County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month April 2025

Kinsbrook Nimby – The Wine of the Month for April is from Kinsbrook, a vineyard based near West Chiltington in a picturesque and undulating part of West Sussex

The first thing you notice with this wine is the front label, which is simply a small pair of binoculars on the front. On closer inspection, we understand why it is called Nimby – in dedication to all of the peered through fences, typed late night emails and endless calls to the council. The contemporary design is great!

Joe and his partner, Rebecca, favour minimal-interventionalist, regenerative practices both in the vineyard and their winemaking processes. Kinsbrook Farmhouse 1st Floor Café and Restaurant has a well stocked ground floor farm shop and butchery with a focus on local produce.

Winemaker’s notes for Nimby

“Our second go at oaking, this brand new Kinsbrook still red wine blends 50% Rondo with 50% oaked Pinot Noir. A multi-vintage red, the Pinot Noir in ‘NIMBY’ was harvested in 2022 and spent 13 months in new and old reconditioned French oak barrels before being blended with 2023 Rondo wine.

“Bursting with cherry and cassis flavours, this wine is a beautiful example of subtle oaking and demonstrates the great potential that English red wine now has.”

Michael’s tasting notes:

On the nose

• Rich black cherry, blackcurrant and plum

• Smokiness and savoury

• Smell the alcohol, reminded me of a ruby port

On the palate

This unusually for an English Red wine, has a medium body, substantial mouth feel and vibrant acidity.

Pairing

This wine would be a great accompaniment to roast spring lamb.

In summary

I would recommend visiting Kinsbrook Vineyard. There are lots to see and do – the vineyard has just extended the outdoor space allowing great views over the vineyard and al fresco drinking and dining.

Kinsbrook wines are available from the vineyard direct or online at £29 a bottle

Michael Yeoman, Founder of Spirit of the Downs and Brighton and Hove Wine Club

Michael Yeoman specialises in working with small batch wine producers in and around Sussex and the South Downs. He founded Brighton and Hove Wine Club and also creates a range of small batch  Sussex brandies, grape spirits and vodka through Spirit of the Downs based at Bolney.