1. Introduction

The idea of a vineyard at Chilworth Manor was first conceived in 2012 with the first commercial sale taking place in 2017.

We currently have 14,066 vines producing a mix of traditional champagne grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay). Running a vineyard is a long-term business, and we are only now reaching full production. The grapes need to fully grow and our sparkling wine also requires over 5 years on the lees to reach maturity. We are a founding member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. This scheme was launched in February 2020 and is a call to vineyards across the country to establish environmental practices as a cornerstone of the UK wine industry.

As part of this commitment to sustainability, we have invested heavily in environmentally friendly frost protection and fertigation systems and use mechanical cultivation to avoid the use of herbicides to remove weeds.

Our frost protection system is a pioneering nature-based solution that releases 140 times more heat simply by spraying water on frosty nights. If you would like to learn more about this state-of-the-art system, please book one of our wine tours here. Our fertigation system allows compost and nutrients to be applied directly to the vines, which reduces the need to use a tractor.

View of the Watch House Vineyard during autumn

For Children: 

Q: What fruit is used to make wine?  

CLUE: They’re dried to form raisins 

A: Grapes  

Aerial view of the vineyard before the Cherry Garden extension was planted

Navigation 

Continue up the hill, just before you reach the entrance you came in through, you will see the next stop on your left. Here you will learn about Chilworth Manor and the church.