2025 Chardonnay, thirsty birds

11% | Sussex, United Kingdom

  • We are proud to present our elegant first edition Chardonnay. 

    Clean, crisp and vibrant with a zip of lime zest. Its refreshing acidity carries citrus and orchard fruits and a touch of oak rounds out the long linier finish. 

  • Seafood

    • Grilled or pan-fried sea bass, bream, or sole

    • Oysters and clams (the minerality is a lovely match)

    • Scallops, especially with a light butter sauce

    • Crab — dressed crab on toast is a classic

    Poultry & Light Meats

    • Roast chicken with herbs

    • Turkey breast or chicken Caesar salad

    • Pork tenderloin with apple or cream sauce

    Vegetables & Vegetarian

    • Asparagus (a particularly good match with English whites)

    • Leek and goat's cheese tart

    • Corn on the cob with butter

    • Courgette or butternut squash dishes

    Cheese

    • Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert

    • Mild goat's cheese (Ragstone, Dorstone)

    • Lighter cheddars — avoid anything too sharp or aged

    Having said all that, the wine is here for you to enjoy so drink it with whatever you damn well like. 

  • When the South Bank Centre approached us with an exciting proposition—to create a limited edition wine label celebrating their landmark 75th anniversary—we had the perfect combination: our clean, crisp, zesty Chardonnay from Sussex paired with an eager team of designers ready to create the perfect commemorative label.

    The wonderfully talented Trixy Newham (the person responsible for our beloved logo) and graphic designer Crawford Bryce set about creating something fun, vibrant and as memorable as the venue.

    We are honoured to have been asked to be a part of the celebration.

    Thank you - The Thirsty Birds. 

About thirsty birds

Born from friendship, shaped by expertise, and driven by a shared belief that exceptional English wine belongs in every glass — not just every cellar. We are a collective of five women bringing something new from the vineyard.

"We came together through a love of wine, a passion for art, and an unwavering belief that English wine deserves a seat at the table — at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage."

— The Thirsty Birds Team

  • The brainchild behind Thirsty Birds. Amy's career as a Supply Chain Director gave her the vision to see English wine differently — and the drive to do something about it.

  • A seasoned wine buyer who crossed paths with Amy at one of the country's leading wine wholesalers. Harriet's palate is the compass that keeps Thirsty Birds pointing true.

  • Ruth and Amy's friendship was sealed the moment Ruth learned how to safely manoeuvre a 50-litre keg from the back of a delivery truck. Practical, unflappable, indispensable.

  • Keeping the flock financially feathered. Georgina brings commercial rigour to the passion project, ensuring Thirsty Birds flies on solid ground.

  • A lawyer by trade and a wine lover by nature, Susan makes sure Thirsty Birds soars within the rules — and occasionally above expectations.

Pioneering zero-waste wine

Partnering with Sustainable Wine Solutions, Thirsty Birds is proud to be the first English wine producer to embrace the steel keg — a fully reusable, zero-waste format bringing exceptional English wine on tap to a new generation of drinkers.

Learn more about SWS