Hattingley Valley Vineyard interview 

 

Welcome to the English wine Collection’s Vineyard focus! Could you provide sopme background on Hattingley Valley,  who’s in the team and what do they do?

Hattingley Valley is a family-owned English wine producer based in rural Hampshire. Founded in 2008 by our owner, Simon Robinson, and his family, what began as a farm diversification project has grown into one of the UK’s leading wineries. With more than 200 international awards, including 16 trophies, our sparkling wines are enjoyed across the UK and in 16 countries worldwide.

In 2022, we welcomed our new Head Winemaker, Rob MacCulloch MW, whose two decades of international experience, including harvests on five continents, bring a rare combination of hands-on production skill and commercial expertise that has proven invaluable.

We’re proud to work alongside a dynamic, passionate team of 30 people, from the vineyard to the winery, lab, and office. At Hattingley, we take winemaking seriously; the rest, we like to have a little fun with, embracing the unconventional and sharing our rather remarkable English wines with the world.

How did you get into the wine business and what led you to English wine?

After retiring from a successful career as a partner at the London law firm Slaughter & May, Simon Robinson wasn’t quite ready to slow down. He turned his attention to the Hampshire countryside, purchasing 650 acres of rolling farmland with the idea of returning to something more hands-on and rooted in nature. Around the year 2000, while listening to a radio programme about the small but growing English wine scene, a spark was lit. Intrigued by the idea that England could produce wines to rival those from France, Simon visited pioneering producer Nyetimber and left inspired to create something of his own.

As wheat prices fell, diversification became a necessity, but for Simon, planting vines was more than a business decision; it was also a passion project. After a detailed biodiversity study and land survey, he found the perfect south-facing chalk slope and planted the first vines in 2008. Two years later, a state-of-the-art winery rose on a site not far from the vineyards, along with a clear vision: to craft exceptional English sparkling wines that could stand proudly on the world stage.

Today, Hattingley Valley remains very much a family business, built on Simon’s belief in innovation, quality, and the potential of English terroir. What began with a moment of inspiration has grown into one of England’s top producers.

How big is the vineyard at Hattingley Valley and how many different grape varieties do you grow?

Hattingley Valley have two main vineyard sites: Chalky Hill, the first plot to be planted in 2008, and the rather imaginatively named New Site, planted three years later in 2011 (and still so named). Together, these Hampshire Vineyards total 9 ha (22.24 acres) under vine.

As well as our own vineyards, Hattingley Valley also sources grapes from long-term growers across the South of England, combining them into multi-regional blends that truly reflect the region’s diversity and character.

What is unique about your English vineyard location?

Hattingley Valley is nestled in the rolling hills of Hampshire, an area renowned for its chalky soils and cool climate, conditions that mirror those of the Champagne region and provide the perfect foundation for producing exceptional sparkling wine. Our south-facing slopes capture optimal sunlight, allowing the grapes to ripen gradually and develop the fresh acidity and complexity that define our house style. Surrounded by quintessential English countryside, our vineyard combines natural beauty with an unwavering commitment to quality and precision.

In the search for a vineyard site, before our vines were planted in 2008, a rare discovery was made on Simon’s land when they found the Silver-washed Fritillary butterfly. This uncommon sighting was a significant marker of the health and biodiversity of the vineyard and the farmland around it, and so, it became the icon of our brand.

 

Hattingly Valley has focused on producing Sparkling wines but you also have a Chardonnay and dessert wine! What has been the inspiration to create these wines?

Chardonnay

When Hattingley Valley was founded, the team were adamant that they would never make still wines. This was mainly due to the fact that they didn’t feel that the quality of those wines on offer at the time justified the necessary price tag. 

But in 2018, they ate their words when they had the first inkling that it might just be possible to make world-class still wines in England, but unfortunately, they didn’t have the right varieties planted in the right places that year.

It wasn’t until the summer of 2020, which was warm, sunny and ideal for both humans and vines, that they set about working with their partner growers, several in Essex, to see what kind of ripeness they could achieve with Chardonnay.

