UK Natural Wine Guide: English Revolution & Welsh Terroir | Bacchus, Hybrids & Zero-Sulfur Sparkling

The English Natural Wine Revolution

United Kingdom

From the chalk downs of Sussex to the volcanic soils of Cornwall, discover how British natural winemakers are redefining cool-climate viticulture with Bacchus, Solaris, and zero-sulfur sparkling wines—embracing biodynamics, hybrid grapes, and the pure expression of England's emerging terroir

Bacchus Solaris Pinot Noir Zero Sulfur Biodynamic Hybrid Grapes

3,800+ Hectares Under Vine

800+ Vineyards

50°N Northern Latitude

3 PDO Regions

The Cool Climate Revolution

Where English sparkling meets natural wine innovation

The United Kingdom—once considered too cold for quality viticulture—is experiencing a natural wine renaissance that is reshaping the global perception of British wine. As temperatures rise and seasons lengthen, England and Wales have become the fastest-growing wine region in Europe, with a new generation of winemakers rejecting conventional methods in favor of biodynamics, zero-sulfur winemaking, and experimental techniques.

This guide focuses on the pioneers of UK natural wine—producers who work with both classic Champagne varieties and disease-resistant hybrids. Ben Walgate (Tillingham) experiments with Korean Natural Farming and buried qvevri in East Sussex. Sophie Evans treats her Kent vines with lavender and fennel instead of chemicals. Hebron Vineyard in Wales operates with total zero intervention—no sprays, no additions, just "pure expression of place."

What unites them is a commitment to real sustainability in a challenging climate. From the chalk terroir of Sussex to the granite soils of Cornwall, these winemakers embrace hybrids like Solaris and Rondo, revive ancient techniques like tinajas (amphora), and prove that English wine can be natural, alive, and world-class.

Key Facts

Location: Southern England & Wales, 50-52°N latitude
History: Roman foundations, modern revival since 1950s
Key Regions: Sussex, Kent, Cornwall, Hampshire, Wales
Main Grapes: Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Solaris
Method: Biodynamic, zero sulfur, qvevri, wild ferment
Style: High acid, mineral, textural, low ABV
Notable: First UK Demeter biodynamic vineyard (Ancre Hill, 2008)

From Roman Vines to the New Wave

2,000 years of British wine evolution

1st Century CE

Roman Foundations

Romans introduce viticulture to Britannia, establishing vineyards in the warmer southern regions. Archaeological evidence of vineyards found in Northamptonshire and Boxmoor. Wine production continues through the medieval period in monasteries.

1550s

The Fall

King Henry VIII dissolves the monasteries, destroying England's organized viticulture. The Little Ice Age (1300-1850) makes grape growing increasingly difficult. British wine production nearly disappears, replaced by imports from France and Portugal.

1950s-1980s

The Modern Revival

Commercial viticulture returns with pioneers like Hambledon Vineyard (1952) and Nyetimber (1988). Focus initially on Germanic crosses (Müller-Thurgau, Reichensteiner) and sparkling wine production. Climate warming makes southern England viable for Champagne varieties.

2008

Biodynamic Firsts

Richard and Joy Morris establish Ancre Hill Estates in Monmouthshire, becoming the first certified biodynamic vineyard in the UK (Demeter certified). They introduce natural winemaking techniques including amphora aging and zero dosage sparkling wines to Britain.

2015-2020

The Natural Wine Explosion

Urban wineries like Renegade (London) and Gutter & Stars (Cambridge) bring natural wine to cities. Tillingham Wines experiments with Georgian qvevri. Black Mountain Vineyard converts to organic farming. Quatro Mustachios champions hybrid grapes. English natural wine gains international recognition.

2020-Present

The Hybrid Revolution

Climate change accelerates interest in disease-resistant hybrid varieties (Solaris, Rondo, Seyval Blanc) that require less spraying. Korean Natural Farming and regenerative viticulture take hold. UK natural wine becomes established in London's vibrant wine bar scene and beyond.

