Brecks Vineyard: A Young English Wine Estate in the Norfolk Brecks
Brecks Vineyard is a young English wine estate quietly redefining what visitors expect from a family vineyard in East Anglia. Tucked into the chalk-rich landscape of the Norfolk Brecks, near the village of Hockwold cum Wilton, this small but ambitious project is the brainchild of the Young family, who planted their first vines in 2023 and are now opening their gates, courtyard and cellar door to anyone curious about the new wave of English still and sparkling wine.
What makes Brecks Vineyard unusual is the breadth of what they pack into their first summer of public trading. As well as producing an award-winning Bacchus, the family is running a packed calendar of vineyard events, including yoga and gong sessions in the vines, fire-cooking BBQ courses with Norfolk Smoke Pit, willow-weaving workshops, relaxed Summer Sundays, and a long-table Feast Night with chef Ottilie from Rabbit & Run. The estate is clearly designed to be lived in as much as it is a working farm.
The Story Behind Brecks Vineyard
Owner Tim Young and his family had long considered the possibility of planting a vineyard on their Norfolk farmland. The geographical location, topography and soil type all lent themselves to viticulture, but the family took a measured approach, consulting several experts and commissioning a full feasibility study before deciding to invest. The conclusion was that a vineyard could sensibly fit into the existing farming operations without material change - and so Brecks Vineyard was born.
The first year was dedicated entirely to land preparation, giving the young vines the ideal conditions to put down strong roots in the soil and subsoil. The site has a solid base of chalk that the family hopes shares characteristics with the Champagne region of France. That chalk allows vine roots to dig freely and deeply, holding moisture like a sponge during dry spells while still draining freely when rainfall is heavy.
The original plan was to harvest the first grapes in 2026 and, by involving two established wine producers under supply contracts, to ramp up production from that point on. The decision was taken to grow a variety of white grapes primarily for the sparkling market, although still white wine is also being produced. As a point of difference and with sustainability in mind, both hybrid (Piwi) and traditional varieties have been planted. The Piwi varieties demonstrate high resistance to fungal diseases, which reduces the need for vineyard treatments, and blocks of Piwis and traditional grapes have been spread throughout the vineyard to provide natural disease breaks.
From Fencing to First Buds
The vineyard journey has been captured in photographs that walk visitors through the seasons: fencing, soil preparation, vineyard planting, trellising, the first buds, cultivating, shoot selection, pruning, spraying, natural regeneration, topping, trimming and tucking, harvest, wine making and bottling. It is a story still very much being written.
Visiting Brecks Vineyard
Brecks Vineyard is at Grange Farm, Burdock Lane, Hockwold cum Wilton, Norfolk, IP26 4JN, and the team can be reached on 01842 828222 or by email at info@brecksvineyard.com. The estate is easy to reach by road and sits in the Brecks area, close to Thetford.
Cellar Door Opening Hours
- Monday: 10am - 2pm
- Thursday: 2pm - 7pm
- Friday: 10am - 2pm
- By appointment outside these hours
If visitors cannot make the regular opening hours, the team asks them to drop a message and they will do their very best to accommodate.
The Wines: Brecks Vineyard Bacchus
The flagship release from Brecks Vineyard is the Brecks Vineyard Bacchus, an aromatic English still white wine made from grapes grown on the estate. The tasting notes from the team describe it as light and aromatic, with notes of elderflower, lime and green apple and a clean, refreshing finish. Crisp, dry and quietly expressive, it is made to be enjoyed young - bright, uncomplicated and best served well chilled.
The Bacchus is available to buy from the Brecks Vineyard Cellar Door shop in two formats:
- Single Bottle - £19.00. Order a single bottle online.
- Case of Six - £114.00. Order a case online. Free delivery is available on all case orders (select "Free Shipping" at checkout), and every case is dispatched with a complimentary gift.
Free delivery is also available on any order over £95. The Bacchus has already picked up awards.
