A new project in Essex’s Crouch Valley, Marbury is a testament to the bright future of English Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Marbury’s 24 hectares of vines are located just 10 miles from the North Sea, on the southern edge of the Crouch Valley above the estuary and marshlands. The area benefits from some of the warmest and driest conditions in the country. Prevailing west and south-westerly offshore winds frequently inhibit cloud formation. These longer sunshine hours, coupled with low rainfall levels, allow for an extended hang time to ripen the grapes. Even in challenging vintages, this singular microclimate provides optimal conditions for still wine production. London clay is the predominant soil type here, known for its high ‘shrink swell’ capacity. This allows the soil to retain water during dry spells and become impermeable in periods of heavy rainfall, preventing berries from swelling and splitting post-veraison.

Renowned winemaker Charlie Holland has been instrumental in driving the quality of English wine in recent years, with a decade of experience at Gusbourne. He has led the winemaking and viticulture at Marbury since its inception, describing his approach in the cellar as ‘hands-off’ to retain a distinct sense of place. Judicious use of oak lends weight and complexity, framing the purity of fruit, which is central to Marbury’s style.

The Chardonnay is gently whole-bunch pressed and transferred directly to barriques (15% new) without any settling or sulphur for fermentation and ageing. It is elegant and poised with notes of apple blossom, oyster shell and toasted hazelnut and marries racy acidity with silky texture and depth. Their maiden release of Pinot Noir is structured yet elegant. The grapes are 100% destemmed and the wine is aged for ten months in French oak barrels (35% new). Lifted aromas of red cherry, violet and wild herbs are framed by silky tannins and develop into a long, savoury finish.

An aromatic nose of ripe citrus fruit and apple blossom, interwoven with subtle notes of brioche, fennel seed, and toasted hazelnuts. The palate is full and rich, offering concentrated flavours of ripe orchard fruit and orange zest that lead to an elegant and zesty finish.