Cobble Hill Vineyard and Winery: Family Wines from the North Norfolk Coast
A family vineyard rooted in five generations of Norfolk farming
Overlooking the rugged North Norfolk coastline, a short tractor ride from the bucolic village of Burnham Market, Cobble Hill vineyard is owned and managed by the Perowne family, who have farmed the land here for five generations. Together they produce a small but beautifully formed range of still and sparkling wines that showcase the beauty of England's green and pleasant land - grown, produced and bottled at Cobble Hill itself.
Today the wines are stocked at Cobble Hill's own cellar, sold direct from the online shop and poured at carefully curated tastings, tours, supper clubs and seasonal events across north Norfolk. Day-to-day life on the farm is shared via the lively Instagram feed at @cobblehillwine.
Our story - from a single vine to a thriving winery
It all started with a vine. A single vine, presented by Julia Perowne to her father Robert on his 60th birthday. Robert is the fourth generation of his family to farm the land here, cultivating onions, barley, wheat and other crops - as well as tending a herd of highland cattle - across his 1,900 acres of Norfolk countryside, just a short tractor ride from the coast. But Jules knew he still harboured one unrequited dream - to grow grapes.
In 2016, Robert planted not just that one vine, but 17 rows of them, on a ten-acre south-facing, chalk-laden piece of land he'd purchased almost 20 years earlier. He had noticed how, because of the constant flow of coastal air, the soil here, dotted with heat-reflecting stones, was never impacted by spring frost - a constant bugbear for many English wineries. Sure enough, his hunch proved right, with the results sufficiently encouraging for Robert to quickly put another 150 rows of Bacchus, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir into the ground.
Of course, if you've got a vineyard, you're going to need a winery - or at least somewhere to make wine. Having initially had the grapes tended by his farmhands and pressed in a contract facility, Robert knew he needed more control. So he did what any sensible farmer would do, and turned a 200-year-old barn (originally built by William Hoste, one of Admiral Nelson's captains) into a winery, investing in the necessary tanks, barrels, de-stemmers, pallets and press to do the job himself.
As things stepped up in terms of professionalism, so too did the ambition. With Jules taking a more hands-on role, she was able to call in some industry contacts for advice, in the form of former editor of Decanter magazine Guy Woodward and England's premier viticultural consultant Stephen Skelton. With a blueprint in place, she assembled a crack team to oversee all aspects of production, which today is led by winemaking consultant Emma Rice and winemaker Rachel Lee. Between them, they make a small, focused and - they like to think - perfectly formed range of still and sparkling wines that showcase the cool, coastal character of north Norfolk. Quite the progress from a single vine.
Meet the makers
Robert Perowne - Founder and grower
Having grown up in the farmhouse at High House Farm, Robert is the fourth generation of the Perownes to tend the land here in north Norfolk. He had his own vegetable garden aged six, and today produces around 15,000 tonnes of sugar beet, 3,000 tonnes of onions, 1,800 tonnes of wheat, 1,200 tonnes of barley and 1,200 tonnes of potatoes, as well as marshalling a small herd of highland cattle. It was Robert who first planted the Cobble Hill vineyard in 2016, convinced that the nine-acre site was perfect for the grape varieties that flourish in England's cool climate. That hunch has been proved right, and Robert is only too happy to enjoy the fruits of his success in liquid form.
Rachel Lee - Vineyard manager and winemaker
Rachel studied history and politics in Newcastle and Stockholm before transitioning into the world of wine. She completed harvests in Australia, at Yabby Lake, and in England, at Hattingley Valley - latterly with Cobble Hill's now consultant winemaker Emma Rice, who was struck by her enthusiasm and have-a-go attitude when producing the 2020 vintage against the backdrop of Covid. Rachel completed her Masters in Viticulture and Oenology in Angers, France, with stints in Portugal and Italy and a year-long apprenticeship in the Loire Valley, at the rather wonderfully named Sagesse des Sols ('Wisdom of the Soil'). Returning to the UK, Rachel has not only been reunited with Emma, but has traced her own family roots back to Norfolk - Cobble Hill's High House Farm is just a stone's throw from where her grandmother grew up and her great grandfather was the parish rector.
