Tommy Grimshaw
Meet Tommy Grimshaw
Winemaker, Collaborator, and Craft Enthusiast
At just 17, Tommy Grimshaw took a summer job labelling bottles at Sharpham Vineyard in Devon. What began as a casual gig turned into a defining moment. It set the course for a life in wine. “I didn’t grow up with wine,” he admits. “But the energy of that first harvest, the teamwork, the connection to craft. It all just clicked for me.” By the time his friends were heading off to university, Tommy was bottling wines he’d helped create, immersed in the rhythm of the vineyard and learning everything from fermentation to forklift logistics.
Today, as Head Winemaker at Langham Wine Estate and now a creative force behind Vyn Dene’s 2024 vintage, Tommy brings a rare blend of hands-on experience, creative instinct, and low-intervention philosophy to the table. His approach is refreshingly honest. “I want to make wines that are authentic and delicious. Wines that reflect the passion of the people behind them.”
“It has to taste good, and it has to make you smile.”
Blending science with soul
The Artistic Side of Winemaking
Tommy views winemaking as a spectrum between science and art. While he respects the science - running lab tests, understanding sulphur levels, and carefully monitoring ferments - he’s firmly rooted in the creative end. “For me, it’s about the feel, the taste, the intuition. You can’t send a wine off for analysis and get back the smile factor.” Blending, for him, is where the magic happens. “That’s where we really start to shape the vintage,” he says. “We’re pulling together all these different components, and that’s when we get to play. That’s the part of the job that feels most like art.”
The spirit of harvest, bottled
Harvests, Headspace, and the Human Element
When asked about his favourite part of the winemaking calendar, Tommy lights up. “Harvest is electric. Everyone’s on the same mission, and the handover from grower to winemaker. It’s a real moment. But blending is where the real creativity kicks in.” And when the final bottles are poured? “I love sitting near a table at the Langham terrace, hearing people talk about the wine without knowing I made it. That unfiltered feedback. It’s gold.”
Despite his deep connection to the technical and sensory aspects of winemaking, Tommy brings a disarmingly grounded presence. He talks about wine with the same ease that he talks about everyday life – curious, collaborative, and passionate. Whether exploring low-intervention Vinho Verde in Portugal or soaking up inspiration from grower champagnes, it’s clear that his craft is shaped as much by people and place as by process.
Unbound by tradition, defined by place
English Wine. A Blank Canvas with Big Potential
Tommy sees English wine not as a derivative of an Old-World region, such as, France or Germany, but as a fresh canvas. “We’re not weighed down by centuries of tradition here. We can cherry-pick techniques from places like Burgundy or the Mosel, but adapt them to suit our soils, our climate, and our ideas. That freedom is rare.”
He’s especially excited about the future of still English wines. An area where international sommeliers are already taking notice. “The world’s watching now. Still wines from England aren’t just a novelty anymore. They’re a serious part of the global conversation.”
Passion shared, stories poured
Why Vyn Dene?
When asked why he chose to collaborate with Vyn Dene, Tommy’s answer is immediate. “The people. It’s always the people. From the first conversation, it was clear this was about passion, not just product. That makes all the difference for a creative winemaker.” The partnership is one rooted in shared values. Low intervention, transparency, and expressive craftsmanship. But more than that, it’s about building something meaningful from the ground up. “There’s no script yet, which makes it fun. We’re not just making wine. We’re shaping a story.”