvest. Extended in 2019, the winery now houses two Vaslin Bucher Inertys grape presses, specially selected to protect the purity of the juice and expand the potential flavour spectrum of each grape variety. The Estate now has the capacity to produce upwards of 250,000 bottles per year.
Each bottle of Simpsons' sparkling wine is created according to the Great British Classic Method. Base wines are expertly vinified, then bottled and sealed under crown cap with their liqueur de tirage - a carefully crafted combination of yeast and sugar - at which point the secondary fermentation begins, generating fine, perfectly formed bubbles. Once fermentation is complete, each bottle matures for between fifteen months and three years (depending on the particular wine style), in the meticulously monitored conditions of the winery, allowing the emergence and development of highly desirable autolytic flavours.
Award-Winning English Wines
Simpsons' is increasingly heralded both nationally and internationally as one of the finest English wine producers. Their flagship still wine, The Roman Road Chardonnay 2018, was awarded a Platinum Medal and the supreme accolade of Best in Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 - a title bestowed only upon the top 50 wines entered into what is the largest and most influential international wine competition. The Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs 2018 followed in 2022, crowned National Champion, Best English Sparkling Wine, at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, alongside the Best in Class, English Blanc de Noirs award.
The Still Wine Range
- The Roman Road Chardonnay 2023 - Simpsons' flagship still Chardonnay, made from still-wine varietal clones and crafted to challenge the perception of English still wines both nationally and internationally.
- Gravel Castle Chardonnay 2025 - Bright, zesty and richly textured, named after a parcel of vineyard on free-draining chalk.
- Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir 2024 - Estate-grown Pinot Noir showing the cool-climate elegance possible on the North Downs.
- Railway Hill Rosé 2023 - A delicate, Provençal-style Pinot Noir rosé with bright aromas of watermelon and crushed strawberries, crisp redcurrant flavours and a delightfully smooth texture.
- Derringstone Pinot Meunier 2023 - A Blanc de Noirs showcasing the potential of Burgundian Meunier clones on Kentish chalk.
The Sparkling Wine Range
- Chalklands Classic Cuvée N.V. - The flagship non-vintage sparkling wine, a blend of 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier and 40% Pinot Noir with 12 - 18 months of lees ageing. Pure gold in colour with a delicate mousse and a fresh nose of crisp green apple and flint.
- Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs 2021 - Premium English sparkling wine created from estate-grown Pinot Noir Clone 115, selected for its full-bodied style and luxurious mouth-feel.
- White Cliffs Blanc de Blancs 2020 - 100% estate-grown Chardonnay, named after the iconic cliffs of Dover visible from the Estate.
- Canterbury Rose Sparkling Rosé 2022 - Sparkling rosé with delicate honeysuckle and fresh raspberry sorbet nose, wild strawberry and smooth lychee on the palate.
The Magnum and Limited-Release Range
- Q Class 2022 Chardonnay Magnum and Q Class 2022 Pinot Noir Magnum - Super-premium still wines named after the powerful yet elegant Q Class engines that once traversed the Canterbury to Folkestone light railway. Released only in remarkable vintages, hand-sealed with wax and presented in beautiful gift boxes.
- Chalklands Classic Cuvée N.V. - Extended Lees Ageing - Magnum & Gift Box - A prestige cuvée with extended lees ageing, presented in magnum and gift box.
Experiences and Tours at the Estate
Simpsons' Events Team has curated a range of experiences for guests to enjoy. Due to operating a strict production environment, the Estate is unable to accommodate guests under 18 or dogs (except registered assistance dogs), and all tastings and tours require advance reservation by telephone on 01227 832200.
Wine Tasting Experience - £25 per person
A succinct and sumptuous 90-minute guided tasting, scheduled across the week. Guests are welcomed into the elegant Glass House Tasting Room, which offers a wonderful vantage point overlooking the world-class winery, and guided through a very special tasting of Simpsons' award-winning still and sparkling wines. Wines are available to purchase afterwards via the Cellar Door. Book the Wine Tasting Experience.
Vineyard & Winery Tour and Tasting Experience - £45 per person
Held on Saturdays and some Friday afternoons, this experience begins with a walking tour of the iconic Roman Road vineyard - weather permitting - where guests learn how the vines are planted, trained, nurtured and harvested. Returning to the winery, the tour continues with a guided exploration of the art of Simpsons' award-winning still and Classic Method winemaking, culminating in a tasting in the Glass House Tasting Room. Book the Vineyard Tour.
