Harrow & Hope, is a small family-run estate established around 2010 on a south-facing chalk and flint slope above Marlow, in the Thames Valley, Buckinghamshire. Their single-vineyard is planted with classic Champagne varieties — Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

Buckinghamshire, and more broadly the part of the UK known as Thames & Chilterns, is increasingly recognised for high-quality wine growing. Its charm lies in the chalky, flint- and gravel-rich soils of the rolling hills — especially the Chiltern Hills — combined with south-facing slopes and a temperate, relatively mild climate. These conditions are well suited to the classic grape varieties of English wine: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier — ideal for sparkling wines — and aromatic whites such as Bacchus.

In recent years small boutique vineyards have multiplied across Buckinghamshire. Their scale — often just a few acres — allows careful vine management, selective harvesting and a focus on terroir and quality rather than volume. The gentle slopes and chalky soils mirror, in some ways, those of famous continental regions, giving wines a crisp acidity, mineral clarity, and distinctive English character.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.