Portrait of Simon Roberts
i. Biography
Coming Up
Plumpton Winemaking College gave Simon Roberts the technical base; Ridgeview, where he worked as winemaker from 1999, gave the long repetition that defines cellar craft. The work sits with precision, patience and the controlled timing required to turn grapes into sparkling wine.
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Where They Are Now
Since 2014, Simon Roberts has served as Head Winemaker at Ridgeview, where continuity depends on detail held across seasons. The role is less about single-season decisions than about keeping style aligned through process, cellar practice and the long view that sparkling wine demands.
Signature
Ridgeview Red Reserve is Simon Roberts’ signature wine. It sits inside Ridgeview’s house style while also marking the particular judgement behind his work: a wine made to register as both house and hand.
In Their Words “Taiwanese food is a mouthwatering match with Ridgeview wines – the combination of sweet, sour and fresh acidity come together in harmonious balance.” That reading comes from someone working in balance by trade. The pairing is framed in terms of sweetness, sourness and fresh acidity, with each element kept in relation to the others rather than pushed to the front. “The evolution of growing something and converting it into something to celebrate – Sparkling wine! – it was amazing.”
The line gets to the central move in sparkling wine: cultivation turned into something celebratory. For Simon Roberts, the interest is in the conversion itself — from growth to finished wine — and in the discipline required to make that change feel exact.
Honors
Ridgeview Red Reserve won WineGB’s inaugural Pioneer Trophy in 2023. For Simon Roberts, the award fixes the wine at a significant point in the category’s history and confirms its place within Ridgeview’s output.
FAQ
Asked of Simon
What is Simon Roberts's current role?
As of 2026, Simon Roberts is Head Winemaker.
Where did Simon Roberts train or study?
Simon Roberts trained at Plumpton Winemaking College.
What recognition has Simon Roberts received?
WineGB, Pioneer Trophy (2023).
The Sunday email
Read about chefs like Simon Roberts in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.