"Sulfur kills the tiny happiness fairies who live inside the wine. We want to capture that life, that energy." — Ben Walgate, Walgate Wines (formerly Tillingham)

Chalk, Granite & Clay

The diverse terroirs of UK natural wine

🌊 Sussex

The heart of English wine with the country's first PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). Chalk soils identical to Champagne's Côte des Blancs. Home to Davenport, Tillingham, and many natural wine pioneers. Cool maritime climate with long growing seasons. Perfect for traditional method sparkling and textured still wines.

🌾 Kent

The "Garden of England" with chalky North Downs and clay soils. Warmest and driest region in the UK. Sophie Evans farms biodynamically here; Ham Street Wines makes field blends. Margate Wine operates as a negociant from this coastal county. Key for aromatic Bacchus and Pinot Noir.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales

Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire lead Welsh natural wine. Ancre Hill Estates pioneered biodynamics here. Hebron Vineyard in Carmarthenshire is the UK's first fully regenerative, zero-intervention vineyard. Cool, wet climate favors early-ripening hybrids. Ancient seabed soils mixed with clay and limestone.

🌊 Cornwall

England's deep southwest with granite soils and Gulf Stream influence. Camel Valley and others benefit from mild winters. Thomas Lockwood makes pet-nats and experimental wines here. Coastal influence creates distinctive saline, mineral characters in wines.

🏔️ Herefordshire

Black Mountain Vineyard sits in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons. Mixed farming country with ancient soils. Mark Smith employs Korean Natural Farming techniques. Cool continental influence with significant diurnal temperature variation. Focus on hybrid varieties and zero-sulfur winemaking.

🌃 Urban Wineries

London, Cambridge, and Margate host "virtual vineyards" sourcing grapes from across the southeast. Renegade Wines in Bethnal Green produces critically acclaimed pet-nats. Numbers Wine in Hackney experiments with small-batch low-intervention wines. Gutter & Stars in Cambridge focuses on minimal intervention English wines.

Key Natural Wine Regions

Region	Climate	Soil	Natural Wine Character
Sussex PDO	Cool maritime	Chalk, greensand	High acid, mineral, textured
Kent	Warmest UK	Chalk, clay	Aromatic, ripe, saline
Wales	Cool, wet	Limestone, clay	Pure, low ABV, hybrid-driven
Cornwall	Mild maritime	Granite, slate	Fresh, coastal, mineral
East Anglia	Driest UK	Chalk, gravel	Concentrated, still wine focus

The Featured Producers

The pioneers defining UK natural wine

Sussex & Kent – The Engine Room

Ben Walgate

Walgate Wines (formerly Tillingham), East Sussex

Founding winemaker of Tillingham (2017) now making wine under his own label Walgate Wines in a World War II airplane hangar in Rye. Ferments in Georgian qvevri buried in the ground. Uses Korean Natural Farming (KNF) techniques. No sulfur additions, wild yeast, unfiltered. Makes "Colfondo" (English Col Fondo) from Pinot Gris, Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Chenin. Also produces still Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier rosé. Former drummer in rock band Æbsence.

Zero Sulfur Qvevri KNF Rye

Sophie Evans

Sophie Evans Wines, Ashford, Kent

Kent-based winemaker combining biodynamic viticulture with herbal remedies—treating her 3 hectares with lavender, fennel, and marjoram instead of chemicals. First vintage 2022, making her the only woman in the UK bottling wine with her own name on the label. Former fashion industry professional turned farmer. Uses whole bunch fermentation for Pinot Noir and skin-contact Pinot Gris. Champions sustainability through second-use glass bottles. "The Land Tells Us What It Needs."

Woman Winemaker Biodynamic Herbalism First Vintage 2022

Ham Street Wines

Ham Street, Kent

English organic natural wines by Lucie & Jules in Hamstreet, Kent. British biodynamic wine made with low sulfur. Focus on field blends mixing Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus, and Pinot Gris. Small production, hands-on farming. Part of the new generation making approachable, drinkable natural wines from Kent's diverse terroir.

Field Blend Organic Low Sulfur Kent

Davenport Vineyards

Horsmonden, Kent

Pioneer of organic viticulture in England (since 2000). Will Davenport has been making natural wines longer than almost anyone in the UK. Focuses on sparkling wines using traditional method with wild yeast fermentation and minimal sulfur. Also produces still Bacchus and Pinot Noir from organic vineyards on the Kentish Weald. Consistently high quality with a commitment to sustainability.

