Discover Sherborne Castle Estates in Dorset

The tradition of wine making on the Sherborne Castle Estates started in the Middle Ages when Bishop Roger, who built the Old Castle, planted a vineyard on the northern side of the lake. By 1146, this was sufficiently mature to be mentioned in the bull of Eugenius II.

In 1982, the tradition was revived on the estate by John Wingfield Digby at Wake Court in Bishops Caundle. The vineyard has three hectares of vines on a south-facing slope with soil types of limestone loam over clay. The vines are planted on a wide, high wire system known as the Geneva Double Curtain that gives a smaller number of vines per hectare. This gives a better exposure to the light, which is very important to fruiting.

The Special Reserve is a blend of four grape varieties. In addition, two traditional method sparkling wines are made and matured, a white and a rosé. On average, 15,000 bottles are produced each year. The varieties grown are Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Regner, Reichensteiner, Schonburger and Seyval Blanc. Their Brut 2019 won a Silver Medal in the Tropical Burst Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2024.