The almost perfect growing conditions of 2020, saw that all the hard work in the vineyard paid off, and Hattingley created an 100% Chardonnay still wine, in a light Chablis style, with minimal oak, a light touch of malolactic fermentation and bottled whilst young and fresh. The wine was such a success that they recreated it in the next high-quality growing year in 2022, where the long, warm growing season saw more than the double of sunshine hours, surprisingly hot days and no rain. The result was high yields free of disease, and very ripe fruit, full of flavours and good acid levels.

Entice Dessert Wine

The inspiration for Entice began in 2011, when our winery was newly established and our vines were not yet producing fruit. With no harvest to work with, winemaker Jacob Leadley was sent to New Zealand to gain experience and explore new winemaking ideas. During his time there, he encountered the art of crafting Ice Wine—a process where grapes freeze naturally on the vine, concentrating their sweetness and flavour.

Returning to Hampshire, Jacob was eager to adapt this technique to our cooler English climate. Since our winters weren’t cold enough for a natural freeze, we decided to experiment by harvesting Bacchus grapes at peak ripeness and freezing them in our industrial freezer. This innovation, combined with the precision of our Champagne press, allowed us to extract the purest, most aromatic juice possible—an ambitious and labour-intensive process that required real dedication from the team.

What began as a small experiment grew into something truly special. Entice is now a beautifully balanced dessert wine, crafted from multiple vintages to capture the essence of our Hampshire terroir. It’s a testament to our team’s creativity, persistence, and passion for pushing boundaries, an English twist on a classic style, born from curiosity and crafted with patience.

Talk me through your English wines....

The Hattingley Portfolio consists of four main collections:

Core Collection:

Classic Reserve NV

Our Classic Reserve embodies the essence of tradition, balance, and craftsmanship. Made exclusively from the traditional varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, it stays true to time-honoured winemaking techniques. A touch of oak fermentation enhances richness, texture, and complexity without overpowering the wine’s natural vibrancy. At the heart of the Hattingley House Style is balance, where quality meets approachability. Crafted with expert precision, the Classic Reserve is celebrated for its smooth, rich texture, vibrant fruit character, and effortlessly enjoyable taste. 

Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs

Our Blanc de Blancs is a masterclass in balance, crafted exclusively from 100% Chardonnay. Its naturally high acidity is elegantly softened through oak ageing, partial malolactic fermentation, and extended lees ageing, creating a beautifully harmonious profile. Aged for a minimum of seven years before release, this wine develops rich, mature character, often with notes of candied lemon, caramel, and honeycomb. The result is a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel, perfectly suited for pairing with a variety of cuisines, from roast chicken and white fish to creamy cheeses and desserts, like lemon meringue pie.

Hattingley Valley  Rosé

Our Rosé is a vibrant expression of the finest Pinot varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and occasionally a hint of Précoce, sourced from top growers across the South of England. This multi-regional blend bursts with the fresh, red fruit flavours of early summer, often evoking notes of ripe strawberries, tart raspberries, and cherry plums. A youthful style, with just three years on the lees, allows these bright, juicy flavours to take centre stage. A touch of oak ageing in old red Burgundy barrels adds subtle texture and depth, rounding out the wine while preserving its fresh and approachable character. 

 

Hattingley Valley Prestige Collection

Kings Cuvée

Kings Cuvée is the pinnacle of our winemaking style, crafted only in the most exceptional growing years. This ultra-limited Prestige blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier is selected from the highest quality juice and is always barrel matured. It spends seven months in old Burgundy barrels to develop its soft, creamy texture and intricate aromas. Only the best-quality barrels make the final cut. After bottling, the wine rests on its lees for over six years, further enhancing its richness, balance, and depth. Rich, dry, and beautifully complex, Kings Cuvée is a gastronome’s dream, pairing effortlessly with risotto, roast chicken, and indulgent seafood dishes. A rare and legendary wine, it is a true testament to the art of blending and patience.

Kings Rosé 

Kings Rosé is the rarest of the rare, crafted only in the finest vintages from a meticulous blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and a touch of Chardonnay and Pinot Précoce. Selected from the very best base wines, it undergoes 100% barrel fermentation, ageing for seven months in old Burgundy barrels, before only the top six best barrels are chosen for the final blend. This extended ageing results in a luxuriously soft, creamy texture and a beautifully complex profile. Rich and elegantly dry, its matured red fruit character reveals notes of plum tart, subtle spice, and concentrated red cane fruit. A true prestige cuvée, Kings Rosé is a powerful, food-friendly wine, perfect for pairing with a range of cuisines.

