A country house boasting a 22-acre vineyard and sustainable winery opened by Queen Camilla is on the market for £3.4m.
Ancre Hill Estates is a leading producer of natural wine and the winery, one of the most sustainable in the world, was opened by the then Duchess of Cornwall in 2015.
Richard and Joy Morris purchased Ancre Hill in the Wye Valley, Wales, in 1999 and have since developed the business, which produces 30,000 bottles of award-winning wine a year.
They are now looking to retire and sell the estate, which includes 22 acres of vineyards, a four-bedroom farmhouse, several farm buildings and 128 acres of land in total.
Monmouthshire’s sheltered, south-facing land has its own microclimate, creating excellent conditions for growing grapes.
Mr Morris completed a diploma in viticulture and planted the first vines at Ancre Hill in 2006. There are around eight acres of vines at Ancre Hill, predominantly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Albarino, with some hybrid varieties.
Ancre Hill Estates is a leading producer of natural wine and the winery, one of the most sustainable in the world, was opened by the then Duchess of Cornwall in 2015.
The four-bedroom country house boasting a 22-acre vineyard and sustainable winery opened by Queen Camilla is on the market for £3.4m.
Newton Court Farm has a further 14 hectares, planted between 2016 and 2019, and there is scope to expand this with a further 50 hectares of grassland, ideal for planting more vines.
The winery is run with a focus on sustainability, protection of the natural environment and chemical-free production methods. Its eco-credentials include an insulated sedum grass roof and a heat recovery ventilation system.
The Morrises want a buyer who shares their values and will continue the business with a focus on being biodynamic and organic.
They are happy to stay on for a period of handover while the new owners settle in and have a first-class management team led by head winemaker Jean du Plessis.
Richard and Joy Morris purchased Ancre Hill in the Wye Valley, Wales, in 1999 and have grown the business, which produces 30,000 bottles of award-winning wine a year, ever since.
They are now looking to retire and sell the estate, which includes 22 acres of vineyards, a four-bedroom farmhouse, several farm buildings and 128 acres of land in total.
The winery is managed with a focus on sustainability, protection of the natural environment and chemical-free production methods.
A range of machinery and equipment for viticulture is also available by separate negotiation, in addition to existing wine stocks.
Newton Court Farmhouse is a 2,564 sq ft house arranged over three floors with three main reception rooms and four bedrooms.
Adjacent to the cottage are a number of traditional farm buildings including an old cider mill which offers potential for conversion, as well as a storehouse, livestock stalls and a large stone barn.
The current owners are in the process of submitting a pre-application consultation to the local council regarding the conversion of the stone barn and cider mill for residential and holiday rental use.
Newton Court Farmhouse is a 233 square metre house arranged over three floors with three main reception rooms and four bedrooms.
Adjacent to the cottage are a number of traditional farm buildings, including a former cider mill which offers potential for conversion, as well as a storehouse, livestock stalls and a large barn.
The Morrises want a buyer who shares their values and will continue the business with a focus on being biodynamic and organic.
The current owners are in the process of submitting a pre-application consultation to the local council regarding the conversion of the stone barn and cider mill for residential and holiday rental use.
A range of viticultural machinery and equipment is also available by separate negotiation, in addition to existing wine stocks.
Juliette Burt of Strutt & Parker, who is handling the sale, said: ‘The key thing about Ancre Hill is its organic and biodynamic status, which pairs well with the eco-friendly and sustainable winery.
‘The other important factor is its location in Wales. Most people think of the Welsh climate as being quite grey and damp, but this area actually compares well with Hampshire and Sussex, which are also popular wine-growing areas.
‘It faces south and is basically in its own microclimate.
“I think people are more aware now of the importance of buying natural wines and that is what Ancre Hill offers. There are another 50 hectares of grassland so you could almost double the amount of vines you have.
“The Morrises have invested heavily in creating a successful brand. They’ve nurtured it and it’s now coming to market at a time when it’s about to reach peak production, so someone can pick it up and get it going and have a very productive vineyard straight away.”
The property’s green credentials include an insulated sedum grass roof and a heat recovery ventilation system.