East of England Wine Awards 2025

Celebrating the Best in East of England Winemaking

The East of England Wine Awards continue to go from strength to strength, reflecting the region’s growing reputation for quality and innovation in English wine. Now well established as a key fixture in the wine calendar, the WineGB East awards have been running for several years and provide a valuable showcase for producers across the region.

This year’s awards once again demonstrated the remarkable progress being made in vineyards throughout the East, with an impressive standard across all categories. In recognition of this upward trajectory, four new awards were introduced for the first time: a dedicated category for Defined Wines Best Pinot Noir, reflecting the increasingly high calibre of red wines being produced, and three new County Champion awards, celebrating standout producers in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.

These new additions underline the diversity and quality now coming out of individual counties and mark an exciting new chapter in the story of East of England wine.

A Standout Year for Quality Across the Board

This year’s East of England Wine Awards showcased an impressive breadth and depth of winemaking talent, with particular highlights that stood out to the judging panel.

They were especially struck by the exceptional quality of the still rosé wines. In a category that can sometimes be overlooked, this year’s entries were outstanding—elegant, balanced, and expressive—earning one gold, two silver and a bronze medal.

It was also an exciting year for sparkling wines, with 17 entries submitted—a significant figure for a region more traditionally recognised for still wine production. The judges were genuinely impressed by both the ambition and execution shown across the sparkling category, with wines displaying finesse, structure and a real sense of place. It’s a clear sign that producers in the East of England are expanding their repertoire with confidence.

Another highlight of the judging was the strength of the Pinot Noir entries—making it the perfect year to introduce our new Defined Wines Best Pinot Noir award. The wines submitted demonstrated clarity, varietal character and real skill in winemaking. The judges awarded gold, silver and bronze medals in this category, underlining the exciting potential for red wines in our region.

Burn Valley Vineyard Shines with a Landmark Year

Burn Valley Vineyard delivered a truly exceptional performance at this year’s East of England Wine Awards, cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most exciting and consistent producers. In a remarkable showing, Burn Valley became the first-ever recipient of the new Norfolk County Champion award—and that was just the beginning.

Their Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2023 not only secured the inaugural Best Pinot Noir award, but also captured the imagination of the judging panel, who praised it as “Perfectly Pinot Noir! A great example of what the East can do with this grape.” Elegant, expressive and confidently made, it set a new benchmark for red wines in the region.

In the white wine category, Burn Valley retained their title, winning Best White Wine for the second year running—this time for their Winemakers Series Chardonnay 2023, described by judges as a “Wonderful English Chardonnay, very classy.”

The winning streak continued with their Marsh Rosé 2024, which took home Best Rosé, with judges calling it “absolutely stunning, a proper rosé.” It was perhaps no surprise that this wine went on to be named East Anglian Wine of the Year, a fitting recognition of Burn Valley’s exceptional range and craftsmanship.

Given the success of their wines, it was only fitting that Burn Valley’s winemaker, Matthews Abbey, was honoured with the Guy Howard Award—a special accolade recognising outstanding contribution to East of England wines. His thoughtful, expressive approach to winemaking and his dedication to quality is helping raise the profile of the region’s wines on a national stage.

Burnt House Vineyard: Honouring Legacy with Award-Winning Sparkle

Burnt House Vineyard made a remarkable impact at this year’s East of England Wine Awards, becoming the first-ever recipient of the Suffolk County Champion title. This landmark achievement is especially poignant for a vineyard with such a rich sense of place and history.

Established in 1925, Burnt House has been a family farm for nearly a century, with each generation taking on the responsibility of caring for the land and passing it forward. Now led by a new generation, this family-run, female-led vineyard is continuing that legacy through wine, having planted vines on the very soil that has sustained their family for over 100 years.

In a standout debut, Burnt House also claimed the award for Best Sparkling Wine with their Brut 2021—their first-ever sparkling wine. Crafted using the traditional Champagne method with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it impressed the judges with both character and craft. Their tasting note described it as:

“Rich and spicy like red apple crumble, with an elegant mousse.”

A confident and beautifully made sparkling that sets a high bar for future releases.

Their success didn’t stop there. Burnt House’s Chardonnay 2023 was also awarded a bronze medal, further confirming the quality and potential of their still wines alongside their sparkling triumph.

Saffron Grange: A Vision Realised on Historic Land

Saffron Grange has been named this year’s Essex County Champion, a well-deserved accolade that recognises not only the exceptional quality of their wines, but the vision, care and innovation that define this remarkable vineyard.

Located just outside Saffron Walden, Saffron Grange is planted on the same ancient chalk seam that runs from the renowned wine regions of Champagne, through Sussex, and into Essex. This rare and prized soil formation—combined with Essex’s sunny, dry climate—creates outstanding conditions for growing grapes destined for premium sparkling wines. It’s no coincidence that this small corner of England is now producing wines of international calibre.

The land itself holds centuries of agricultural heritage. Once covered in crocuses and famed globally for saffron production, the soil that once nurtured one of the world’s most valuable spices now yields grapes of equally prized character. It is this historic connection that inspired both the name and ethos of Saffron Grange.

The vineyard is the vision of Paul Edwards, who returned to his native Essex after decades working around the world in the food and drink industry. His mission was clear: to establish a vineyard that could not only produce world-class wines but also revive and protect the land for future generations. His expertise in product development and meticulous attention to detail are evident in every bottle.

This year, the judges were particularly impressed by Saffron Grange’s Classic Cuvée 2021, which they described as “a delicious expression of English sparkling, with rich fine bubbles and delicious flavours of apple tart and citrus.” Their Sparkling Rosé 2022 also stood out, praised for “a delicious burst of red fruits and refreshing citrus.” These wines highlighted the consistent quality and elegance of the Saffron Grange style.

