Hush Heath Estate in Kent, one of England's top premium wine producers, has been developing its Balfour 1503 traditional method English sparkling wines since 2014. Today these wines, all made from estate grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, can be found in wine aisles across the UK priced from under £20 per bottle. On an international level, Balfour 1503 Rosé is now the first and only English wine in Ontario in Canada, available from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), which is the biggest single buyer of wine in the world.

Every bottle of Balfour 1503 has been crafted by winemakers Owen Elias and Victoria Ash to deliver wines that are typically English (vibrant acidity, fresh fruit flavours) and Hush Heath Estate's signature finesse, to customers of Majestic, M&S, Co-op, and most recently in the UK, Tesco.

The name of Balfour 1503 references Hush Heath Estate's history and draws attention to the provenance of the wine.  Built in 1503, Hush Heath Manor, home of the Balfour-Lynn family, remains at the heart of the estate and overlooks its vineyards, orchards, and winery.

Each Balfour 1503 cuvée has been developed individually from a range of base wines and expresses subtle differences unique to each blend.

Balfour 1503 Classic Cuvée and Rosé

Created in 2014, Balfour 1503 launched as Hush Heath Estate's first non-vintage sparkling wines; a Classic Cuvée and Rosé, which were launched initially throughout the Majestic chain at an RRP of £19.99 (Mix Six Price).  The goal of the Hush Heath team was to produce typically English, stylistically soft and fruity, affordable wines that were accessible to consumers on a national level.  The wines were a runaway success with Balfour 1503 Classic Cuvée winning gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2016, and Balfour 1503 Rosé is now also available in Tesco and can be found on the lists of some large restaurant groups.

Balfour 1503 Oast House Classic Cuvée and Rosé exclusive to M&S, RRP £22.00

Next Hush Heath Estate joined with M&S and planned to develop a style of Balfour 1503 suited specifically to the tastes of M&S customers and to fit alongside their already existing range of English wines. The result is the Balfour 1503 Oast House Cuvée range (Classic Cuvée and Rosé), which launched regionally in 2015 and gained national listings in 2016. 

Balfour 1503 Foxwood Cuvée exclusive to Co-op, RRP £16.99

In 2016, and as part of the Co-op's extensive relaunch, Hush Heath Estate and the local convenience retailer – two businesses sharing values of provenance, quality, and craftsmanship – worked together to launch a new English sparkling wine.  The resulting blend is Balfour 1503 Foxwood Cuvée, with grapes sourced from the newest vineyard at Hush Heath Estate, incorporating young, vibrant fruit, and a small percentage of Pinot Gris.

Hush Heath Estate sales director Hilary Green comments:

“As a boutique, family-owned winery we are able to respond relatively quickly to the tastes and needs of our customers, and we recognised a gap for affordable English fizz of excellent quality and provenance.  All of Hush Heath's products are the best possible expression of our estate-grown fruit and share our signature style: clean, pure and elegant fruit flavours with typical English acidity. 

“We have close partnerships with businesses and buyers across the UK and produce distinctive styles of first-class English sparkling wine to satisfy the thirst of their customers, and all of our Balfour 1503 wines are available at very accessible price points.  By making our Hush Heath Estate wines available in retailers nationwide we are inviting wine lovers to not only enjoy our high quality fizz but to also embark on an English wine journey and visit our immaculate vineyards and winery, and experience our excellent hospitality in Kent.”

ENDS 

Notes to Editors

Only an hour from London, Hush Heath Estate is highly accessible to visitors seeking a quality wine estate experience in a stunning English vineyard and for those seeking a staycation in The Garden of England, Kent. 

The 400 acre estate is open to visitors seven days a week, including Bank Holidays, from 11am to 5pm.  Walk-in tastings are complimentary and include three samples of award-winning Hush Heath Estate wines and ciders – perfect after a stroll through the beautiful vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands.  There is no need to book in advance. 

Throughout the year subject to reservation, Hush Heath's winery experts offer guided vineyard tours of the estate where visitors can learn all aspects of grape growing before discovering the state-of-the-art winery where the process of still and sparkling wine making is explained.  To conclude there is a tutored tasting of six Hush Heath Estate wines and ciders. 

For guests who have worked up an appetite touring the vineyards, Hush Heath Estate owns two fabulous local pubs that offer great food along with beautiful boutique hotel rooms, with gardens and dining terraces, all within a few miles of the winery.  All day dining is available at The Tickled Trout and The Goudhurst Inn.

Hush Heath Estate is also planning Free Guided Tour Dates in 2017.  Each event includes a guided tour of the estate and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of four Hush Heath wines and ciders.  These free guided tours start at 11:30am and last for approximately 2.5 hours.  Places are limited to 30 people per tour and these must be booked in advance.

From a corporate perspective, Hush Heath Estate provides a premium getaway offering for companies organising away days from the City and looking to spend time in the English countryside.

www.hushheath.com – www.twitter.com/HushHeath - www.facebook.com/HushHeathEstate

Tel. the Hush Heath Estate winery team on 01622 832 794 to pre-book tours

For further press information, please contact Natasha Najm at me@natasha-najm.com.