We’ve always been driven by a passion for breaking new ground and our debut still Chardonnay is the perfect expression of this spirit of exploration. An invitation to experience Ridgeview in a way you’ve never tasted before, it’s designed for sharing memorable moments and delicious dishes at our restaurant, The Rows & Vine. We caught up with Head Winemaker, Simon Roberts, to explore the journey behind our new, limited-edition still Chardonnay, available both online and at the Ridgeview estate.
Following in the footsteps of our debut still wine, The Ridgeview English Rosé, released earlier this year, our new still Chardonnay invites guests to experience Ridgeview in a new way. It’s a wine made for bringing people together and for savouring life’s moments over a delicious dish or two.
It’s something of a Ridgeview philosophy – to push boundaries and seek out exciting new possibilities that honour timeless traditions. As winemakers, we’re constantly exploring, experimenting, and blending our experience with fresh approaches and new discoveries.
The result is exciting, exceptional wines that open up new horizons to create unforgettable moments. This philosophy inspired our first-ever still white wine—a Chardonnay that brings a fresh twist to Ridgeview’s portfolio.
Shop Still ChardonnayChardonnay has always been a favourite of mine. It’s such a classic, versatile wine, capable of so many styles. I wanted to create something distinctively Ridgeview – an exceptional Chardonnay, that you’ll want to tell your friends about.
With this wine, Simon and his team set out to add Ridgeview’s voice to the global repertoire of standout Chardonnays. Combining old and new world styles—the elegance of Chablis and the richness of Californian Chardonnay—they’ve crafted a bottling that balances vibrant fruit notes with a refined structure, showcasing the unique qualities of English grapes.
This Chardonnay blends flavours of stone fruits, lychee, and subtle florals, with a light structure that’s ideal for pairing with a range of dishes. It’s a wine made for the table. Deliciously drinkable, whether shared over a few small plates or a big celebratory feast.
“We began experimenting three to four years ago, using skin contact to bring out tropical and floral elements, and playing with older barrel aging. It’s all about creating something layered and food-friendly—a Chardonnay that’s complex yet delicate, fruit-forward yet refined.”
Shop Still ChardonnayWhen making a still wine, it’s all about letting the fruit speak for itself. We’re in a unique position, with access to grapes from across Southern England, unlike any other English producer. We get to experiment with a kaleidoscope of flavours and characteristics from some of the best fruit grown in England.
Creating a still wine has been an energising challenge for Simon and the Ridgeview team, requiring a fresh approach to our winemaking processes. The juice they’re working with is nearly the polar opposite of that for sparkling wines. Still winemaking at Ridgeview is all about capturing ripeness and vibrancy of the grapes – picking later to allow the fruit’s flavours to shine with our signature style of minimal intervention.
Striving for excellence from vine to glass, the Ridgeview Chardonnay draws on grapes from two of our standout partner vineyards, producing consistently high-quality Chardonnay: Oncoland in Kent, which brings a floral, linear profile, and Burnt House vineyard in Suffolk, which adds tropical notes of lychee, mango, and apricot. Working closely with our growers, we’ve deepened our connection to the land and our shared pursuit of quality, especially as we expand into still wines.
“Our growers are truly part of the Ridgeview family, working closely with us to craft wines of the highest quality. Through our journey into still wine, we’ve adapted together, resulting in wines that capture the very best of what we can achieve collectively.”
Get to know our grape growers
The English wine landscape is ever evolving, going from strength to strength. Ridgeview’s latest release is part of a new wave of high-quality still wines made in this country.
Warmer summers have given winemakers the opportunity to refine and expand still wine production. For Simon, the release of Ridgeview’s first-ever still white wine is a proud moment, marking a new milestone in Ridgeview’s pioneering journey:
“I’m really happy with this wine. It’s complex yet restrained, fruit-driven with layers of stone fruits like apricot and peach. Perfect with food – from fresh seafood to game dishes – but also just to enjoy with friends. It’s everything I love about Chardonnay, and I hope it brings people together, to create memories and enjoy life’s special moments.”
Taste our Chardonnay at The Rows & Vine
Experience Ridgeview in a whole new way with our debut Still Chardonnay. Bursting with vibrant fruit flavours and elegant floral notes, our new still Chardonnay charts exciting new horizons for world-class English winemaking.
Complex, deeply layered and deliciously food-friendly, it’s made for bringing people together and savouring life’s special moments over a sumptuous dish or two. Now available online or at our vineyard restaurant, The Rows & Vine.
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