Sandridge Barton (Sharpham Wine)

The story of Sandridge Barton begins in 1981, when 13 grape varieties were first trialled on the Sharpham Estate near Totnes in South Devon. Madeleine Angevine proved the most promising of those early plantings, establishing itself as the signature variety of the estate. The first commercially released wines arrived in the late 1980s and quickly earned recognition. Over the following decades, Sharpham Wine grew into one of England's most respected producers. In 2022, the operation relocated across the River Dart to Sandridge Barton, a purpose-built, state-of-the-art winery and visitor centre at Lower Well Farm, Stoke Gabriel. The Sandridge Barton vineyard itself had been planted in 2008, three kilometres downriver from the original Sharpham site.

• 13 varieties trialled from 1981; Madeleine Angevine emerged as the standout performer
• First wines commercially released in the late 1980s
• Sandridge Barton vineyard planted in 2008, three kilometres downriver from original site
• New winery and visitor centre completed and opened in 2022

Sandridge Barton sits within the South Devon National Landscape, with south-facing slopes in a sheltered valley overlooking the tidal River Dart. The river exerts a significant warming influence on the microclimate, helping grapes ripen reliably in what is otherwise a cool maritime environment. Soils are notably complex: the main vineyard sits on limestone-rich ground with volcanic tuff and iron-rich content, while the additional 8-acre block planted in May 2021 rests directly on limestone bedrock. A further 8 acres was planted in May 2023 on a former reservoir site. The total planted area now stands at 42 acres, with the main block covering 32 acres.

• South-facing, sheltered slopes with the tidal River Dart providing a warming influence
• Soils include volcanic tuff, limestone-rich ground, and iron-rich volcanic content
• 8-acre block on limestone bedrock added May 2021; further 8 acres on former reservoir site added May 2023
• Located within the South Devon National Landscape (formerly AONB)

Sandridge Barton produces a broad range of still, sparkling, and rosé wines, alongside experimental minimal-intervention releases. The Dart Valley Reserve, made primarily from Madeleine Angevine, is the estate's most popular wine and holds the distinction of being the first and only English wine selected as a Co-op own-brand English wine. Sparkling wines are produced using the traditional Champagne method, and the Blanc de Noir took a Master Medal at the Global Sparkling Masters 2023. The producer has also earned three consecutive gold medals at the Sommeliers Choice Awards and a Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Current grape varieties in production include Madeleine Angevine, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Bacchus, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Meunier.

• Dart Valley Reserve, made primarily from Madeleine Angevine, is the flagship still white wine
• Sparkling wines produced using the traditional method; Blanc de Noir won Master Medal at Global Sparkling Masters 2023
• Three consecutive gold medals at Sommeliers Choice Awards and Gold at Decanter World Wine Awards
• Experimental minimal-intervention wines produced alongside the core range

Sandridge Barton operates under a clear sustainability ethos. No pesticides or herbicides are used in the vineyard, and regenerative practices guide viticulture across all 42 acres. The winery runs on solar energy, with water sourced from an on-site spring and through rainwater harvesting. The 2022 visitor centre at Lower Well Farm offers wine tastings, guided vineyard tours, and dining facilities, making it one of the more complete agritourism destinations in the southwest of England.

• No pesticides or herbicides; regenerative vineyard management throughout
• Winery powered entirely by solar energy
• Water sourced from on-site spring and rainwater harvesting systems
• Visitor centre offers tastings, tours, and dining at Lower Well Farm, Stoke Gabriel