Cellar Door Shop and Gifts
Alongside the wines, the Brecks Vineyard Cellar Door carries a small, characterful range of vineyard-branded goods and local add-ons. The standout is the Brecks Vineyard Cap, priced at £9.00, which the team describes as "the must-have accessory you never knew you needed - equal parts practical and stylish, the unofficial uniform of English wine lovers". It is available to buy online and from the cellar door.
The online shop also offers the wine, the various vineyard experiences, seasonal dining nights, and event tickets that can be added to basket directly.
Vineyard Events and Experiences
Brecks Vineyard is not simply a place to buy wine. From mid-July through to late September, the estate runs an evolving programme of vineyard events designed to draw visitors into the landscape. Individual tickets and bookings are available through the shop.
Summer Sundays @ Brecks
Summer Sundays are the heart of the open calendar. Running on selected Sundays from 11am to 5pm, the open days invite visitors to wander the vines or simply unwind with a coffee or a glass of wine in the rustic courtyard. The mobile bar serves hot and cold drinks alongside a selection of snacks and light bites, and the cellar door shop is open for wines and gifts to take home.
Summer Sundays are free to attend, family-friendly, with free parking, and dogs on leads are very welcome. The remaining 2026 dates are Sunday 16th August and Sunday 30th August. Visitors do not need to book - they can simply turn up.
Norfolk Larder Grazing Board
Exclusively available on Summer Sundays, the Norfolk Larder Grazing Board (£16.00) is a beautifully presented sharing board featuring two local Wilton Farm cheeses paired with rich caramelised onion chutney and a selection of carefully chosen accompaniments. Suitable for vegetarians, the boards are available by pre-order only and can be collected on Sunday 16th August or Sunday 30th August. Meat sharing boards, sausage rolls and snacks are also available to buy on the day from the mobile bar. Pre-order a grazing board.
Friday Night @ Brecks
Friday Night @ Brecks was a one-off launch event staged on Friday 31st July, 6:30pm - 11pm, offering a laid-back evening of street food, the vineyard bar pouring Brecks Bacchus, chilled drinks and beers, coffee, snacks and a feel-good soundtrack in the courtyard. No tickets were required. Future Friday evenings are expected to be added to the calendar in due course.
Yoga & Gong Experience
For those who like to start the day slowly, the Yoga & Gong Experience (£20.00 per person) takes place on Sunday 16th August at 9:45am in the vineyard courtyard. The session opens with a gentle, all-levels yoga class suitable for total beginners and more experienced practitioners alike, followed by a deeply relaxing gong bath. Guests then enjoy a mindful barefoot walk through the vineyard, finishing with a guided meditation amongst the vines and wild flowers. A complimentary hot drink is included, and a Norfolk Larder Grazing Box can be added to round out the day. Spaces are limited. Book the Yoga & Gong Experience.
Beginners Wicker Course (Tipi Weaving)
Willow weaver Sarah Hollingshurst, from Cambridgeshire, runs a relaxed two-hour Beginners Tipi Weaving course in the Brecks Courtyard. The course is priced from £60.00 to £76.00 depending on whether guests add a Norfolk Larder Grazing Box (+£16). The session includes expert tuition, a hot drink and biscuits on arrival, all tools and materials, access to the vineyard, and use of the courtyard before or after the session. Time slots run at 10:00am and 1:30pm. The course is suitable for complete beginners, and Sarah brings additional wicker pieces to view and purchase on the day. See her work on @sarahhollinghurst on Instagram. Book a Beginners Wicker Course place.
Wicker Bunny Course
Due to popular demand, Sarah returns on Saturday 29th August with a day-long Wicker Bunny Course, beginning at 10am. Guests spend the day making their own wicker bunny to take home, with expert tuition, hot drinks and biscuits on arrival, and a delicious lunch provided by The Norfolk Larder. The Wissington & Crispy Smoked Bacon Baguette uses Wilton Farm cheese and a pear & white wine chutney handcrafted by The Norfolk Larder using Brecks Vineyard Bacchus, with a vegetarian mozzarella and tomato baguette option. Reserve a Wicker Bunny Course place.
