Stopham Vineyard

About Winery and Wines

We chose our vineyard site, which we planted in 2007, for its free-draining sandy soil, southerly aspect, low altitude and beautiful location. Young Vineyard Aerial View Most of our production is for still white wine made from Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc vines. We also have Bacchus (forms 15% blend with our Pinot Gris) and Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Auxerrois for sparkling with Dornfelder for rosé. The vineyard is in an area of outstanding natural beauty in West Sussex and forms part of the South Downs National Park. Vines produce the best fruit on free draining soil, like the sand we have at Stopham. Vine roots can extend more than 6m in the ground making them drought proof once established. However this free draining soil creates challenges which we must address. Firstly, we have had to increase the organic matter in the soil using copious amounts of manure from the Stopham cattle, as well as add fertiliser. Also, rabbits enjoy burrowing in this sand so we always keep a spade handy in the tractor just in case we come across a hole. The vines were planted by a specialist planting team from Germany using lasers to guide the planting tractor at precise distances from the preceding row. We space the rows wide enough to allow good sun exposure. Before planting, the field had been harrowed and sub-soiled so the new vines slotted easily into the soil.