It was a pleasure to attend the debut of Cobham House Vineyard, a standout moment for English wine marked by the release of its 2024 Vintage Rosé, crafted entirely from Gamay.
Set in the historic village of Cobham, Kent, this new, family-run estate is poised to redefine what English wine can represent – blending bold values, expert craftsmanship, and a progressive vision. Cobham House is the creation of the Sengupta family, who bring a fresh perspective to the industry. Their mission goes beyond producing exceptional wine – it’s about embracing diversity, championing sustainability, and celebrating modern British identity. A key pillar of their commitment to inclusivity is the Cobham House Scholarship, launched to support minority ethnic students pursuing wine studies at Plumpton College – the UK’s leading institution for viticulture and oenology. It’s a significant and timely initiative aiming to help shape a more representative and accessible future for English wine.
The launch event, hosted at The Greenhouses at One Marylebone in London, perfectly captured the spirit and ambition of Cobham House Vineyard. Bathed in natural light and adorned with vibrant summer blooms, the venue provided an elegant and lively backdrop for the unveiling of the estate’s debut wine – the 2024 Vintage Rosé. Guests from across the wine trade and media gathered to celebrate what is already being hailed as one of the most exciting new releases in English wine.
Limited to just 1,407 bottles, the 2024 Rosé is a bold and assured first offering. Crafted from 100% hand-picked Gamay grapes, it showcases a thoughtful blend of winemaking techniques: 80% of the wine was cold-fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness and purity, while the remaining 20% was matured in seasoned Ruby Port barrels from the Douro Valley, adding texture and subtle complexity. The result is a vibrant, fruit-driven rosé with layers of red berries, crisp acidity, and a refined, silky finish.
Guided by acclaimed winemaker Emma Rice – two-time UK Winemaker of the Year – the wine is already making waves in the industry. Rice describes it as “a quintessentially refreshing English rosé… bursting with ripe summer fruits, layered with finesse.” Its quality has not gone unnoticed: Cobham House Gamay Rosé 2024 is the only rosé to receive a Gold Medal at the 2025 WineGB Awards, marking a significant achievement for a debut vintage and positioning it among the most notable English rosé wines to date.
But the day was about more than wine. Acclaimed poet Theresa Lola gave a moving live reading, and guests also enjoyed a three-course seasonal lunch paired with the rosé, and a custom cocktail menu designed to highlight the wine’s versatility.
With its tagline – “Uncork the Unexpected” – Cobham House is not just introducing a new wine, but a new way of thinking about English wine. Their debut is a confident, creative, and socially conscious entry into the market – one that signals an exciting new chapter for the industry as a whole.
Learn more about Cobham Rosé and the Cobham House Scholarship: www.cobhamhouse.co.uk
For more like this, sign up for the FREE Vineyard newsletter here and receive all the latest viticulture news, reviews and insight
