Get into the Spring Mindset with England’s Best Pinot Noir

There’s nothing quite like a sunny spring day to lift your spirits and get you appreciating things in vivid colour. After months of cold and dark, spring does truly feel transformational and life becomes a lot, well, lighter. And this means that there’s really no better time to dive into the delicate, vibrant flavours of English Pinot Noir.

English Pinot Noir: Precision and patience

Pinot Noir is a notoriously finicky grape to grow and make into wine in England due to a climate that is far too cool, damp and unpredictable. Needing long, consistent growing seasons, England’s wet summers and late frosts can cause issues with the grapes.

Despite the challenges, we’ve mastered the craft with Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023, which Balfour Head Winemaker Fergus Elias describes as “a simply very good Pinot Noir” that holds its own against Pinot Noirs from around the globe.

This vintage was the result of a cooler summer that held back ripening. The season miraculously turned in the autumn and our vineyards were blessed with some more sun just in time for us to deliver this incredible wine. 

As a testament to its greatness, Luke’s Pinot Noir took home Silver at the International Pinot Noir Challenge – the highest award achieved by an English wine in 2025. An exceptional feat for an English Red. 

Flavours Perfectly Matched to Spring

Made from French clones grown on Wealden clay, Luke’s Pinot Noir marries New World richness with a distinctly English character. A thoughtful mix of French and American oak lends it a savoury complexity, balancing depth with delicacy. On the nose, it offers a classic, delicately aromatic cool-climate profile. The palette is of red berry fruits: tart cherry and juicy raspberry mingle with a touch of baking spice, while spicy vanilla and soft yet firm tannins round out the experience.

This taste profile, with lively acidity, bright, zesty fruit and subtle earthiness, mirrors the feeling of walking through the woods on a clear, crisp spring day. This all makes it a true springtime favourite. 

We want you to experience these flavours for yourself at this perfectly suited time of year, so we’re delighted to offer a special discount on Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023. You can now get your hands on a bottle of Luke’s Pinot Noir for just £22.50!

Food pairings for Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023

Best served slightly chilled, Luke’s Pinot Noir is versatile enough to pair with lighter spring meals. Think white meats, roast vegetables, earthy mushrooms, or herby lamb. With Easter just around the corner, a cool glass of ruby-red Pinot Noir would pair perfectly with lunch. 

Here are some recipes we’ve selected to pair perfectly with this wine:

Slow-Cooked Lamb with Pomegranate

This recipe includes gently roasted lamb with herbs and a splash of white wine making it light in flavor. This gives space for our elegant Pinot to shine rather than be overshadowed. The addition of pomegranate seeds brings sweet-tart pops that mirror the wine’s vibrant acidity, making every bite-and-sip feel like a natural duet. And because Luke’s Pinot Noir truly comes alive with a slight chill, the tangy yoghurt and fresh herbs in this dish lift the whole pairing.

Mushroom & Herb Tart

This dish is a perfect match for a light, chilled Pinot Noir like Luke’s. The buttery, tangy pastry and savoury mushrooms will bring out the wine’s subtle earthy notes, while the Gruyère adds a richness that’s cut beautifully by its vibrant acidity.

The fresh herbs lift the dish and echo the wine’s red fruit and floral tones. Chilled down, the Pinot stays crisp and refreshing against the tart’s warm, creamy texture. It’s a pairing that’s elegant, earthy, and effortlessly balanced.

Lentil Salad with Roasted Veggies and Goat Cheese

This Lentil Salad with Roasted Veggies and Goat Cheese is a perfect spring pairing for a chillable, vibrant Pinot Noir. As the season shifts and we crave something a little lighter, this salad’s lentils, sweet roasted veg, and fresh herbs echo the wine’s red fruit and subtle savoury notes.

The tangy dressing will play to our Pinot’s vibrant acidity, while creamy goat cheese adds just enough richness to balance it all out. It’s fresh, satisfying, and full of spring energy.