Burgundy winemakers collaborate with Essex vineyards as English still wines gain international recognition

Burgundy winemakers are turning their attention to England’s Essex region, drawn by its growing reputation for producing high-quality still wines. Danbury Ridge, a well-regarded local producer, has announced a partnership with Domaine Duroché from Burgundy to create a limited-edition Pinot Noir. The collaboration will use grapes from a selected parcel in the Crouch Valley, an area in Essex that has been gaining recognition for its favorable climate and terroir.

Pierre Duroché, owner of Domaine Duroché in Gevrey-Chambertin, plans to travel to Essex in October to work alongside Danbury Ridge’s winemaker, Liam Idzikowski, during the harvest and vinification process. This partnership marks a significant step for English still wine, which has traditionally been overshadowed by the country’s sparkling wine production. In recent years, however, still wines from England and Wales have started to receive international praise.

Danbury Ridge described the project as a meeting of minds between two producers focused on expressing the unique qualities of their respective terroirs. The winery emphasized that working with a Burgundy winemaker would bring new insights and deepen understanding of how Pinot Noir can be expressed in Essex’s climate and soils.

The resulting wine will be distributed exclusively by Flint Wines, a UK merchant with strong ties to both English and Burgundy producers. The first release is scheduled for 2028. Jason Haynes, owner and cofounder of Flint Wines, played a key role in connecting Danbury Ridge and Domaine Duroché. Haynes said he has long admired Danbury Ridge’s achievements in English still wine and saw an opportunity to bring together expertise from both regions. Flint Wines was also the first importer of Pierre Duroché’s wines outside France.

Flint Wines is involved in another cross-Channel project as well. Burgundy winemaker Alex Moreau is working with Missing Gate Vineyard in Essex to produce English wine using local fruit. Haynes noted that this collaboration will test whether the harvest timelines in Burgundy and Essex are compatible. He credited Nick Speakman and his son Jack, owners of Missing Gate Vineyard, for their support of the venture.

These projects come at a time when international interest in Essex’s wine potential is rising. Jackson Family Wines, a major global producer, recently released its first English still wine—a Chardonnay made from Crouch Valley grapes. Charlie Holland, winemaker for Jackson Family Wines’ English estate, described Crouch Valley as one of England’s warmest and driest areas, ideal for growing quality grapes. The Marbury Chardonnay 2023 received high praise from critics, including 93 points from Decanter’s Sylvia Wu.

The increased attention on Essex is reflected in rising vineyard prices. According to consultancy group Knight Frank, land values for vineyards in Essex have increased by 20% over the past year as more producers look to invest in the region’s promising conditions for still wine production.

As more established names from Burgundy and beyond explore opportunities in Essex, the region is quickly becoming a focal point for innovation and collaboration in English winemaking. The partnerships between local producers and renowned French vintners signal a new chapter for English still wines and highlight Essex’s growing status on the international wine map.