Balfour Winery

This Kentish estate produced the pioneering pink fizz that first flew British Airways First Class and celebrated the London 2012 Olympics.

https://www.balfourwinery.com

Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, Kent, TN12 0HT. Get directions

Nearest station: Marden (2.7 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Dog friendly

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Organic or sustainable

Open year-round

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Balfour Winery offers a relaxed yet luxurious experience, set within the stunning 400-acre Hush Heath Estate amidst vineyards, apple orchards, and ancient woodlands. Its contemporary Cellar Door building provides an airy and light space, blending design features with panoramic views of the Kentish countryside.

Visiting information

Open Year-Round: Balfour Winery and its Cellar Door are open daily, from 10am to 5pm between November and April, and 10am to 6pm from May to October.Tours & Tastings:
Self-guided tours are free, available daily between 10am and 5pm, and do not require booking.
Guided tours and tutored tastings generally require pre-booking, with various packages available seven days a week.
Dining:
The Winemakers' Kitchen, the on-site restaurant, is open for lunch daily (12pm-3pm) and for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings (7pm-9pm, last booking). It offers a seasonal menu designed to pair with Balfour wines. Please note, the Winemakers' Kitchen is on a mezzanine level accessible by stairs, but ground floor seating with vineyard views is available upon request.
Cellar Door offers seasonal sharing platters and artisan flatbreads made with local produce.
Special Events: The winery hosts a range of events throughout the year, including Wine and Dine Experiences, Dining Club Music Sessions, blending workshops, and other seasonal offerings.
Accommodation: While there is no on-site accommodation at the winery, Balfour Hospitality operates nearby pubs and boutique hotels, such as The Goudhurst Inn, as part of the Hush Heath group. Wine Escapes packages, including stays at their historic country inns, are also available.
Children & Dogs: Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on the downstairs terrace and within the Cellar Door. Dogs are not permitted to walk around the Estate (except guide dogs) or inside the restaurant. Children under 10 years old are not permitted on guided tours or inside the winery for health and safety reasons. Wine tastings are strictly for visitors over 18.

The Wine

Balfour Winery, part of the 400-acre Hush Heath Estate, is renowned for producing a distinctive range of English sparkling and still wines. Their vineyards are predominantly planted with traditional Champagne grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, alongside Bacchus and Pinot Blanc, all handpicked to produce wines with a house style of elegance, purity, and refreshing acidity. The winery also produces a collection of craft beers and ciders under the 'Jake's Drinks' label.

Awards: Balfour Winery has consistently received national and international acclaim. Their flagship Balfour Brut Rosé (2004 vintage) notably became the first English wine to win a gold medal and trophy at the International Wine Challenge in 2007, and was served on British Airways First Class and at the London 2012 Olympics. More recently, their Mary Rose 2020 received the Still Rosé of the Year Award from Tim Atkin MW in 2022, while the Gatehouse 2020 won Joint Best Red Pinot Noir Trophy at the WineGB Awards in the same year. The Red Miller 2018 earned the International Wine Challenge National English Red Trophy, marking a significant first for an English still red wine. In 2024, Nannette's Rosé won a gold medal at the Rosé Global Wine Masters.

Sustainability: Balfour Winery is a founding member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) certification scheme, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental sustainability across both vineyard and winery operations. This includes focusing on soil health, optimising pesticide use, and conserving energy and water.

Winery: The estate features a state-of-the-art winery, established in 2010, where all grapes are processed and blended. Visitors can often see the winemaking facilities through a glass wall from the tasting room.

Getting here

By Car
Balfour Winery offers ample free parking on-site, including an electric vehicle charging point. The estate is well-signposted from the A229.

By Public Transport
The nearest train stations are Marden and Staplehurst.
Marden Station: Direct trains from London Bridge take approximately 45-55 minutes. Balfour Winery operates a free 7-seater shuttle bus service from Marden Station to the winery every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, running approximately every 30 minutes from 10am until 9pm (Friday/Saturday) or 6pm (Sunday). No pre-booking is required for the shuttle, which takes about 7 minutes.
Staplehurst Station: The winery is approximately 5-10 minutes by taxi from Staplehurst. It is advisable to book taxis in advance as there is no taxi rank at Marden.

What's nearby

Notable Restaurants:
The Goudhurst Inn – Part of the Hush Heath group, offering a local pub and dining experience.
Notable Hotels:
Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse – A highly-rated accommodation option near the historic Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
The Goudhurst Inn – Offers boutique hotel rooms, part of the same group as Balfour Winery.
Notable Attractions:
Sissinghurst Castle Garden – A world-renowned National Trust garden offering a beautiful blend of history and horticulture.
Mote Park – An expansive urban park in Maidstone, providing walking trails, lakes, and recreational facilities.