Balfour Winery
Discover why this Kentish was declared the 'best vineyard' to visit by VisitEngland.
Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, Kent, TN12 0HT.
Directions
Nearest station: Marden (2.7 miles).
Public tours
Private tours
Self-guided tours
Tasting room
Restaurant or café
Online shop
Winery on site
Walking trail
Disabled access
Award-winning
Organic or sustainable
Open year-roundWhile we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.
What's the vibe?
Balfour Winery offers a polished but approachable experience set within the 400-acre Hush Heath Estate, surrounded by vineyards, apple orchards, and ancient woodland. The modern Cellar Door building is light and contemporary, designed to showcase both the wines and the surrounding Kent countryside.
Visiting information
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Opening hours:
Balfour Winery and the Cellar Door are open daily. Typical hours are 10am–5pm from November to April, and 10am–6pm from May to October, though visitors are advised to check ahead for seasonal variations.
Tours & Tastings:
A range of experiences is available, including guided estate tours, tutored tastings, and self-guided tastings. Self-guided tastings are available during opening hours without booking, while guided tours and tutored tastings must be booked in advance. Prices and formats vary, with options that can include food pairings.
Self-guided estate walks:
Self-guided walks around the estate are available during the day and do not require booking.
Dining:
The Winemakers’ Kitchen is the on-site restaurant, serving lunch daily and dinner on selected evenings. Menus are seasonal and designed to pair with Balfour wines. The restaurant is located on a mezzanine level accessed by stairs, with limited alternative seating available on request.
The Cellar Door also offers light food options such as sharing plates during the season.
Special events:
The estate hosts a programme of events throughout the year, including wine dinners, blending experiences, live music sessions, and seasonal gatherings.
Accommodation:
There is no accommodation on the winery estate itself, but Balfour Hospitality operates nearby pubs and inns, including The Goudhurst Inn. Wine escape packages combining visits and overnight stays are available.
Children & dogs:
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the lower terrace area but are not permitted inside buildings or to roam the wider estate. Children under 10 are not permitted on guided tours or inside winery areas, and wine tastings are strictly for guests aged 18 and over.
Tours & Tastings:
A range of experiences is available, including guided estate tours, tutored tastings, and self-guided tastings. Self-guided tastings are available during opening hours without booking, while guided tours and tutored tastings must be booked in advance. Prices and formats vary, with options that can include food pairings.
Self-guided estate walks:
Self-guided walks around the estate are available during the day and do not require booking.
Dining:
The Winemakers’ Kitchen is the on-site restaurant, serving lunch daily and dinner on selected evenings. Menus are seasonal and designed to pair with Balfour wines. The restaurant is located on a mezzanine level accessed by stairs, with limited alternative seating available on request.
The Cellar Door also offers light food options such as sharing plates during the season.
Special events:
The estate hosts a programme of events throughout the year, including wine dinners, blending experiences, live music sessions, and seasonal gatherings.
Accommodation:
There is no accommodation on the winery estate itself, but Balfour Hospitality operates nearby pubs and inns, including The Goudhurst Inn. Wine escape packages combining visits and overnight stays are available.
Children & dogs:
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the lower terrace area but are not permitted inside buildings or to roam the wider estate. Children under 10 are not permitted on guided tours or inside winery areas, and wine tastings are strictly for guests aged 18 and over.
The Wine
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Balfour Winery produces a broad range of English sparkling and still wines from the Hush Heath Estate. Plantings focus on traditional Champagne varieties including Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, alongside Bacchus, Pinot Blanc, and other varieties. All fruit is hand-harvested.
Alongside wine, the estate also produces craft beers and ciders under the Jake’s Drinks label.
Awards:
Balfour has played a significant role in the modern English wine story and has received long-standing recognition. Its Brut Rosé was the first English wine to win a gold medal and trophy at the International Wine Challenge in 2007. More recently, wines such as Mary Rose Rosé, Gatehouse Pinot Noir, Red Miller, and Nannette’s Rosé have received major national and international awards across still and sparkling categories.
Sustainability:
Balfour Winery is a founding member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain scheme and works to minimise environmental impact through vineyard management, energy efficiency, and responsible water use.
Winery:
The estate includes a modern, purpose-built winery where all fruit is processed and wines are made on site. Parts of the winery are visible from the Cellar Door through interior viewing windows.
Awards:
Balfour has played a significant role in the modern English wine story and has received long-standing recognition. Its Brut Rosé was the first English wine to win a gold medal and trophy at the International Wine Challenge in 2007. More recently, wines such as Mary Rose Rosé, Gatehouse Pinot Noir, Red Miller, and Nannette’s Rosé have received major national and international awards across still and sparkling categories.
Sustainability:
Balfour Winery is a founding member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain scheme and works to minimise environmental impact through vineyard management, energy efficiency, and responsible water use.
Winery:
The estate includes a modern, purpose-built winery where all fruit is processed and wines are made on site. Parts of the winery are visible from the Cellar Door through interior viewing windows.
Getting here
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By car
Free parking is available on site, including electric vehicle charging. The estate is signposted from the A229.
By public transport
The nearest stations are Marden and Staplehurst.
Marden: Direct services from London Bridge take around 45–55 minutes. A free shuttle bus operates between Marden station and the winery on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during opening hours.
Staplehurst: Around 5–10 minutes by taxi.
Free parking is available on site, including electric vehicle charging. The estate is signposted from the A229.
By public transport
The nearest stations are Marden and Staplehurst.
Marden: Direct services from London Bridge take around 45–55 minutes. A free shuttle bus operates between Marden station and the winery on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during opening hours.
Staplehurst: Around 5–10 minutes by taxi.
What's nearby
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Notable restaurants:
The Goudhurst Inn – A nearby pub and dining destination operated by the same group.
Notable hotels:
The Goudhurst Inn – Boutique rooms close to the estate.
Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse – Country accommodation near the famous gardens.
Notable attractions:
Sissinghurst Castle Garden – One of the UK’s most celebrated gardens.
Mote Park – A large landscaped park near Maidstone.
The Goudhurst Inn – A nearby pub and dining destination operated by the same group.
Notable hotels:
The Goudhurst Inn – Boutique rooms close to the estate.
Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse – Country accommodation near the famous gardens.
Notable attractions:
Sissinghurst Castle Garden – One of the UK’s most celebrated gardens.
Mote Park – A large landscaped park near Maidstone.
