Alison Curwood and Dale Symons setup the Essex Wine Awards to show case the great wines being produced in Essex. Alison has worked in the wine industry since 2010, working in wine merchants, vineyards, judging at the IWC and IWSC and working at the Decanter magazine. Dale has been a farmer all his life and grows grapes not just for making his own wines but for other vineyards, as far away as Cornwall.   

Following the success of the first Essex Wine Awards in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the 2026 awards were held at Clay Hill Vineyard in the Crouch Valley.

Clay Hill Vineyard produces outstanding wines from clean zesty whites to soft and subtle reds. The views over the Crouch Valley transport you a world away from the hustle and bustle of day to day life, they also serve great cakes in their cafe.

This years wines were tasted and scored by 5 judges using the IWSC and Decanter World Wine Awards scoring as reference. 

PUBLIC TASTING

There was a public tasting of the wines submitted on 19th June 2026 at Clay Hill Vineyard from 2pm to 9pm, the cost was £5 per person and those that attended could taste the best of Essex wine.

If you want to kick back, have a glass of Essex wine with a scrumptious bit of cake, over looking beautiful Essex countryside then try Clayhill Vineyard. 

Clay Hill Vineyard address is

Alison and Dale