Organic Pioneer Since 2000 Traditional Method Kent

Margate Wine

Margate, Kent

Mobile natural wine project founded by Aaryn Vaughan. Negociant model—sources high-quality grapes from sustainably farmed vineyards across southeast England. Ferments in shared winery space in Margate. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, unfined, unfiltered, minimal sulfites. Produces fresh, vibrant, rustic wines including carbonic maceration reds and aromatic whites. Focus on drinkability and capturing English terroir through a natural lens.

Negociant Urban Winery Carbonic Coastal

Ark Wines

Mount Farm, Suffolk (East Anglia)

Family-run vineyard and winery in the Stour Valley established 2019. 6 hectares including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris. Sustainable farming with solar-powered winery (58 panels providing 20kwh daily). Bore hole for water with recycling system. Hand machinery on battery power. Small batch wines experimenting with unusual methods and blends. Focus on reducing carbon footprint while making expressive, terroir-driven wines.

Solar Powered Sustainable East Anglia Family Run

Wales & The West – Pioneers & Purists

Richard & Joy Morris

Ancre Hill Estates, Monmouthshire, Wales

The UK's first Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyard (2008). Nine hectares of south-facing vines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Albariño. Pioneered orange wine in the UK with their skin-contact Solaris. Zero dosage sparkling wines, pet-nats, and amphora-aged wines. "Working with the land to produce expressive, site-driven wines." No synthetic inputs, spontaneous fermentation, minimal intervention. The godparents of UK natural wine.

Biodynamic Pioneer Demeter Orange Wine Wales

Jemma Vickers & Paul Rolt

Hebron Vineyard, Carmarthenshire, Wales

The UK's first fully regenerative, zero-intervention vineyard. Planted 2010 in the Preseli foothills. No pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers—ever. Manual vine management only. Natural amphora wines from Solaris (white) and Rondo (rosé) with zero additions except micro-dose sulfur at bottling for the rosé. Gravity-led clarification without filtration. "A perfectly natural and pure interpretation of terroir." Essential oil treatments instead of copper/sulfur sprays.

Zero Intervention Regenerative Amphora Hybrids

Mark & Laura Smith

Black Mountain Vineyard, Herefordshire

Three-hectare vineyard planted 2009 at the 52nd parallel in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons. Organic certified since 2018. Uses Korean Natural Farming (KNF) methods—alternative treatments prioritizing soil and vine health. Replaced classic sparkling varieties with better-suited hybrids. Zero sulfur in the winery since conversion. Tiny production, hand-riddled and disgorged. Whey and essential oil treatments instead of synthetic sprays.

Korean Natural Farming Organic Zero Sulfur Herefordshire

Urban & Experimental – The New Wave

Sam & Dave

Quatro Mustachios, Somerset & Sussex

International wine collective founded 2020 by Plumpton College graduates. Focus on zero-addition wines from unsprayed vineyards in Somerset and East Sussex. Champions hybrid varieties (Solaris, Rondo, Seyval Blanc, Sauvignac, Cabernet Blanc). Won Silver at PIWI International Wine Award for hybrid co-ferment. Makes pet-nats, skin-contact wines, and experimental blends. "S.L.U.G" pet-nat and "Bunglarouge" field blend are standout wines. Part of the "New British Wine" wave embracing hybrids.

Hybrids Zero Additions PIWI Experimental

Warren & Smith

Renegade Wines, Bethnal Green, London

Urban winery in East London making critically acclaimed natural wines from English grapes. Ferments in a railway arch in Bethnal Green. Sources grapes from Essex, Kent, and Sussex. Known for skin-contact Bacchus, pet-nats, and experimental blends. Strong focus on East London wine culture and community. Proves that high-quality natural wine can be made in the city.

