An established vineyard & winery in the heart of the Sussex Weald FOR SALE
A well-established vineyard in the heart of the Sussex Weald, with 60 acres of vines, fully equipped winery, Grade II listed farmhouse, holiday cottage and tithe barn for weddings and events, has come to the market through Savills.
Kingscote Wine Estate extends to 152 acres and is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to the Ashdown Forest, and the Bluebell Railway runs through the estate.
There are about 60 acres of vines, including Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Pinot Blanc and Regent. The initial vines were planted in 2010, 2011, and 2013, with extensive planting in 2017. The vineyards have been planted on southerly slopes and have been established to produce a range of both still and sparkling wines. The winery contains all the latest technology for producing premium wine using stainless steel and temperature control. There is also a two-acre apple orchard planted in 2011, the fruit from which has been used in the past to produce cider.
The five-bedroom Grade II listed farmhouse has an abundance of traditional character features and exposed timbers and benefits from views across the vineyard and the beautiful undulating countryside. The Coach House, a two-bedroom property with open plan living space, is currently used as a holiday let.
A traditional timber framed barn is in a prominent position on the estate, with a courtyard to the front and a garden behind, and views over the vineyard and towards the Bluebell Railway. The barn is open plan and full of character, with exposed original timbers, impressive kitchen and bar area, and WCs. At one end, a mezzanine gallery overlooks the main entertainment space, which has been used in the past as a smaller meeting area and as a stage for the band at events.
The estate benefits from a newly constructed Shufflebottom machinery store and workshop, and there is also a substantial barn in the yard, which has potential for a variety of alternative uses.
The remaining land extends to about 80 acres and is predominantly pasture with around 22 acres of woodland, stretching out over opposing sides of the Medway Valley. From the top of the farm there are stunning views across the Weir Wood Reservoir and the undulating countryside beyond, towards the Ashdown Forest. There are also two fishing lakes on the estate extending to about 2.7 acres, which are well stocked with carp, perch, bream and rudd.
Chris Spofforth, Savills head of farm agency in the south east, said: “Kingscote is a well-established commercial vineyard with all the facilities on site to undertake wine production from the vine to the shop. The current owners have more than doubled the number of vines on the estate over the last couple of years and worked hard to build up the brand, resulting in a significant trading opportunity for the new owners. Weddings, events and tourism are a clear area for potential growth. The popular Bluebell Railway runs through the estate providing a great backdrop and there are several prestigious country house hotels and renowned gastropubs nearby.”
Kingscote Wine Estate is on the market at a guide price of £6,750,000. For more information, contact Chris Spofforth on 01444 – 446064.
About:
Savills is a global real estate services provider listed on the London Stock Exchange. We have an international network of over 600 offices and associates and circa 37,000 staff throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, offering a broad range of specialist advisory, management and services to clients all over the world.
