Majestic partners with Balfour to expand English wine offering

Specialist wine retailer Majestic has announced a significant expansion of its English wine range through a partnership with Kent-based Balfour Winery.

Majestic has introduced a range of exclusive still wines to its shelves under the 1503 label. Named after the year Balfour’s Hush Heath Estate was founded, the 1503 range has been part of Majestic’s homegrown offering for 10 years, when the retailer began stocking its sparkling wines.

The new collection, a collaboration with Kent-based Balfour Winery, includes a Chardonnay (£13.99), Pinot Noir (£17.99), and rosé (£14.99), as well as an Albariño (£17.09).

In March, db reported that Balfour had joined the ranks of English wineries honing in on Albariño as a key grape for the region, having sold the majority of its first vintage prior to its release.

The latest statistics from WineGB put the total area of Albariño planted in the UK at just four hectares in 2022. But Balfour is keen to increase awareness of this grape on UK soil.

As part of the partnership with Majestic, the winery has also launched its first ever Ortega single varietal wine, which will be released in the Autumn via Majestic’s Wine Club.

Jack Merrylees, The Balfour Group’s marketing director, told db this morning: “It’s a grape we’ve long had ambitions for at Balfour, and have been looking to increase our plantings over recent years. We love the complexity and dexterity it offers in blends, but this new single varietal has really impressed us.”

The partnership also includes Balfour’s new Reserve Lager, which will also be available nationwide at Majestic stores and carries Balfour’s new branding to be consistent with the 1503 range.

Balfour has reported a growth in interest so far in 2024, with sales up 35% compared to the previous period last year. This year will also mark the winery’s first exports to Australia, where the 1503 Classic Cuvée will be launched across Dan Murphy stores nationwide.