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
History
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
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
Awards
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