Chet Valley Vineyard: A Family-Run Sustainable English Winery in the Heart of South Norfolk
A Norfolk Vineyard with a Century of Roots
Tucked into the sheltered, sun-soaked fields of Bergh Apton in South Norfolk, just nine miles south of Norwich, Chet Valley Vineyard is a single-estate English winery producing award-winning still and sparkling wines with a quietly distinctive philosophy: marry technical expertise with sensitivity to the grape and to the land that grows it. The vineyard spans more than 10 hectares of family-owned land that has belonged to the Hemmant family for around a century, and the first vines were planted in 2010 by owner-winemaker John Hemmant, a graduate chemist turned proprietor-vigneron.
Today the estate is led jointly by John and Bridget Hemmant. It combines a working vineyard, a purpose-built winery completed in 2020, a cellar door shop, a venue hire space, a wedding licence, and even an on-site holiday cottage - The Vine House - set among the rows themselves. Together they form one of the most complete visitor experiences offered by any English vineyard.
Terroir, Climate and the Hemmant Heritage
The family's agricultural roots run deep. Previous generations farmed in Lincolnshire before John's great-uncle Fred Hemmant settled in Norfolk four generations ago. Fred kept a stable of horses, and the well-rotted organic matter they left behind gives the topsoil of the vineyard a richness that any vine-grower would envy. Below that, the ground gives way to sandy loam, gravel and pure sand, with boulder clay beneath. Each vine pushes a tap root deep enough to hit the boulder clay, drawing on its nutrition and water reserves through the drier months.
East Anglia's microclimate is unusually well suited to viticulture: dry, sunny summers with temperatures higher than the UK average, and crisp frosts in dormancy that knock back vine diseases. The region is famously prone to "Indian Summers" in September and October, delivering high sugar and aromatic intensity at exactly the moment the grapes need it. It is no accident that the wines carry crisp fruit and refreshing acidity even in a warm vintage.
The family motto, borrowed from a Queensland-dwelling ancestor who helped establish that state's coat of arms, is Audax at Fidelis - bold but faithful. John interprets this as bold technical experimentation paired with faithful respect for traditional winemaking. The result is a range that includes sparkling Skylark, traditional-method House of Hemmant cuvées, and varietal stills such as Siskin, Swift and Robin Redbreast.
Sustainability Woven Through Everything
Chet Valley became accredited under the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) scheme in 2022, and environmental thinking runs through every part of the operation. The estate measures and tracks carbon, water and soil health, uses biological and cultural pest control wherever possible, recycles grape stems, skins and seeds into a resilient mulch, and is the holder of a WineGB Coronation Pledge, which has resulted in the construction of the "Coronation Pond", a new wetland habitat sitting among the rows.
The vineyard also operates a careful permaculture: rows are spaced unusually widely at 2.4 metres to encourage airflow and minimise fungal disease, with green-fertiliser crops such as alfalfa and grasses sown between them. The borders of the site are planted with wildflowers - mallow, parsley, red campion, yarrow - alongside field maple, crab apple and cherry trees, creating habitat corridors for pollinators and small birds. The estate is part of the Buglife B-lines project, partners with the Bergh Apton Conservation Trust, and collaborates with the University of East Anglia and the University of Cambridge on vineyard ecology. UEA researcher Natalia Zeilonka's work on the birds visiting the site is the reason several wines are named for the winged visitors: Skylark, Siskin, Linnet, Swift, Red Kite, Robin.
A dedicated five rows - the "Bishops Rows" - are farmed completely organically as a control for the estate's future transition, in partnership with the Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher. And because the team uses clay sourced on-site as a fining agent instead of isinglass or casein, the entire Chet Valley range is vegan-friendly.
The Wines
Chet Valley's range is small but considered: cool-climate still and sparkling wines, all single-estate, all named for the birds that visit the vineyard. Bottles are sold through the online shop with free delivery on orders over £120, and through stockists including Jarrolds in Norwich and East of England Co-op stores.
Sparkling Wines
- Skylark Brut 2023 - A dry white sparkling made by the traditional double-fermentation method from a blend of Phoenix and Seyval Blanc. Apple, melon, white peach and elderflower aromatics with toasty lees complexity. 12% ABV. From £29.99. View bottle.
- Skylark Demi Sec 2022 - A sweeter style of the same blend, ideal with festive desserts or canapés. From £29.99. View bottle.