Urban Winery London Pet-Nat East London

Daniel & Nicola Ham

Domaine Hugo, Wiltshire/Hampshire Border

Collaboration between Hugo Stewart (biodynamic viticulture) and Daniel Ham (winemaker, former Ridgeview and Langham). Chalk soils of Botley's Farm. Traditional method sparkling wines with zero added sulfur, no fining or filtration. Marine biologists by training, bringing scientific rigor to natural winemaking. Also produce Offbeat Wines label. "If you can make wine with no additions, it's like being a carpenter working with hand tools instead of power tools."

Zero Sulfur Biodynamic Traditional Method Chalk Soils

John & Emma

Gutter & Stars, Cambridge

Small batch minimal intervention winemaking in Cambridge. Sourcing from Essex and East Anglia vineyards. Focus on English heritage varieties and experimental techniques. Part of the new wave of "virtual vineyards" making wine in urban settings while championing English terroir.

Cambridge Small Batch East Anglia Low Intervention

Joshua

Numbers Wine, Hackney, London

East London winery producing small-batch, low-intervention wines from English-grown grapes. Wild fermented Bacchus "Bacchs Fizz" available in cans—sparkling orange wine at 9% ABV. Available in East London, Margate, Deal & Frome. Focus on accessibility and natural wine for everyday drinking.

Hackney Canned Wine Orange Wine Accessible

"Our vineyard has never been treated with any synthetic chemicals. We continue this in the winery, with natural spontaneous fermentation, unblocked malo-lactic fermentation and gravity led clarification without filtration." — Paul Rolt, Hebron Vineyard

The Grapes of Natural Britain

Bacchus, hybrids, and cool-climate classics

White Variety • The English Signature

Bacchus

A crossing of (Silvaner x Riesling) x Müller-Thurgau. England's answer to Sauvignon Blanc—herbaceous, aromatic, elderflower, and citrus. Thrives in cool climates. Natural winemakers love it for skin-contact orange wines and pet-nats.

Style: Aromatic, high acid, herbaceous
Natural Wine Role: Orange wine, pet-nat, raw expression
Top Producers: Renegade, Davenport, Margate Wine
Regions: Kent, Sussex, East Anglia
Notable: Often compared to Sauvignon Blanc

Hybrid • The Disease Resister

Solaris

White hybrid developed in Germany (Merzling x Gm 6493). Early ripening, disease-resistant, needs minimal spraying. Citrus, apple, and herbal notes. Perfect for natural wine—Hebron Vineyard makes zero-addition amphora Solaris.

Style: Crisp, citrus, apple, fresh
Natural Wine Role: Zero sulfur, amphora, pure expression
Top Producers: Hebron, Quatro Mustachios, Ancre Hill
Regions: Wales, Herefordshire, Sussex
Notable: No synthetic sprays needed

Red Variety • The Cool Climate King

Pinot Noir

The heart of English sparkling wine. Early ripening, thin-skinned, challenging to grow. Makes elegant, light reds and world-class sparkling. Natural winemakers make zero-sulfur still Pinot with whole bunch fermentation.

Style: Light, red fruit, earthy, elegant
Natural Wine Role: Whole bunch, carbonic, zero sulfur
Top Producers: Sophie Evans, Walgate, Domaine Hugo
Regions: Sussex, Kent, Hampshire
Notable: 50% of UK plantings

More UK Varieties

From hybrids to heritage grapes

Rondo: Red hybrid (Zarya Severa x St. Laurent). Early ripening, dark color, disease resistant. Hebron Vineyard makes Natural Amphora Rondo Rosado. Used in blends for color and structure.

Seyval Blanc: French hybrid (Seibel 5656 x Rayon d'Or). Crisp, neutral, high acid. Perfect for traditional method sparkling with zero dosage. Quatro Mustachios experiments with it.

Chardonnay: Classic sparkling variety. Natural winemakers use it for zero-sulfur traditional method (Domaine Hugo) and skin-contact experiments (Ancre Hill).

Pinot Meunier: The "workhorse" of English sparkling. Natural producers make still rosé (Walgate) and field blends (Ham Street).

Reichensteiner: Early ripening white crossing. High yields, neutral flavor. Used in field blends and pet-nats for volume and freshness.