In addition to their classic blends, the judges applauded the vineyard’s spirit of innovation, particularly their Seyval Blanc Reserve 2021, made from the hybrid grape variety Seyval Blanc—renowned for its citrus profile and crisp minerality. The panel described it as “flinty minerality on the nose, and lots of citrus lemon and orchard fruits with a lovely texture.”

Saffron Grange’s success this year is a testament to what happens when place, passion and precision come together.

Winbirri Vineyard: Rondo, Reserve and Remarkable Results

Winbirri Vineyard made a powerful impression at this year’s East of England Wine Awards, taking home the coveted Best Red Wine award for their Winbirri Grand Reserve 2015. Crafted from 100% Rondo—a dark-skinned cross increasingly recognised for its potential in cooler climates—this bold and expressive wine won a silver medal, with judges describing it as “wonderfully crunchy and delicious, with wonderful complexity.”

Rondo is fast becoming a variety to watch, and Winbirri’s confident, age-worthy example is a showcase of what it can achieve when handled with precision and patience.

But the wins didn’t stop there. Winbirri’s Vintage Reserve 2018 sparkling wine also secured a silver medal, coming very close to claiming the Best Sparkling Wine title, narrowly edged out by Burnt House Vineyard. It’s a strong endorsement of Winbirri’s versatility—not just in reds, but across sparkling styles as well.

Their still white wines were also recognised with medals: the Bacchus 2023, known for its aromatic brightness and freshness, and the Solaris 2022, a lesser-known variety showing increasing promise in English viticulture.

Winbirri’s broad medal haul underlines their status as a leading producer in the region, with a portfolio that continues to push boundaries and impress across multiple wine styles. Whether red, white or sparkling, their wines reflect both innovation and deep attention to quality.

Sveinns Vineyard: A Rising Star with Award-Winning Bacchus

Sveinns Vineyard has firmly announced its arrival on the English wine scene, winning the Best Bacchus award for their Bacchus Fumé 2024—a remarkable achievement for a vineyard planted only in 2019. Just a few years into production and located close to Norwich, Sveinns is already proving it’s a name to watch.

The judges described the Bacchus Fumé as “zesty and energetic. A great expression of English Bacchus.” Its vibrancy, clarity and freshness made it a standout in a highly competitive category, confirming both the vineyard’s potential and the skill of its winemaking team.

Bacchus has become something of a signature grape for English still wine, thriving in the cooler English climate. Often likened to Sauvignon Blanc—but with a punchier profile—Bacchus is sometimes described as “Sauvignon Blanc on steroids”, thanks to its intense aromatics and zingy acidity. It’s a grape that truly captures the freshness and energy of English terroir.

While Chardonnay is fast catching up in reputation, Bacchus continues to be the go-to white variety for many English producers—and Sveinns’ success with their Fumé-style interpretation shows just how exciting and expressive it can be.

Their success didn’t end there: Sveinns Vineyard also earned a medal for their Rosé 2024, underlining the early promise of this young Norfolk vineyard. With such strong results so early on, Sveinns is clearly on a path toward an exciting and distinguished future.

Celebrating a Landmark Year for East of England Wines

This year’s East of England Wine Awards marked a milestone moment for the region’s producers, showcasing a breadth of talent, innovation and terroir-driven excellence across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. From the elegance of sparkling wines to the freshness of Bacchus, the finesse of Pinot Noir, and the boldness of Rondo, the quality and ambition on display was outstanding. The introduction of new categories—including Best Pinot Noir and County Champion Awards—reflects the growing depth and diversity of the region’s winemaking.

With both established vineyards and newcomers receiving top honours, the awards offered a powerful snapshot of a wine region confidently stepping onto the national and international stage. The East of England is no longer emerging—it has arrived.

Trophy Winners

Trophy	2025 Winner
East Anglian Wine of the Year	Burn Valley Vineyard Marsh Rosé 2024
Best White Wine	Burn Valley Vineyard Winemakers Series Chardonnay 2023
Best Bacchus	Sveinns Vineyard Bacchus Fume 2024
Best Rosé Wine	Burn Valley Vineyard Marsh Rosé 2024
Defined Wines Best Pinot Noir – NEW AWARD	Burn Valley Vineyard Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2023
Best Red Wine (not Pinot Noir)	Winbirri Vineyard Grand Reserve 2015
Best Sparkling Wine	Burnt House Vineyard Brut 2021
Best Dressed	Flint Vineyard
Suffolk County Champion – NEW AWARD	Burnt House Vineyard
Essex County Champion – NEW AWARD	Saffron Grange Vineyard
Norfolk County Champion – NEW AWARD	Burn Valley Vineyard
Guy Howard Award	Mathew Abbey, winemaker, Burn Valley Vineyard

Judges comments

BEST WHITE – Burn Valley Vineyard – Winemakers Series Chardonnay 2023
Wonderful English Chardonnay, very classy.
BEST BACCHUS – Sveinns Vineyard – Bacchus Fume 2024
Zesty and energetic. A great expression of English Bacchus.
BEST ROSÉ – Burn Valley Vineyard – Marsh Rosé 2024
Absolutely stunning, a proper rosé.
BEST RED – Winbirri Vineyard – Grand Reserve 2015
Wonderfully crunchy and delicious with fantastic complexity.
BEST PINOT NOIR – Burn Valley Vineyard – Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2023
Perfectly Pinot Noir! A great example of what the east can do with this grape.
BEST SPARKLING – Burnt House Vineyard Brut 2021
Rich and spicy like red apple crumble and an elegant mousse.