Limited Collection

English Gent 

English Gent is pure Englishness in a glass, fresh, fragrant, and effortlessly charming. Made in the Traditional Method but aged for only three months on its lees to preserve its vibrant aromatics, this wine is like a stroll through a spring meadow, bursting with notes of green growth, wildflowers, blossom, lime cordial, and white pear. A blend of Bacchus and Pinot Gris, it combines Bacchus’ beautifully expressive aromatics with the structure and elegance of Pinot Gris. Approachable and refreshing, English Gent is the perfect companion for sunny afternoons, easy conversations, and long, relaxed evenings on the patio.

Entice

Entice is the ultimate handcrafted English dessert wine, born of innovation, determination, and just a little bit of madness. Made from 100% Bacchus grapes and crafted in an ice wine style, this sweet wine is both luscious and aromatic. After freezing the grapes to -18°C for four weeks, they are pressed slowly while still frozen, extracting intensely concentrated juice bursting with natural sugars and fresh fruit character. Often offering aromas of blossom, elderflower and raw honey, it has a balanced refreshing acidity that keeps the sweetness in check. Fun, fragrant, and oh so moreish.

Hattingley Valley Still Wine Collection

Still Chardonnay

Our Still Chardonnay is a vibrant expression of real English freshness, light, elegant, and full of character. Made from 100% Chardonnay hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, it captures the purity of English fruit with flavours like crisp yellow lemon, green apple, and tart nectarine. Barrel fermented for added depth, this touch of oak adds texture, without overpowering the wine’s natural freshness. With a percentage of the blend undergoing malolactic fermentation, there is a wonderful balance between bright acidity and a fine, creamy mouthfeel. Perfect for drinking young, this refreshing Chardonnay pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, truly the elegant choice for the Chardonnay lover.

What are the ‘perfect pairings for each of Haltingly Valley’s wines, where’s a good place to start?   

Classic Reserve NV: The perfect accompaniment to any party our Classic Reserve is the ideal celebration drink, pair it with canapés and lots of laughter!

Rosé: Pair with scones, jam and cream (in that order!) for an indulgent afternoon tea. Or as a delicious starter with Parma ham, paté and other charcuterie (in any order you like!).

Blanc de Blancs: Pairs beautifully with sea bass in a white sauce. Or a delicious smoked trout pâte (we think Hampshire chalk stream trout would be best!).

Kings Cuvée: Perfectly paired with your favourite party canapés or a luxury artisan cheese board! Our personal favourite is our locally made Old Winchester from Lyburn Cheese, or the famous Hampshire Cheese Co’s tangy Tunworth.

Kings Rosé: Simply raise a glass and toast to the most special of occasions, or serve with salmon or smoked (Hampshire chalk stream) trout canapés for the perfect ‘pink with pink’ pairing.

English Gent: For a truly British pairing, try it with a succulent Sunday roast chicken. Or equally as good on its own, for sipping away a carefree evening.

Entice: Serve well-chilled, alongside creamy blue cheese, a delicious paté or classic summer pudding after your meal.

Still Chardonnay: For the true Chardonnay lover, the pairings are endless! We like to serve ours with chicken liver parfait on brioche toast. Or for a main course, roasted cod on a bed of puy lentils.

If there were no English Wine available and you had to choose, what would be your favourite wines and why?

While we proudly champion English wine, if we were to look beyond our shores, we’d gravitate towards classic regions that share our dedication to elegance and balance. Champagne, for its craftsmanship and finesse, would be a natural choice, as would Chablis or a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc for their bright minerality and vibrant acidity. These wines embody the same freshness and precision we strive for at Hattingley Valley.

Can we come down to visit Hattingley Valley’s vineyard? If so, what can we expect from a tour/tasting? What facilities do you have on site?

Join us for the Hattingley Valley Tour and Tasting Experience, available every weekend throughout the year, and on Fridays during the summer season.