- House of Hemmant Blanc de Noirs 2022 - A light rose-gold sparkling made from 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Pinot Meunier, hand-harvested at Chet Valley. 18 months on the lees imparting brioche flavours. From £32.99. View bottle.
- House of Hemmant Cuvée Royale 2023 - The flagship Méthode Champenoise: 50% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier. Green apple and citrus layered with brioche and biscuit from lees ageing. 12% ABV. View bottle.
- Red Kite Brut 2022 - A traditional-method light red sparkling from 100% Regent. Cranberry and cherry aromas with light tannins and a fine mousse, made from the first fruit produced in the new winery. From £29.99. View bottle.
- Two Shades of Pink, One Perfect Pair - A limited-edition collaboration with Tindall Brewery pairing a House of Hemmant Blanc de Noirs 2022 with Tindall's Champagne Super-Rosa blush beer. £42.50 the pair. View pairing.
Still Wines
- Siskin 2023 - A Solaris dry white, two-day maceration, light pressing, sequential malolactic fermentation for a creamy mid-palate. Apple, pear, lemon and melon. From £19.50. View bottle.
- Swift 2023 Schönburger - Aromatic dry white with lemon, quince, rose petal, elderflower and lychee. From £19.99. View bottle.
- Robin Redbreast 2025 Cabernet Noir - A light red with mulberry and red-fruit flavours and gentle vanilla from oak. 11% ABV. From £19.50. View bottle.
Cases of six or more bottles qualify for free UK delivery, and a wine subscription option lets regulars receive their favourite bottle every three months. Mixed cases can be ordered through the Mixed Wine Cases category, while those looking for the perfect gift can browse the Vouchers section, which includes bottle-plus-tour pairings, picnic hampers and sparkling tour-for-two experiences.
Vineyard Tours and Wine Tastings
The team's most popular experience is the Guided Wine Tasting Tour, which runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays between April and October, with start times at 11am and 3pm. Priced at £30 per person, the two-hour tour begins at the cellar door and shop, moves into the vineyard for an interactive walk among the vines, returns to the purpose-built winery for a step-by-step look at the winemaking process (with particular focus on sparkling production), and finishes with a tutored tasting of at least four Chet Valley wines. Under-18s go free, well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and group bookings of 10+ can be arranged on weekdays.
For those who want a little more, lunch can be added at £26 per person, served on the winery balcony at 13:30. The lunch menu offers three locally-sourced platters - a meat and cheese platter of Serrano, chorizo, salami and Norfolk cheeses; a fish platter of smoked mackerel, smoked salmon and freshwater prawns; or a vegetarian/vegan platter with falafel, halloumi and hummus - all served with freshly baked rolls, salads and strawberries with cream.
The tour gift vouchers are equally popular:
- Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting Voucher - From £30 (with optional lunch to £56).
- English Sparkling Wine Tour for Two - £75, with optional lunch upgrade.
- Skylark Bottle Plus Tour & Tasting Voucher - Now £45 (was £60).
Vineyard Picnics
For a more leisurely day, the Vineyard Picnics experience is hard to beat. At £85 for two people, guests receive a rustic picnic basket filled with locally-sourced Norfolk produce - cheese, charcuterie, freshly baked bread, olives, savoury pastries, salads and strawberries with cream - alongside a coupon redeemable against a bottle of Chet Valley sparkling or still wine. Three menus are offered (Ploughman's, Seafood or Vegetarian) and picnics can be eaten on the winery balcony or, rug-in-hand, anywhere among the vines. Picnics run from May until early October, and a VIP package combining the picnic with a morning vineyard tour is available for £120 per couple.
Upcoming Events at the Vineyard
Chet Valley runs a varied programme of community-led events throughout the spring and summer, alongside annual occasions such as the grape harvest and Norwich Wine Week.
- Pizza & Fizz Fridays - £23 per person. A relaxed evening of artisan pizzas from Simple Slice paired with a glass of sparkling Skylark. Upcoming dates: 7th August and 21st August 2026, 5:00 - 9:00pm (pizza served 6:00 - 7:30pm).
- Vineyard Nights; Sip and Paint with Seventy8 Art Studio - £42 per person. A guided sip-and-paint evening with three Chet Valley wines and an open bar. Next date: Friday 14th August 2026, 7:00 - 9:30pm. Optional £26 charcuterie add-on.
- Bottles and Brushes; Vineyard Edition with Seventy8 Art Studio - £22 per person. Bottle-painting evening with open bar and optional charcuterie. Next date: Friday 28th August 2026, 7:00 - 9:30pm.