Fire & Flavour BBQ Course
The headline experience of the summer is the Fire & Flavour BBQ Course (£150.00), run in partnership with Poppy of Norfolk Smoke Pit. Held on Saturday 29th August, 10:00am - 2:00pm, the course is an immersive outdoor fire-cooking experience set in the vineyard, with a relaxed, informal learning format rather than a structured classroom.
Guests are welcomed with tea, coffee and breakfast cooked over fire, then work through a flavour-led menu including fire-warmed smoked ham and cheese croissants, a surf and turf brunch of cedar plank smoked salmon and tomahawk steaks, pork and pineapple al pastor rotisserie tacos with pico de gallo and guacamole, slow-cooked beef birria-style chilli nachos, and a dessert of slow ember-roasted fruit crumble with ice cream. Skills covered include fire management, heat control, direct vs indirect cooking, lumpwood vs briquettes, and the use of Weber Master-Touch kettles and ProQ smokers.
Two beers are included per guest, alongside unlimited soft drinks and water, and a guided vineyard tour of approximately 30 minutes is built into the day, finishing with a light tasting of Brecks wines. Bookings are handled directly via Norfolk Smoke Pit's Fire & Flavour bookings; tickets can also be secured through Brecks Vineyard.
Feast Night at Brecks Vineyard
As summer gives way to autumn, the team hosts its inaugural Feast Night on Friday 25th September, with arrival from 7:00pm. Tickets are priced at £75.00, and the evening is run in partnership with Ottilie of Rabbit & Run.
The format is communal long-table dining in the rustic Brecks Courtyard, with generous sharing platters designed to celebrate local and seasonal produce. The night opens with a welcome glass of Brecks Vineyard Bacchus and seasonal canapés, followed by freshly baked focaccia with whipped Norfolk White Lady cheese, roasted beetroot, Brecks Vineyard honey, thyme and pickled blackberries. The main feast includes BBQ bavette steak with Café de Paris butter, seasonal roasted greens with salt-baked celeriac and brown butter purée, roasted baby carrots with carrot-top pesto and toasted hazelnut crumb, and crispy potatoes with horseradish crème fraîche. Dessert is roasted plums with almond cake, vanilla mascarpone and toasted almonds. Vegetarians can be catered for by leaving dietary requirements at checkout. Spaces are limited and the team expects this to sell out. Book Feast Night tickets.
What Visitors Are Saying
Guest reviews capture the atmosphere well. Angie described a "Sip & Savour" evening with friends, enjoying watching the sunset while drinking and chatting. Meredith called it "the most lovely evening", praising the setting amongst the vines for delicious pizza and wine. Mike summed it up simply: "a wonderful experience drinking the wine where the grapes were grown, with views across the beautiful Norfolk countryside".
The Brecks Team
Brecks Vineyard is a family affair. The team behind the project is Tim Young (Owner), Georgie Young, Bob Young, Daphne Young and Dexter. In Tim's words: "We hope that this exciting diversification can provide longevity to our small family farm. In a world filled with uncertainty, nothing is more certain than the need for wine."
Uncorked at Brecks
Visitors who want to be the first to hear about new releases, tastings and special events can join the Uncorked at Brecks mailing list. The team promises early access to vineyard news and to share news of upcoming events and product launches without bombarding inboxes.
Plan Your Visit
Brecks Vineyard is a young, ambitious Norfolk wine estate that is already punching above its weight with an award-winning Bacchus and a packed summer of events. Whether visitors come to taste still English wine in the cellar door, join a Summer Sunday stroll through the vines, learn to weave a willow bunny, fire-cook over open flames with Norfolk Smoke Pit, or sit down to a long-table feast as the evenings draw in, the calendar offers something from mid-July through to late September. Appointments outside the regular opening hours can be arranged by contacting the team on 01842 828222 or at info@brecksvineyard.com.