Ortega: Müller-Thurgau x Siegerrebe. Aromatic, peachy, low acid. Popular in English blends and natural wine experiments.

Food Pairing & British Cuisine

Natural wine meets Cornish seafood, Kentish produce, and Welsh lamb

Pairings for English Pet-Nats

Bacchus, Solaris, field blends

Fish & Chips: Classic seaside pairing with acidic pet-nats
Oysters: Native Fal oysters with zero-dosage sparklers
Soft Cheeses: Kentish brie, Cornish yarg
Charcuterie: British cured meats and pork pies
Local match: Sussex charcoal-grilled lobster

Pairings for Light English Reds

Pinot Noir, Rondo, blends

Welsh Lamb: Herb-crusted with natural Pinot Noir
Game: Pheasant, partridge in autumn
Mushrooms: Wild foraged with whole-bunch reds
Roast Beef: Sunday roast with light, earthy reds
Local match: Romney Marsh lamb with Sussex reds

British Wine Traditions

From Roman Britain to modern natural wine bars

English wine culture is experiencing a renaissance that extends far beyond the traditional afternoon tea. Wine bars like Terroirs (London), which introduced many UK winemakers to natural wine, have created a vibrant scene for low-intervention English wines. The traditional method sparkling wine remains the UK's flagship style, but natural winemakers are challenging conventions with zero dosage (no added sugar), disgorged wines, and col fondo (bottle-fermented cloudy sparklers). Orange wine—white grapes fermented on skins—has found a natural home in the UK, with Ancre Hill and others leading the charge. The hybrid revolution is reframing the conversation: varieties like Solaris and Rondo, once dismissed as inferior, are proving to be expressive and highly sustainable options for natural wine. From farmers markets in Kent to natural wine bars in Margate and London, English natural wine is becoming part of the culinary fabric—paired with local cheeses, seafood, and seasonal produce.

Visiting Natural Britain

From Sussex cellars to Welsh mountains

🌊 Sussex & Kent Circuit

Base in Rye or Tenterden. Visit Walgate Wines (Ben Walgate) in the WWII airplane hangar. Tillingham for biodynamic farming and qvevri. Davenport for organic sparkling. Sophie Evans in Ashford (by appointment). Ham Street for field blends. Combine with beach time in Margate and the Turner Contemporary.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales Adventure

Stay in Monmouth for Ancre Hill Estates—tour the biodynamic vineyards and taste orange wines from amphora. Drive west to Hebron Vineyard in Carmarthenshire for a regenerative farming tour (zero intervention, essential oil treatments). Visit the Preseli Hills. Combine with Pembrokeshire coastal walks.

🏙️ London & East Anglia

Start in London: visit Renegade (Bethnal Green railway arch) and Numbers Wine (Hackney). Shop at Highbury Library or Tivoli Wines for UK natural wine selection. Drive to Suffolk for Ark Wines (Stour Valley). Cambridge for Gutter & Stars. Combine with historical sites and East Anglian countryside.

7-Day Natural Wine Itinerary

Day 1 - London: Arrive. Dinner at natural wine bar (Terroirs, Noble Fine Liquor). Overnight Shoreditch.

Day 2 - Kent: Train to Ashford. Visit Sophie Evans (biodynamic vineyard, herbal treatments). Lunch at local pub. Visit Ham Street Wines. Overnight Rye.

Day 3 - Sussex: Morning at Walgate Wines (WWII hangar, qvevri tasting). Afternoon at Tillingham (biodynamic farm, restaurant). Overnight Rye or Camber Sands.

Day 4 - Sussex/Kent: Visit Davenport (organic pioneers). Afternoon in Margate—visit Margate Wine project, Turner Contemporary. Overnight Margate.

Day 5 - Wales: Drive to Monmouthshire (3 hours). Ancre Hill Estates (biodynamic, orange wine, zero dosage). Overnight Monmouth.

Day 6 - Wales: Drive to Hebron Vineyard (2 hours). Regenerative farming tour, zero-intervention tasting. Preseli Hills walk. Overnight Carmarthen or return to Monmouth.

Day 7 - Return: Drive back to London or Bristol. Final tastings. Departure.