Kent’s Balfour Winery has signed a five-year partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club becoming the Premier League team’s English Wine Partner.
The deal means that Balfour wines will be the exclusive pour across the American Express Stadium’s hospitality areas. This commences in fitting style with Brighton’s UEFA Conference League game tonight (20 August) against Norway’s Tromso IL – the country being Balfour’s top export destination.
Also, to celebrate the Club’s 125th anniversary, it poured Balfour Leslie’s Brut NV for guests at the ribbon cutting for ‘The Stand or Fall’ exhibition at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery (see photo).
Members of Brighton’s premium ‘1901 Club’ will benefit from an exclusive offering from Balfour Winery, including private tastings and events at the estate.
Director of sales at Balfour Jordan Painter believes there are “strong parallels” between the winery and Football Club in terms of “innovation, ambition, and confidence”.
Jo Brooks, head of partnerships at the Club, added: “We’re really excited to partner with Balfour Winery and look forward to working with them for the next 5 years.
“As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, it’s brilliant to welcome a local, award-winning English brand like Balfour to the Albion family. We can’t wait to share their wines and work together in evaluating the experience for our members throughout the season.”
The footballing links do not end there, earlier this year Balfour partnered with sporting legends Ian Botham and Geoff Hurst to create ‘1966 cuvée’ to celebrate Hurst’s hattrick during England’s World Cup win, 60 years on from the famous day.