Sandridge Barton, the home of Sharpham Wine, is toasting a bumper harvest. With the help of paid workers and community volunteers, more than 80 tonnes of grapes – enough for approximately 80,000 bottles – have been picked over a four-week period.
Duncan Schwab, CEO and Head Winemaker at Sandridge Barton, said “this is going to be one of the best vintages to date. The grapes have a great fruit intensity, high sugars and balanced acidity.”
It’s been a momentous year for the Devon-based wine producer, its new visitor centre, winery and restaurant situated in the countryside on the east bank of the River Dart launched in June. Since then, the estate has gone from strength to strength, welcoming visitors for tours and tastings, stunning food at the on-site restaurant Circa and overnight stays at the gorgeous self-catering accommodation.
Duncan Schwab commented on the year so far, “The number of visitors is growing following our move over the river from the original Sharpham Wine site. Feedback on our new home has been incredible, with tours and tastings taking place in beautiful surroundings and buildings. The weather over the summer certainly helped attract visitors with our south-facing courtyard proving a real success. Another huge hit is our new restaurant, Circa, which has wowed customers with its stunning menus featuring foraged food and produce from the estate, as well as fish and seafood from nearby Brixham Fish Market.”
Vines were first planted at Sandridge Barton in 2008. Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Chardonnay, Madeleine Angevine and Pinot Gris are now grown in the vineyards which spread across 32 acres of the 450-acre estate. The Sandridge Barton estate is positioned just south of the village of Stoke Gabriel, which is a few miles upriver from the ever-popular town of Dartmouth and a few miles downriver from Totnes. Rich in history, most of the land falls into the South Hams AONB.
A vineyard called Stony Field, which is on a limestone ridge, was recently planted. Some of the premier wine districts in the world are planted on limestone and this, coupled with the increase in popularity of English wines, sets an exciting future for the bottles produced at Sandridge Barton.
The estate invited community volunteers to take part in two days of grape picking this year, on 24 September and 15 October. Around 80 volunteers joined in the fun, with people of all ages, including individuals, couples and families all getting involved. After all of their hard work, everyone enjoyed a barbecue and a glass (or two!) of wine and took home a bottle at the end of the day. On 24 September, the enthusiastic and willing community volunteers were busy picking four tonnes of Madeleine Angevine, a white grape variety which grows well in cooler climates and can be eaten as well as made into wine. On 15 October, it was onto Pinot Noir, with six tonnes picked. The weather was great on both days, making it an even more enjoyable event for everyone involved.
To find out more please visit sandridgebarton.com and to stay up to date ‘like’ or ‘follow’ Sandridge Barton Wines on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
