Spate of English vineyard sales

There has been a spate of English vineyards being sold or up for sale, with plantings roaring ahead and investment in new vineyards. As well as the likes of US giant, Jackson Family Wines, who recently invested in land in Essex, some well-established producers are selling up.

Hambledon, one the the first vineyards established in 1951, has been sold to a consortium of upmarket fine wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd and port producer Symington Family Estates. Hambledon had been struggling financially and it is hoped the new owners will be able to steady the ship.

Bride Valley Vineyard, in Dorset, has been sold which was founded by the late and legendary Steven Spurrier, the man behind the 1976 Judgement in Paris, which put the US wine world on the map. The vineyard, established in 2009, was part of his estate that has been sold by his family.
Meanwhile Cobble Hill Vineyard, a 3.6ha site in Norfolk, on England's east coast, is up for sale for £1.3m with realtor Knight Franks. The sale price also includes 19.4ha of additional land currently not planted.

According to Strutt & Parker, an estate agency and property consultancy, around £480m has been invested in UK vineyards and wineries in the past five years, significantly above capital investment levels in the preceding five-year period.