- Mussel & Fizz Fridays - £25 per person. Main course plus a glass of Skylark in the heart of the vineyard. Recent dates have included 26th June and 17th July 2026.
- Norwich Wine Week - A city-wide celebration in which John hosts tutored tastings at the Maids Head Hotel and at Jarrolds.
Throughout July and August the Wine Meadow beside the Coronation Pond is also open informally on Friday and Saturday afternoons, 2pm - 6pm, when visitors can drop in without booking and enjoy a glass of their favourite Chet Valley wine from the Skylark Bar.
Weddings at Chet Valley
The estate is licensed for weddings and can host ceremonies and receptions for up to 50 guests. Couples can choose between an intimate ceremony among the vines beside the Coronation Pond (with the converted horsebox "Skylark Bar" alongside) or the upstairs Wine Hall with its balcony and panoramic views across the vineyard and surrounding fields. The team can recommend caterers, florists, photographers and event stylists, and the on-site Vine House cottage offers accommodation for the bride, groom or close family the night before and the night of the wedding.
For couples who don't get married at Chet Valley but want to pour its wines at their wedding, the Wedding Wine service offers personalised tastings with John, food-pairing advice and bulk discounts on significant orders. Bespoke wedding-day labels can also be printed for an additional cost.
Venue Hire, Corporate Events and Business Meetings
The Wine Hall and its balcony are also available for private hire for birthdays, christenings, anniversaries and away-days. Capacity is up to 50 seated, with ample on-site parking and plenty of wine on tap. John and the team can recommend a list of trusted caterers or work with the client's own choice. Recent guests have hosted charity fashion shows, business planning retreats and family celebrations alike.
Vine Leasing: Become a Chet Valley Grower
For those who want a more personal relationship with the vineyard, the Vine Leasing scheme - from £211 for one year - lets you lease between six and fifteen vines and receive a personalised lease certificate, between 12 and 30 bottles of your own wine per year (still, sparkling, or a mix depending on the harvest), free wine flights for four people, priority booking on events, a quarterly newsletter, and 10% off all Chet Valley wines and events. Custom-labelled bottles are also available at extra cost. Featured by the Eastern Daily Press, Great British Wine and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, it is a popular wedding and milestone-birthday gift.
The Wine Lovers Club
The Chet Valley Wine Lovers Club is the more immersive subscription option. Priced at £250 per year, members receive 12 bottles of still wine and 12 bottles of sparkling wine per year (delivered as mixed cases twice a year), access to member-only events including the pruning demonstration, new vintage launch, blending day, conservation and biodiversity day, and the members' harvest supper. Members also enjoy a wine flight for two, a 10% discount on all wines and events, and priority access to new releases.
Stay at the Vine House
For visitors who want to extend their stay, the Vine House is a recently converted single-storey stable building set among the vines. The self-catering cottage sleeps up to six, has three bedrooms, an open-plan living space with a wood burner, a fully equipped kitchen and a terrace overlooking the vineyard. Norfolk Broads, the coast and Norwich are all within easy reach, and the cellar door is on the doorstep. Bookings can be made by contacting the team directly.
Wine Wholesale and Trade
The full Chet Valley range is available to UK trade customers through the Wine Wholesale programme. The team offers personalised tastings, branded materials, detailed tasting notes and promotional content, and can support custom blends and private labelling for both on-trade and off-trade partners. There is also a recommend-a-business scheme offering discounts on next orders.
Visiting Chet Valley Vineyard
The cellar door shop is open on-site Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm, with Saturday visits available by appointment. The estate is family- and dog-friendly throughout. Free parking is available on site and taxis can be arranged to collect from the winery.
Address: Chet Valley Vineyard, Loddon Road, Bergh Apton, Norfolk, NR15 1BT.
Email: info@chetvineyard.co.uk
Telephone: 01508 333002 (mobile: 07716 875235)
Chet Valley Vineyard is featured in The Sunday Times and Eastern Daily Press, was named by The Times as one of the UK's Top 7 Vineyards, and is a past winner at the South Norfolk and Broadland Business Awards for Excellence in Agriculture, Food and Drink. Follow the vineyard on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn and YouTube for the latest releases, harvest updates and event announcements.
Whether you arrive for a tasting, a picnic, a wedding, or a painting evening with a glass of Skylark in hand, Chet Valley delivers one of the most complete English vineyard experiences in the country - quietly bold, deeply faithful to its land, and unmistakably rooted in family.