Bradstock Estate Vineyard

A Family Vineyard with the Sea on its Doorstep

Set within sight of the sea on Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast, Bradstock Estate is a single-estate vineyard and winery occupying the rolling hills above the village of Burton Bradstock. With more than 100 acres of south-facing vineyard, the estate is drenched by the warmth of the sun on what is often called the British Riviera and kissed by a gentle sea breeze, a maritime influence that runs through every glass of its English still and sparkling wines. The estate is the vision of owners Paula and Michael Lewis, who set out to create world-class English wines after extensive travels through France and Tuscany in 2010.

The Location: Burton Bradstock on the Jurassic Coast

The vineyard sits on a single hill in the heart of Burton Bradstock, a coastal Dorset village that was named the most beautiful village in the UK in 2016. The site's chalk and sand soils are banked by the estate's own freshwater stream, which feeds into the River Bride and a wooded reservoir. This rare combination of free-draining mineral soils, fresh water, and a sun-trap aspect creates near-perfect conditions for vines and gives Bradstock's wines their distinctive character.

Burton Bradstock itself is steeped in history. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Bridetone, and in 1286 land in the village was acquired by Bradenstoke Priory in Wiltshire. The suffix Bradstock derives from this priory, sometimes pronounced Bradenstoke. The cliffs immediately below the estate were used for training by Allied forces before the Normandy landings in 1943, evidence of which can still be seen in the landscape today.

From Horse Paddocks to a 100-Acre Vineyard

The site that is now Bradstock Estate was, until 2020, simply known locally as "The Paddocks" - open grazing land where horses roamed by day and returned to their stables by night. After a long search for the very best land the UK had to offer, Paula and Michael Lewis purchased 90 acres of south-facing, gently sloping sandy soil and set about converting it into a vineyard. The original vines were planted on what had been horse pasture, and the family home and winery now sit at the centre of the vines.

Walking the estate today, you can see the care taken in its design. The south-facing slopes enable the vines to absorb as much English sunshine as possible, while optimum levels of watering and delicately controlled nutrition allow the team to finely tune the leisurely ripening of the grapes. That careful management is at the heart of the Bradstock philosophy: the finest balance of sweetness and acidity that, in the Lewis family's view, only some of the world's most famous wines can hope to achieve.

Science Meets Passion: The Winemaking Team

Living among the vines gives head winemaker Paula Lewis - a lifelong gardener and viticulturist - the unique chance to walk the rows every day, choosing precisely when to begin the handpicking process. Each handpicked parcel of fruit is assessed for quality, ripeness and character, then gently pressed and vinified separately so that Paula can distinguish the subtle yet distinctive differences between different parts of the vineyard. Every year, this provides a varied palette of base wines from which she creates the Bradstock range.

Bradstock's wines are produced using both the traditional method - used for the more complex sparkling wines - and the Italian Charmat technique, used for the more lively, fresh styles. The estate has its own pressing centre and winery on site, so every step of the journey from grape to bottle takes place under one roof.

The English Still Wine Range

Bradstock Estate produces three English still wines, all sourced exclusively from its Dorset-grown grapes. Each wine is handcrafted in small batches and bottled on the estate.

• English White - A gorgeous still white offering aromas of apple blossom on the nose, gooseberry notes with green apple on the palate and a long-lasting finish. Pairs particularly well with white meat.
• English Red - Crafted from an outstanding harvest, this delicate non-oaked blend of the estate's finest grapes delivers a great balance of acidity and light tannins.
• English Rosé - A delicious and elegant rosé delicately handcrafted from only the finest grapes, with hints of strawberry giving a clean, fresh finish.

The English Sparkling Wine Range

Sparkling wines are the centrepiece of the Bradstock Estate portfolio. They are produced using both the traditional method for more complex cuvées and the Italian Charmat method for more accessible styles.

• FirstClass Cuvée - The estate's bestselling wine is a definitive blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The cuvée draws on the best from the single estate and from multiple vintages to achieve the perfect balance of flavours.
• English Sparkling Rosé - Strawberries and cream - what could be more British? A well-balanced sparkling rosé with key flavours of strawberries and gentle bubbles, with hints of apple blossom.
• Blanc de Blancs - A gentle sparkling wine produced using only one type of grape. "White of whites" - a beautifully simple and delightful sparkling wine made entirely from white grapes.

The Cider Range

Beyond wine, Bradstock produces an English cider range using apples and fruit grown on the estate's own fields. All three ciders are made using the same care and attention as the wines.

• Premium English Cider - An extremely refreshing, beautifully clear and fresh sparkling cider from Dorset, inclining towards tartness rather than sweetness.
• Blackberry Blush Cider - Wild blackberries grown on the estate's fields are blended with apple cider and blackberry juice for a wonderfully balanced, crisp and fruity cider.
• Wild Strawberry Cider - Wild strawberries grown on the estate's fields are blended with apple cider and strawberry juice for a crisp, invigorating and fruity cider.

Visiting the Estate

The estate's visitor centre, shop and coffee shop are accessed from the coastal road and offer panoramic views across the Jurassic Coast. According to the owners, wine tourists from across the globe are welcome to visit the coffee shop, peruse the fine wines and take a walk through the vineyards.

At present, the Bradstock team is focused on expanding the vineyards and the winery, and the estate is not open to the public while this work is under way. The estate can be contacted directly for enquiries about private tastings, group bookings and current opening arrangements.

Experiences and Tasting Events

The Bradstock team hosts tasting experiences that pair English wines with elegant food, warm hospitality and beautiful sea views. Private tastings and group bookings can be arranged on request, and announcements of upcoming events are shared on the estate's Instagram feed.

Delivery, Returns and Customer Service

Online orders are handled by South Coast Wines Ltd. As standard, 2 - 3 working day delivery is free on all orders delivered to UK mainland addresses. Faster options are also available:

• Next-working-day delivery: £4.00, on orders over £19.99 placed before 3pm (Mon - Fri).
• Pre-10:30 next-working-day delivery: £15.00, on orders placed before 3pm (conditions apply).

Saturday-delivery and pre-10:30 services are also offered subject to courier cut-off times. Deliveries outside the UK mainland can be arranged by prior agreement; the team will confirm any additional charges before dispatch. All orders benefit from a 30-day return policy, and any shortages or damage must be reported within 48 hours of signing for delivery.

Behind the Brand

Bradstock Estate is more than a business - it is a family project. Paula and Michael Lewis imagined a truly fine English sparkling wine during their travels through France and the Tuscany region of Italy in 2010, returned to England to raise a family, and then spent years searching for the perfect site before finding and purchasing The Paddocks in Burton Bradstock. They now spend every day among the vines along with their children. As Michael puts it: "A wonderful wine from a simply beautiful part of the world."

Quick Facts

• Founded: Vineyard planted 2020 (Paddocks prior to that).
• Owners: Paula and Michael Lewis.
• Head Winemaker: Paula Lewis.
• Vineyard size: 90+ acres (estate total exceeds 100 acres including woodland and reservoir).
• Soils: Chalk and sand, south-facing.
• Range: Three still wines, three sparkling wines, three ciders.
• Location: Burton Bradstock, Dorset, on the Jurassic Coast.