The Great British Vineyards Guide

Summer 2026 Newsletter

Summer Open Day
Saturday 18th July 2026
10am - 2pm

We’ve decided to have our first ever Summer Open Day with guided tours around the organic and biodynamic vineyard.  As you may know, we’re normally only open to trade by appointment, but we’d like to give everyone the opportunity to come and see for themselves what makes us different, and to taste our delicious wines whilst in the beautiful chalk landscape that shape them.

Our farm has become a hub for artisan producers, particularly world-class drinks, so our neighbours and collaborators at Offbeat Wines and Downton Distillery will also be open.  You’ll be able to meet the viticulture growers, producers and makers behind these award-winning, highly respected labels and drinks.

After tending to the vines all year and handpicking the grapes at harvest, our trusty, rather rusty old tractor, only has to drive a few meters to Offbeat Wines where Daniel and Nicola Ham work their magic in the winery.  They are negociant winemakers who not only make Domaine Hugo, but also create a handful of other small batch, highly expressive, low intervention wines that constantly push the boundaries of wine making in England.

Downton Distillery is a micro-distillery known for its adventurer-inspired, locally sourced artisan spirits.  Hugh planted a small botanical garden a few years ago that is now thriving, and he has a wide range of distinctive liqueurs and spirits including an Eau de Vie made from grape juice lees and a Marc, or Grappa, made from our grape pomace. 

This is a FREE event but please book a ticket before attending. Visit any time between 10am and 2pm that suits you.

Vineyard tours: 10am and 12 noon
Winery tours: 11am and 1pm
Distillery is open 10am-2pm

*Children and dogs must be supervised. Tastings available for 18+ years*

Just in case you missed it, our Multi Vintage Brut Nature was given 95 points and rated Outstanding in the most recent edition of Decanter Magazine.  This is our first multi vintage, that has predominantly 2022 but with some 2021 and 2020.  Most our earlier vintages included some reserve wines, but as the vines age and our yields increase, we now have the ability to incorporate a little more to add some extra depth and to even out the English summer weather variations.

Their expert tasters gave comments including “Spiced bread and bruised apple.  Loads of character and an artisan feel. Very dry but can take it…Deep, nutty croissant aromas, a hint of smokiness, fruit more subtle on the nose…Evolved palate of grilled almond and mushroom, with a creamy, satisfying finish”.

New Local Salisbury Wine Merchant

We’re now being sold at Museum Wines, who were previously at Tarrant Hinton, but have opened a new warehouse store in Churchfields, Salisbury.  They specialise in  South African wines, but have a small selection of local English wines and spirits.  

We hope to see some of you at our open day on Saturday 18th July.