Hard to believe that the vines at Hush Heath estate are less than ten years old so much has been written about the wine produced. But then owner Richard Balfour-Lynn always had his sights set high – “I want to make the best rosé in the world,” he says with focused determination at his winery’s official opening.

But it might never have happened. Hotel magnate – he owns the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison groups – Richard and his wife Leslie had been looking on the continent for a vineyard to buy when the farmland around his Elizabethan manor house came up for sale in 2000. They jumped at the chance and, advised by the UK’s most experienced viticultural consultant Stephen Skelton MW, planted four acres with the three Champagne varieties. A few years later, the first vintage, 2004, won Gold in the 2008 International Wine Challenge and swiftly sold out. Not a bad start.

A hat-trick for Hush Heath

Several more years later there are almost 30 acres under vine and production is up to 30,000 bottles with an ultimate goal of 100,000. Several still wines have crept into the portfolio, but Richard remains glued to global sparkling rosé domination. “We argue over the colour, we argue over the bubbles,” he admits.  And, as if by recognition of the quality, 2011 saw two notable firsts alongside the opening of his new winery: Dame Shirley Bassey launched P&O’s latest cruise ship, Adonia, with a magnum of Balfour Brut Rosé, and the latest vintage was chosen for British Airways’ first class cabins and lounges.

With its winery now properly open, Hush Heath are offering limited bespoke tours. These start with a walk across the fields through the orchards – source of Jake’s Apple Juice, the estate’s other product – and on to the first vineyard to be planted: Oast Farm Meadow.

Having seen how the vines are coming along, you will head back to one of the UK’s best equipped boutique cellars. Hear how the team bring about both a first and second fermentation before the bottles are left to mature and then loaded into their gyropallette for the final degorging. Finish your tour with a tutored tasting of the current vintage of Balfour Brut Rosé and one or two of the estate’s still wines in the smart tasting room.

Silverware

• Balfour Brut Rosé 2006 – Best in Class, International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2010
• Balfour Brut Rosé 2005 – Trophy, Decanter World Wine Awards
• Balfour Brut Rosé -2004 – Gold, International Wine Challenge 2008

Eco-friendly initiatives

• Weather station in vineyard – allows spraying to be minimised by close adjustment of schedule
• Winery – perspex roof allows natural light rather than electricity in daytime
• Bottling – lighter-weight bottles in use

Last visited: Summer 2011