This month, my journeys took me to Lake Windermere for a Cépage portfolio tasting, an event showcasing the incredible evolution of English wine. With wines from renowned producers like Breaky Bottom and Oxney Estate, the tasting reflected a powerful push to bring English wine to on-trade venues across the north. The tasting was attended by many restauranteurs from Manchester, Liverpool, as well as southern counterpoints who made the journey to discover how English wines are not just holding their own but thriving alongside top-quality grower Champagnes.
Cépage, headquartered in Cheshire, has taken on the mission of elevating English wine across the UK, and this tasting highlighted exactly how they’re achieving it. Harry Ballman, head of Cépage, has a journey that’s as captivating as the wines he represents. Beginning with a Master’s in politics in the Netherlands, Harry found himself in wine, moving north with only a bag packed for three weeks, eventually starting Cépage and never looking back. From stocking cellars of Michelin-starred restaurants to super yachts, Cépage champions a direct connection with English vineyards, offering wines that are both sustainably produced and of exceptional value.
Cépage’s portfolio proudly includes the organic offerings of Oxney Estate, perfect for the trade, and the acclaimed wines of Breaky Bottom. Harry reflected fondly of his first meeting with Peter Hall, and how his wines seamlessly fit among the highest-quality grower Champagnes, effortlessly winning hearts and glasses alike.
With Bea Morris, Cépage’s creative director, behind the events and atmosphere, Cépage embodies a fresh and fun approach to wine appreciation. Every bottle in their selection tells a story, and it’s a celebration of both the artistry of winemaking and the enjoyment of wine itself. As English wine continues to gain traction in the north and beyond, Cépage’s tastings remind us that wine lists across the UK have ample room for the beautiful and diverse offerings of English vineyards.
