Ben Walgate has long been one of the most dynamic voices in English wine. After formative years at Gusbourne and as co-founder of Tillingham, where his boundary-pushing experiments helped redefine the possibilities of British viticulture, he has turned the page with a new, deeply personal project: Walgate Wines. Based in a converted boatyard warehouse in Rye, Sussex, Walgate Wines unites modern precision with a lo-fi sensibility, sourcing grapes from top southeast growers and shaping them with patience and restraint. The focused range includes still red, white, and rosé wines of depth and integrity, alongside small quantities of traditional-method sparkling. With just 22,000 bottles in the debut release, Walgate’s aim is clear: to craft serious English wines that claim a place on the world stage.

The 2022 pinot noir reserve represents the pinnacle of the debut vintage, drawn from Crouch Valley in Essex and Shotley in Suffolk, where German clones of pinot noir thrive on clay soils. A mix of whole bunches, destemmed and crushed berries was layered into stainless steel and concrete, left to ferment for three weeks before pressing. From there, the best three barrels were selected and aged further in barrique. The result is strikingly complex, with cherry and garnet hues leading into aromas of plum, red cherry, spice, and smoky vanilla, accented by subtle herbal and leafy notes. Silky fruit and gentle tannins give way to fine grip and a cool-climate clarity that lingers through the finish. At just over 12% alcohol, this is pinot noir of refinement and depth, made into only 1,057 bottles.