Sharpham Wine & Cheese

About

This thousand year old farm consists of five hundred acres owned by the Sharpham Trust. The house, designed in 1770 by Sir Robert Taylor, overlooks the fields and wooded slopes above the River Dart, two miles downstream of the ancient market town of Totnes. Our aim today is to farm successfully in the modern context and to produce world class wine and cheese in harmony with the environment and the natural beauty of the Estate. Sharpham Partnership is the trading name for the diversified activities run on the family estate. Our vineyards, creamery and dairy farm have been producing wines and unpasteurised cheeses for over twenty years to local, national and international acclaim. By producing our own Red Tractor assured Jersey cow’s milk on the farm and growing a range of carefully selected cool climate grape varieties in the vineyard, we are in control of production from start to finish. The results are individual, hand made wines and cheeses which have a special character and flavour that relates to this unique position in the South Hams area of Devon.

Location Description

Situated on the banks of the River Dart near Totnes in South Devon.

Features

  • English Wines and Cheese.

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
  • Caves:
  • Wedding Facilities:
  • Picnic Facilities:
  • Dog Friendly:
  • Winery Tours:
  • Wine Tasting:
  • Art or Architecture:
  • Organic / Biodynamic:
  • Awards:
  • Wine Club:
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:

Winemaker

Duncan Schwab is Head Winemaker. In 1992, he came to Sharpham to get some wine experience, following his father’s purchase of a three-acre vineyard in Cornwall. Twenty years later and Duncan is one of the most experienced and reputable winemakers in the UK. He lives in Totnes with his wife Chloe, their two young girls and baby Angus.

History

The history of wine in England began at least 2000 years ago when the Romans first brought it here. It is not clear to what extent vines were actually grown here by the Romans, but it is certain that by the time of the Norman Conquest vines were grown. Wine was made in a substantial number of monastic institutions in England – especially in southern England.

At the time of the compilation of the Domesday survey in the late 11th Century, vineyards were recorded in 46 places in southern England, from East Anglia through to modern day Somerset. When Henry II married Eleanor of Aquataine he got the vineyards too and wine became the universal drink in the 12th Century, at a penny a gallon!

By the time King Henry VIII ascended to the throne in 1509 there were 139 sizeable vineyards in England and Wales – 11 of them owned by the Crown, 67 by noble families and 52 by the church. It is not clear why the number of vineyards declined after this period. Some have put it down to an adverse change in the weather; others have linked it with the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.

Around 1750, corks began to be used for closing bottles. This new technology meant that wine aged magically in an airtight bottle instead of turning into a vinegary liquid after a few weeks. Apart from some evidence of various noblemen experimenting with growing grapes and making wine, there seems to have been no real commercial viticulture or winemaking during the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries.

The recovery that occurred after The Second World War was a haphazard process rather than a definite movement. However the revival is now well underway and England can boast a new generation of winemakers who produce wines of distinction. Our consistent award winning wines illustrate that beautifully! There are now nearly 400 vineyards across England and Wales, producing a total of around 2 million bottles a year.

The Team

Mark Sharman is Managing Director of Sharpham Partnership Ltd. After graduating as a mining engineer and working in a Canadian goldmine, he took over the running of Sharpham vineyard from his uncle in 1988 and then the cheese dairy in 1990. In that year, he also became the winemaker at Sharpham and developed the business to focus on high quality wine and cheese and providing an excellent visitor experience.

Abby Smith is Office Manager & Accounts. She started at Sharpham in 1992 following a career change after being a full time professional foster parent for twelve years. In her twenty years here she has been a part time cheesemaker, helped out at events and tastings and worked in the shop. Now Abby manages all the accounts and keeps our paperwork and finances in order! She is a keen singer, performing regularly in a choir and is proud grandmother to little Oscar.

Debbie Mumford is Head Cheesemaker. She joined Sharpham as a vineyard technician in 1988 and took over the cheesemaking in 1990. At this time it was Debbie and one assistant. Debbie now leads a team of eight cheesemakers in the purpose built cheese dairy, constructed in 2002.

Carl Elesmore is a cheesemaker. He has been at Sharpham for five years. Carl doubles up as our resident handyman at Sharpham and loves anything DIY as well as his passion for showing classic cars.

