Simpson’s turns up the heat for English still wines

Simpson’s Wine Estate in Kent is shifting 60% of its grapes into still wine production this year, as warmer weather has delivered riper, fuller flavours ideally suited to still styles. Co-owner Charles Simpson says the estate began harvesting two and a half weeks earlier than usual this year thanks to a sunny summer.

Located near Canterbury, Simpson’s has been a pioneer in English still wine since 2018, producing acclaimed labels such as Roman Road Chardonnay and Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir. Despite being outside the country’s largest producers, Simpson’s exports nearly half its output and represents a third of all English wine exports, with major sales in Norway, Canada and South Korea.

Their Gravel Castle Chardonnay, now Norway’s bestselling English wine, has seen remarkable success, prompting an additional eight hectares of Chardonnay planting. Ruth Simpson says this year’s ripeness and balanced acidity make 2025 'a brilliant vintage for still wines'.