Simpsons' Wine Estate was established in 2012 by Ruth and Charles Simpson in Barham, Kent, amid the pristine beauty of the Elham Valley – an unspoilt seam in the North Downs where the contours of the land, climate and soil could scarcely be improved upon for viticulture. At Simpsons, we believe that the finest wines convey a rich sense of provenance and integrity, firmly rooted in the characteristics and exquisite nuances of their terroir. This is why we settled for nothing less than the finest parcels of land in southern England to plant our vines.
In September 2016, Oz Clarke opened the state-of-the-art winery, located within walking distance of our two vineyard sites and equidistant between them. The proximity of the winery to the vines is critical in the creation of top-flight wines. The Estate also saw its first harvest in 2016 and since then the winemakers have produced a highly-acclaimed range of English still and sparkling wines, including the Chalklands Classic Cuvee 2016, which won a gold medal and “Best in Class” title in the 2019 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. In addition, the 2018 Roman Road Chardonnay, which is the third release of our flagship still wine has recently been awarded a Platinum Medal and the highest accolade of “Best in Show” in the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards.
The Estate is going from strength to strength and now has the capacity to produce upwards of 250,000 bottles of English still and sparkling wine per year.
In February 2020, Walpole, the industry body for the UK’s luxury sector, selected Simpsons’ Wine Estate, as one of the twelve 2020 Brands of Tomorrow - a development programme, which supports growing luxury businesses.” Simpsons' Wine Estate is only the second winery to be selected for the programme.
As a founding member of The Wine Garden of England collective, comprising of seven pioneering wineries in Kent, Simpsons’ Wine Estate is committed to creating a world-class wine tourism trail across the county. The summer months provide the ideal opportunity for our glorious vineyards to host visitors, including a vineyard tour with a glass of sparkling wine as the sun goes down, followed by a perfectly paired platter brimming with the best in local produce.
The Glass House Tasting Room provides an elegant and intimate space for celebrations and from here you can view our world-class winery. Simpsons’ Wine Estate boasts the unique attraction of a helter-skelter slide from the tasting room to the winery. We like our events to finish with an unforgettable flourish down the “Fruit Chute” slide!
Award-winning Simpsons’ Wine Estate, is delighted to offer an array of decadent and delectable gifts. There is something to suit every budget with new releases of the much-adored Canterbury Rose Sparkling Rosé 2018 and the refined Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs 2017, plus mixed case selections, luxury gifts, and experiences to enjoy in 2021. They will be available to purchase via www.simpsonswine.com. In the meantime, do sign up to their “Private List” newsletter to be the first in the know of the latest news and releases from the Estate: http://bit.ly/SWE_PrivateList
Please visit in-line with current restrictions, and check their website before visiting to ensure they are open.