Your visit begins with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our Hampshire winery, from the winery floor itself and production area to our barrel barn, offering a fascinating insight into how our award-winning English wines are crafted. The experience concludes with a guided tasting of four exceptional wines from our English Wine portfolio.

A truly memorable experience, it’s the perfect day out for anyone wishing to discover more about the art of English Sparkling winemaking.

Book ahead to secure your place at: https://hattingleyvalley.com/products/winery-tour-and-tasting-regular-tour

Just a short stroll from the winery, you’ll find The Yew Tree, a charming and historic pub in Lower Wield, the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch after your tour. We recommend booking ahead to secure your table: https://theyewtreelowerwield.co.uk

What challenges do you face at Hattingley Valley and what plans do you have to overcome them?

As with many English producers, our greatest challenge remains the unpredictability of the climate; no two vintages are ever quite the same. However, this variability is also what drives our innovation and resilience. Beyond the vineyard, our focus lies in standing out within a rapidly expanding English wine industry. We’re addressing this by advancing our winemaking technology and strengthening our direct-to-consumer presence through meaningful storytelling, experiences, and partnerships that bring the Hattingley brand to life.

Looking to the future where does Hattingley Valley see itself in the English Wine industry?

Looking ahead, Hattingley Valley aims to continue leading the evolution of English sparkling wine, building on two decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and quality. We aspire to cement our reputation as a benchmark producer that combines technical excellence with true English character. For us, that means a spirit of quiet confidence, ingenuity, and a touch of eccentricity; a balance between precision and personality. It is about celebrating our heritage while embracing modernity, producing wines that reflect the charm, wit, and resilience that define England itself. Our vision is to inspire confidence in English wine both at home and internationally, ensuring that Hattingley Valley remains synonymous with excellence, authenticity, and forward-thinking innovation.

Anything else you think we should know?

At Hattingley, we make wines with personality, for people who love to enjoy them. Our approach is a blend of British quirkiness and careful precision, creating wines that are both approachable and refined. We source grapes from long-term growers across the South of England, combining them into multi-regional blends that truly reflect the region’s diversity and character.

Every bottle reflects our signature House style, shaped by balance, time, and a touch of oak. Time in the bottle allows freshness to mellow into finesse and texture, adding body and subtle complexity, while gentle barrel fermentation and maturation bring depth and richness without ever masking the fruit. From the lively zing of Bacchus to the layered elegance of our Prestige cuvées, our wines are made to be savoured, shared, and celebrated, and will always be, unmistakably Hattingley.

The Hattingley House Style: Our Signature 

Balance

At the heart of the Hattingley House Style lies a deep-rooted pursuit of balance: between tradition and innovation, richness and freshness, complexity and charm. Each wine is crafted with meticulous precision to bring together exceptional quality and effortless drinkability. From vibrant fruits and floral aromatics to soft, creamy textures and elegant structure, our wines are always in fine equilibrium, making them a joy for both casual sipping and more thoughtful tasting. Whether it's the zing of Bacchus or the depth of our Prestige cuvées, there’s a sense of ease and approachability in every glass, without ever compromising on refinement.

Time in BottlePatience is one of our greatest strengths. At Hattingley, our wines are never rushed. Time in bottle is essential to the development of our signature style, elevating freshness into finesse and texture to add body and complexity. Our core sparkling wines spend a minimum of three years in bottle, followed by a further minimum of three months on cork after disgorging to ensure complete integration. This extended ageing, far beyond the industry standard, allows our wines to soften gracefully, bringing balance to their naturally bright acidity and unlocking the subtle layers of flavour that define our house style.

Oak

Used with restraint and remarkable precision, oak is our quiet signature. At Hattingley, we believe that barrel fermentation and maturation should enhance, not overpower. We use a mixture of pre-used large barrels called Puncheons and old Burgundy pièces to add gentle texture, roundness, and background complexity, never to dominate the wine. Whether it's our oak-matured Kings Cuvée or our delicate Sparkling Rosé, with just a whisper of oak, our expert team crafts each wine with a measured hand, allowing oak to elevate mouthfeel and depth while preserving the fresh, fruit-driven character that makes our wines so unmistakably English.

To discover more and to try Hattingley Valley's English Wines click here.