The Walsingham Estate has farmed this North Norfolk land for generations. The vineyard is the newest thing planted here. We’re still learning what the Stiffkey Valley can do, and the early vintages are encouraging.
Rooted in History
The estate’s long history on this land shapes how we grow grapes.
We chose a south-facing slope the family already knew from years of farming it. The chalk underneath goes back to the Cretaceous period.
The Stiffkey Valley
Our vineyard lies in the Stiffkey Valley, just south of the historic pilgrimage village of Walsingham in North Norfolk. We’re close enough to the coast to benefit from maritime influence, moderating temperature extremes and extending our growing season, whilst being far enough inland to avoid the harshest coastal conditions.
The valley’s gentle south-facing slopes catch the sun through the growing season. Our soil is flint over chalk. It drains well and holds moisture at depth through Norfolk’s dry summers.
Our Approach to Winemaking
We planted our first vines in April 2019, choosing three varieties matched to our terroir: Bacchus, Solaris, and Pinot Noir. Each responds differently to the Stiffkey Valley’s conditions.
We keep the winemaking simple. Our still wines are made at Burn Valley and our traditional method sparkling at Halfpenny Green. The big decisions happen in the vineyard: when to pick, which parcel goes where and how the fruit is handled.
Our Pinot Noir is wild fermented in stainless steel with 14 days on skins. We want it to taste of this valley.
The Abbey Grounds
Walsingham Estate Vineyard has access to the historic Abbey grounds, eighteen acres of them. We host tastings there through the year, including snowdrop walks in February.
The vines are new. The family’s farming here goes back generations.
Recognition
Jane MacQuitty featured our Pinot Noir as her top English red pick in The Times, describing “vibrant, jolly, red plum fruit.” The WineGB Awards gave Bronze medals to both our Bacchus Reserve 2023 and Pinot Noir 2023.
The medals are nice. We’d grow vines here anyway, because we think this land is worth it.
Come and taste with us in Walsingham.