South-East Essex, England

Crouch Valley
Vineyard

Premium wine growers · Est. 2007 · 35 Acres

Discover the Vineyard In the Press
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Crouch Valley Vineyard in autumn, golden leaves on the vines with Essex countryside beyond
Our Story

Rooted in the Crouch Valley

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Looking to diversify the farm and having researched the possibilities of wine growing, Crouch Valley Vineyard was established in 2007 — one of the first planted in the new age of English Vineyards. We began with Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, set on rolling hills overlooking the Crouch River Estuary.

Our mission is simple: to grow premium quality grapes for the burgeoning English Wine Industry. The vineyard has grown to 35 Acres, and the micro-climate of South-East Essex has enabled us to produce some of the highest quality grapes in England — now turned into wines winning accolades at National and International competitions.

2007
Established
35
Acres
7
Varieties
At the forefront of turning the Crouch Valley into a flourishing wine-growing region.

Crouch Valley Vineyard · South-East Essex

What We Grow

Our Varieties

Seven varieties cultivated across our 35 acres — scroll to explore each one.

Our Partners

The Winemakers

We supply our premium grapes to a select group of exceptional winemakers who share our passion for quality and craft.

Blackbook Winery The first solo project from winemaker Sergio Verrillo and his wife Lynsey, working out of a railway arch in Battersea. Single-vineyard chardonnay and pinot noir, made from growers within a few hours of the city. Visit Blackbook → Lyme Bay Winery The largest mead and fruit wine maker in the UK and the most awarded English still wine producer, founded over thirty years ago in the hills of East Devon and drawing on a network of growers across the south of England. Visit Lyme Bay → Tillingham A natural and biodynamic producer on a holistically managed farmstead at Peasmarsh in East Sussex — vineyards, ancient woodland and livestock, alongside eleven rooms and a Michelin Green Star restaurant. Visit Tillingham → Flint Vineyard Founded by Ben and Hannah Witchell in 2016 at Camphill Farm in Earsham, Norfolk, after Ben's degree in oenology and time with French winemakers. Charmat sparkling and still wines that push the edges of English wine. Visit Flint → Renegade Urban Winery Founded in 2016 in Bethnal Green and now making wine by hand in Walthamstow, with a bar still in E2. Hand-harvested fruit from vineyards around the UK and Europe, turned into modern, premium styles. Visit Renegade → Walgate Founded by Ben Walgate, formerly winemaker at Tillingham, working with quality growers across south-east England. A slow and respectful process that marries ancient and modern practice, in pursuit of wines of place and integrity. Visit Walgate → Traverse Wines A natural wine project built on English fruit — small batches, low intervention, and each vintage shared as it happens. Follow Traverse → Saddle Goose Wines A sustainable natural wine company in Frome, Somerset, passionate about English grapes. Sparkling and still wines made with minimal intervention, with a cellar door open to visitors. Visit Saddle Goose → Mallard Point A family-run single estate vineyard and distillery in Rutland, planted from 2019 and now tending over 18,500 cool-climate vines. Small-batch wines and spirits made entirely in-house — and a home for our Pinot Meunier. Visit Mallard Point →
In the Press

As Featured In

Crouch Valley Vineyard and its grapes are gaining recognition from some of the most respected voices in the world of wine.

Financial Times 9 May 2026
Why are foreigners flocking to make wine in England?

The Crouch Valley, south-east of Chelmsford towards the coast, has a climate moderated by the Crouch and Blackwater rivers and usefully water-retaining London clay underfoot. It has proved unexpectedly successful at producing wines with very respectable alcohol levels, higher than elsewhere in the UK — attracting investment from California's Jackson Family Wines and, most recently, renowned Burgundy producers Alex Moreau of Chassagne-Montrachet and Pierre and Marianne Duroché of Gevrey-Chambertin.

Crouch Valley mentioned
By Jancis Robinson · FT Professional Read Article →
Elite Traveler 9 May 2026
England's Best Still Wines Are Now Coming From Essex

The Crouch Valley is emerging as England's answer to Burgundy — the 'English Côte d'Or', a name coined by the FT's Jancis Robinson. One of the warmest and driest micro-climates in the country, paired with fertile clay soils, gives the valley around two extra weeks of hang time — ideal for ripening chardonnay and pinot noir. Fruit grown here is now some of the most expensive in the country.

Crouch Valley mentioned
By Alice Lascelles · Elite Traveler Read Article →
Essex Live 2025
The Essex vineyard with wine expert Olly Smith says 'rivals the most prestigious in the world'

"There's a place in Essex called the Crouch Valley. Some of the Pinot Noir there that I've tasted rivals honestly some of the most prestigious top labels in the whole world that cost absolutely stacks of cash. It's right here in the UK and I couldn't be prouder of it." — Olly Smith, wine expert, on the Table for Four podcast alongside Take That's Gary Barlow.

Crouch Valley featured
Essex Live Read Article →
Wine Anorak December 2021
The Crouch Valley, Essex: a leading region for English still wines

The trellising at Crouch Valley Vineyard stands apart from convention — a high wire sprawl system that allows a freer way of growing grapes, with shoots left untrimmed and more leaf area spread through the canopy. The less dense 3m × 1.2m planting disperses fruit more openly, trading some shade for a more natural, expressive growth habit.

Wine Anorak · Jamie Goode Read Article →
Get in Touch

We'd Love to Hear from You

Whether you're a winemaker looking for premium English grapes, or simply want to know more about what we do on the Crouch Valley estate, we're always happy to talk.

contact@crouchvalleyvineyard.co.uk