Britain’s oldest brewer launches English wine

Shepherd Neame, which has been brewing beer in Kent for over 300 years, has announced its expansion into wine with a new collection produced in partnership with Balfour Winery. db finds out more.

The centuries-old brewery has released two English still wines in its new collection — its first move into the wine industry.

Shepherd Neame has collaborated with fellow Kent-based business Balfour on its first wines, working with the team at Balfour’s Hush Heath Estate.

Its English Garden range comprises a still white wine made from Bacchus and a still rosé, both of which have been produced using Kent-grown grapes.

Michael Prior, Shepherd Neame’s wines and spirits manager, said the brewery was “committed to working with local businesses and suppliers wherever possible”, hence the local collaboration.

He told db the brewery had been “very keen to work this idea to fruition over recent years but started in earnest following last year’s excellent vintage so we could be confident in delivering a great product first time”.

Prior also noted that the brewer is “passionate about championing English wines, including offerings from our Kentish heartland”.

Shepherd Neame has an ongoing partnership with fellow Kent-based winery Gusbourne Estate, and is working with Champagne Taittinger, which has planted over 60 hectares of vines in Chilham, just a few miles from its Faversham Brewery. The new Domaine Evremond vineyard is expected to release its first premium English sparkling wine next spring, which the company told db it hopes to offer in selected pubs.

Balfour’s Head Winemaker Fergus Elias, who led the team in producing the new collection, called it an “exciting time for English winemaking, particularly in Kent which is becoming known as the Wine Garden of England with more and more vineyards being introduced in the region”.

He said the collaboration’s aim was to “raise the profile of Kentish wines”.

Shepherd Neame is known for brewing British ales including Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant. Its portfolio also includes Five Grain Lager, Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including premium Thai lager Singha.

Beyond brewing, the business owns more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East. The Kent brewery is also working with local partners on its spirits selection.

The wine is now available by the glass or bottle in selected Shepherd Neame pubs across Kent, London and the South East. It is also available to buy from Shepherd Neame’s Brewery Shop in Court Street, Faversham.

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