Sunset Sessions 2026 - £70 per person
A select number of Friday evenings during Summer 2026, the Sunset Sessions begin with a walk to the Roman Road Vineyard and a glass of Simpsons' sparkling wine, followed by a tour of the winery, a tasting of current release wines in the Glass House Tasting Room, and a locally-sourced cheese and charcuterie platter provided by Macknade. The evening ends with a trip down the Estate's helter-skelter. Book Sunset Sessions.
Wine Dinner with Hide & Fox - £250 per person
On Sunday 13 September 2026, 4pm - 10pm, Simpsons' hosts its fifth year of wine dinners with the two-Michelin-Star team at Hide and Fox. The evening begins with a stroll through Barham to the Roman Road Vineyard for a glass of sparkling wine, then continues in the Glass House Tasting Room with appetisers and a second sparkling pour, before moving to the atmospheric Red Winemaking Quarter in the cellar for a five-course dinner by Chef Patron Allister Barsby and Owner Alice Bussi, each dish perfectly paired with a Simpsons' wine. Book the Wine Dinner.
Gifting and Mixed Cases
The Simpsons' online shop offers wines by the bottle or case, plus a range of limited-edition gifting options. Simpsons' Gift Hampers (historically priced £95 - £135) include products from partners at Noble Isle and The PIG hotels, plus a bottle of award-winning Chalklands Classic Cuvée and a Tasting Experience for Two. A Bespoke Mixed Case Builder lets customers create their own selection of six or twelve bottles, and a digital Gift Card is also available. The Simpsons' Ice Bucket and Stopper makes a handsome accompaniment. UK mainland delivery costs £10 for six bottles, £15 for twelve, £20 for eighteen and £25 for twenty-four, with complimentary delivery on orders above £400.
Sustainability and Accreditation
In line with the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain certification scheme, Simpsons' objectives in the vineyard are to maintain and improve soil health, conserve the vineyard environment and promote biodiversity, reduce pesticide and fertiliser inputs, and reduce the carbon footprint per hectare. In 2021 a 30kw solar PV array was installed, which at optimum production covers all normal office and winery functionality. Simpsons' also subscribes to the Walpole Sustainability Manifesto and applied these principles to all product development, with particular emphasis on packaging recyclability. In July 2022 both the Vineyard and Winery teams achieved their Sustainability Certification, meaning the SWGB trademark can be displayed on Simpsons' wine labels from the 2022 vintage onwards.
People, Partners and Recognition
Simpsons' is a family-focused, internationally-minded team. The Estate Manager is from New Zealand, with Assistant Winemakers from Australia and South Africa, and the entire team is united in pioneering new styles and enhancing the reputation of English wine. In 2020 the founders were named two of the "50 Most Influential People in British Luxury" on the Walpole Power List, in the Custodians category, and the Estate was selected as one of Walpole's Brands of Tomorrow. Simpsons' is also a founder member of the Wine Garden of England partnership, a group of Kent's industry pioneers committed to creating a world-class wine trail and visitor experience.
In February 2026 Simpsons' Wine Estate became the Official Wine Partner of The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, listing Gravel Castle Chardonnay, Railway Hill Rosé, Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir and Chalklands Classic Cuvée NV across the theatre's bars and Green Room restaurant. The Estate has a long-standing relationship with The PIG at Bridge Place and is a proud supporter of Demelza Hospice Care for Children, raising thousands of pounds at its annual Open House events.
Visiting the Estate
The entrance to Simpsons' Wine Estate is on Church Lane, Barham, directly opposite St John the Baptist Church, a fifteen-minute drive from Canterbury. The Estate is a short taxi journey from Canterbury West station, where hourly high-speed trains from London St Pancras stop. Recommended taxi providers include Nashat Hamdillah Taxis (07920 424372) and Longleys Taxi Company (01227 710777). Ample onsite parking is available, with easy drop-off and collection from the winery; however, overnight parking is not permitted. The Winery is on one level for tours, with doorways suitable for wheelchair users, and a unisex accessible toilet is available on the ground floor. Access to the Glass House Tasting Room is up two flights of stairs - call 01227 832200 to discuss accessibility arrangements.
Contact Details
- Address: The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB
- Telephone: 01227 832200 (international: +44 (0) 1227 832200)
- Email: info@simpsonswine.com
- Cancellations & experience queries: theglasshouse@simpsonswine.com
- Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
The winery is active on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.