Ancre Hill Estates
Key Terms Pronounced
Wales's pioneering biodynamic producer, crafting orange wines, Pet Nat, and traditional method sparkling from the Wye Valley.
Ancre Hill Estates is a 12-hectare Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in Monmouthshire, South-East Wales. Owned by Richard and Joy Morris, the estate produces around 30,000 bottles annually, spanning traditional method sparkling wines, orange wines, and Pet Nat, all made with minimal intervention and wild fermentation.
- 12 hectares planted in the Wye Valley, near Monmouth, South-East Wales
- Demeter Biodynamic certified since 2014; Organic certified since 2013
- First vintage released in 2008 following initial vine plantings in 2006
- Produces approximately 30,000 bottles annually
- Orange wine made from Albariño with 100% whole bunch maceration for 30 to 50 days
- Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine receives four years of lees contact
- Winery built with straw bale walls and a living green roof
Location and Setting
Ancre Hill Estates sits in the Wye Valley in South-East Wales, close to the border town of Monmouth in Monmouthshire. The vineyard sits at 50 degrees North latitude, at the climatic limit for grape ripening in the Northern Hemisphere. South-facing slopes maximise sunlight exposure, while the Cambrian Mountains and Brecon Beacons provide protection from prevailing weather systems, keeping rainfall comparatively low for Wales.
- Located in Monmouthshire, Wye Valley, near Monmouth border town
- South-facing slopes at 50 degrees North latitude
- Protected by the Cambrian Mountains and Brecon Beacons
- Cool climate with comparatively low rainfall
Soils and Viticulture
The 12-hectare estate is planted on a varied mosaic of ancient mudstone, sandstone, limestone, and some chalky soils. Viticulture follows strict biodynamic principles under Demeter certification, including the use of wild plant tisanes made on the estate. No fining, filtering, or added sulphur is used in the winery, and fermentation relies entirely on spontaneous wild yeasts and bacteria.
- Soils include ancient mudstone, sandstone, limestone, and chalky patches
- Demeter-certified biodynamic practices including on-estate wild plant tisanes
- Spontaneous fermentation using only wild yeasts and bacteria
- Minimal to no added sulphur across the range
Wines and Styles
Ancre Hill produces an unusually broad range for a Welsh estate. Traditional method sparkling wines include a Blanc de Noirs with four years of lees contact. The orange wine is produced predominantly from Albariño grapes using 100% whole bunch maceration lasting 30 to 50 days. Pet Nat wines are made using the Entr'acte, or Intermission, Méthode Ancestrale. The range also includes dry reds and whites, all made under a natural wine philosophy.
- Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine: four-year lees contact, Méthode Traditionnelle
- Orange wine: Albariño, 100% whole bunch maceration, 30 to 50 days skin contact
- Pet Nat produced using Entr'acte Méthode Ancestrale
- Grapes grown include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Albariño, Triomphe, Solaris, and Ortega
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Look it up →History and Recognition
Richard and Joy Morris planted the first vines at Ancre Hill in 2006, with further plantations in April 2007 and 2011. The first vintage was released in 2008. Organic certification followed in 2013 and Demeter biodynamic certification in 2014. The estate has earned recognition at Decanter, the IWSC, and the IWC, and won Bollicine del Mondo in 2012. The winery building itself reflects the estate's sustainability values, constructed with straw bale walls and a living green roof.
- Vines first planted 2006; first vintage released 2008
- Organic certified 2013, Demeter certified 2014
- Won Bollicine del Mondo in 2012; recognised at Decanter, IWSC, and IWC
- Winery features straw bale walls and a living green roof
Sparkling wines show fine mousse and autolytic complexity from extended lees contact. Orange wines deliver textured, tannic white fruit with oxidative depth from long skin maceration. Pet Nat styles are fresh and lightly effervescent. All wines reflect cool-climate precision balanced by natural winemaking character.
- Ancre Hill Estates Blanc de Noirs$35-50Four years of lees contact delivers exceptional autolytic depth for a Welsh traditional method sparkling wine.Find →
- Ancre Hill Estates Albariño Orange Wine$30-45Whole bunch maceration for up to 50 days creates a textured, complex skin-contact wine from an unexpected Welsh source.Find →
- Ancre Hill Estates Pet Nat$25-35Made using Méthode Ancestrale, this lively natural sparkling showcases the estate's minimal-intervention philosophy.Find →
- Demeter biodynamic certification achieved 2014; organic certification 2013; first vintage 2008 from vines planted 2006
- Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine has four years of lees contact under Méthode Traditionnelle
- Orange wine produced from Albariño with 100% whole bunch maceration for 30 to 50 days
- Pet Nat made using Entr'acte Méthode Ancestrale (also called Intermission method)
- Situated at 50 degrees North latitude on south-facing slopes; protected by Cambrian Mountains and Brecon Beacons; soils of mudstone, sandstone, limestone, and chalk