Elke is Retail Sales Manager. She has over twenty years experience working within the creative industries in Germany and the UK. Her varied career includes administrating theatre ship tours and pyrotechnics, and project managing festivals and community events. Before joining Sharpham, Elke worked for five years for the Dartington Hall Trust as a PA and Event Manager.

Our Vineyard Manager, Peter Sudworth joined us in 2001 after a varied career in Britain and abroad, including six years working in South Korea. His interests include music, cycling, growing organic veg and restoring vintage guitars.

Marian Ash is a Director. She grew up at Sharpham. After many creative years as a jeweller and indigo dyer, she has dedicated the last few years developing her flock of sheep which she farms three miles away from Sharpham. She is also Chairman of the Elmgrant Trust.

Other Cheesemakers:

Kate Davis, Nicky Davis, Jane Hazel, Brigette Mumford, Judy Smith and Gilly Roberts.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

The Estate consists of 500 acres of mixed farmland owned by the Sharpham Trust. The house, designed in 1770 by Sir Robert Taylor, stands on a hill overlooking the vineyards, fields and the winding River Dart. The house is also home of the Sharpham Trust, an educational charity that promotes well-being and sustainable living.

Awards

New Release:

2010 Decanter Bronze

2011 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Silver

2012 International Wine Challenge Highly Commended

2012 Taste of the West Bronze

Dart Valley Reserve

2010 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Highly Commended

2010 International Wine Challenge - Highly Commended

2010 Decanter Bronze

2010 South West Vineyards Association Silver

2010 Taste of the West Gold

2011 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Silver

2011 International Wine Challenge Highly Commended

2011 Decanter Bronze

2011 South West Vineyards Association Silver

2011 Taste of the West Silver

2012 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Bronze

2012 Decanter Bronze

2012 South West Vineyards Association Silver

2012 Taste of the West Silver

2012 Sommelier Wine Awards Silver

2013 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Bronze

2013 South West Vineyards Association Trophy - South West Wine of the Year

2013 South West Vineyards Association Trophy - South West Challenge Cup - Best Dry White Wine

2014 Sommelier Wine AwardsGold

2014 Sommelier Wine Awards Trophy - Best wine by the glass

Estate Selection

2010 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Trophy - Dudley Quirk Memorial

2010 International Wine Challenge Highly Commended

2010 Decanter Highly Commended

2010 South West Vineyards Association Silver

2010 Taste of the West Silver

2011 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Silver

2011 International Wine Challenge Highly Commended

2011 Decanter Bronze

2011 South West Vineyards Association Highly Commended

2011 Taste of the West Silver

2012 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Bronze

2012 South West Vineyards Association Bronze

2012 Taste of the West Silver

2012 English Wine Week one off panel inc. Susie Atkins Voted Best Wine to go with Crab

2013 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Silver

2013 South West Vineyards Association Silver

2014 Taste of the West Silver

Barrel Fermented

2010 International Wine Challenge Highly Commended

2010 Decanter Silver

2010 South West Vineyards Association Trophy - Challenge Cup - Best Dry Wine from Commercial Vineyard

2011 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Bronze

2011 South West Vineyards Association Bronze

2011 Taste of the West Gold

2012 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Highly Commended

2012 International Wine Challenge Bronze

2012 Decanter Highly Commended

2012 South West Vineyards Association Bronze

2013 South West Vineyards Association Silver

2013 Taste of the West Silver

2014 Taste of the West Silver

Bacchus

2011 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Silver

2011 International Wine Challenge Silver

2011 Decanter Bronze

2011 South West Vineyards Association Bronze

2011 Taste of the West Gold

2012 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Silver

2012 International Wine Challenge Highly Commended

2012 Decanter Highly Commended

2012 South West Vineyards Association Bronze

2012 Taste of the West Gold

Rosé

2010 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Silver

2010 International Wine Challenge Bronze

2010 Decanter Bronze

2010 South West Vineyards Association Bronze

2011 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Bronze

2011 South West Vineyards Association Stewards Trophy

2011 Taste of the West Gold

2011 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Bronze

2012 International Wine Challenge Highly Commended

2012 Decanter Highly Commended

2012 South West Vineyards Association Highly Commended

2012 Taste of the West Gold

2013 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Bronze

2013 South West Vineyards Association Trophy - Best Rosé Wine from a Commercial Vineyard

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Address

SHARPHAM ESTATE
Totnes, South Devon TQ9 7UT
United Kingdom

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