A soft launch for Marlbank Vineyard’s first production: A journey from vine to glass

There’s something incredibly special about holding your very first bottle of wine — the product of years of hard work, patience, and passion. As I stand here with the first release from Marlbank Vineyard, I couldn’t be more excited (and a little bit proud) finally to share this moment with my close friends and family.

Our journey started at the foot of the Malvern Hills, where we planted our vines with a vision of creating high-quality, locally crafted English wine. This bottle represents that vision coming to life — and the start of something we hope will grow into something truly special.

The process: From vine to bottle
Making this wine has been a labour of love. From the careful pruning of the vines through the seasons, to harvesting the grapes at their absolute best, every decision has been made with thought and care. Once harvested, our grapes were taken to the wonderful team at Three Choirs Vineyard, where their expertise helped turn our fruit into the wine we’re so proud of today. The final stage in the winery is a milestone I’ll never forget. Seeing those bottles come off the riddling machine, the disgorging, the corking, and the labelling all felt like the realisation of a long-held dream.

Designing the label and brand

When it came to designing our label, we knew we wanted something that reflected the character and beauty of Marlbank Vineyard. I am so lucky to have some talented artists in the family, and between Thea, Debs and Sally, I think they have crafted something really special. The clean, simple white design draws inspiration from the stunning Malvern Hills that overlook our vines. It’s elegant, understated, and lets the wine speak for itself.

This label isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about identity. We wanted a design that captures our commitment to quality, our respect for the land, and the sense of place that makes our wine so unique.

A very limited first release

We are only releasing 100 bottles now for family consumption and to share with friends who have helped prune, strip leaves, and harvest so that they can share the emotions as the wine just keeps getting better. These early bottles are a glimpse of what’s to come — fresh, vibrant, and full of promise.

But this is only the beginning of the beginning. Our wine will be properly available from November 2025, and by then we hope it will have evolved considerably. The extra time will allow the flavours to deepen and mature, creating an even better drinking experience.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, our commitment remains the same: to keep learning, and keep improving the quality of this exceptional English wine that reflects the care, dedication, and passion we pour into every bottle. We can’t wait to share more with you as we grow — and to welcome you to the vineyard for tastings, tours, and unforgettable moments.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the first of many glasses raised.