Emma Rice - Consultant winemaker
One of England's most respected winemakers, Emma grew up in Sussex and graduated from the UK's leading wine education centre, Plumpton College, before working at wineries in New Zealand, Tasmania and the Napa Valley. She returned to the South Downs in 2008, where she built her reputation as Head Winemaker at Hampshire's Hattingley Valley, helping it grow from its first harvest to one of the largest - and most reputed - in the country. In 2022 she left to launch her own business, and today she is highly sought after as a consultant winemaker, working for several clients across England. Having twice been named UK Winemaker of the Year, and being a director on the board of industry body WineGB, the Cobble Hill team is thrilled to have her as their first client in Norfolk.
Jules Perowne - The next generation
The next generation of Perownes, Jules' day job - running a leading media and marketing agency for luxury travel and hotel brands - sees her managing a team of 70 staff while flitting between clients on all sides of the world. But as the next generation of Perownes, her happy place is right here on the farm where she grew up. Having seen the rapid progress that her father Robert made with the vineyard from a standing start, she was determined to take it to the next level by assembling a formidable team of professionals. With that team now in place, she brings her marketing and branding skills to bear to take Cobble Hill forward.
The wines - a small, focused range built on three varieties
The Cobble Hill range is built around three grape varieties, each chosen for the way it expresses the cool, coastal character of north Norfolk.
Pinot Noir
One of the oldest known varieties, Pinot Noir lends itself well to England's cooler climate and enables Cobble Hill to produce fantastic still and sparkling wines. It appears in the Classic Cuvée blend, as a single-varietal sparkling Brut Rosé and as a still red and rosé.
Bacchus
An earlier-ripening, reliable and consistent grape variety. Of German origin, Bacchus has become arguably England's flagship varietal for still wines - an aromatic not dissimilar to Sauvignon Blanc, with delicate elderflower and gooseberry notes.
Chardonnay
A trickier grape variety to grow but high yielding and versatile. At Cobble Hill it forms the backbone of the sparkling Blanc de Blancs and the oak-aged still Chardonnays.
Current vintages
The current cellar-door and online range includes the following wines, all bottled at 75cl:
- 2023 Brut Classic Cuvée - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir come together in this signature fizz. Made in the traditional style, this Champagne-style sparkler sees the two varietals in perfect harmony, with the Chardonnay lending a touch of ageability. ABV 11%. £30.
- 2021 Brut Blanc De Blancs - 100% sparkling Chardonnay with extra time on the lees accentuating a brioche character that complements the citric flavours of the grape. The best sparkler to lie down; will continue to develop complexity with age. ABV 12%. £30.
- 2023 Brut Pinot Noir Rosé - 100% sparkling Pinot Noir produced in the traditional method. The grapes are pressed slowly to release flavour and colour, with notes of crisp, refreshing red fruit. ABV 11%. £30.
- 2025 Pinot Noir Rosé - Gently pressed to preserve the cherry-blossom and red-berry character. A dry rosé whose ballet-pump pink hue reflects its delicately elegant taste. ABV 12.5%. £22.
- 2025 Bacchus - Gently pressed and fermented at a cool temperature to preserve the delicate elderflower and gooseberry aromas, with minimum contact with oxygen to create a crisp, well-balanced wine. ABV 11.5%. £20.
- 2025 Chardonnay - A touch of creaminess from malolactic fermentation, with 40% barrel ageing increasing depth and body. ABV 12%. Released June 2025. £20.
Previous vintages
The Cobble Hill cellar also holds a treasure trove of previous-vintage library wines, often in limited quantities:
- 2023 Bacchus - Intense bouquet of elderflower and gooseberry. ABV 11.5%. £19.
- 2021 Bacchus Special Reserve - The typical flavours of Bacchus but with a creamier finish, aged in new acacia barrels for greater depth. ABV 11.5%. £16 (low stock).
- 2020 Chardonnay - Classic buttery, oaked flavours from time in French oak barrels, with white fruit shining through to balance the body. £16.
- 2022 Chardonnay - A very different wine to the 2020: sweet and fruity, an ideal pairing with a dessert or cheese plate. ABV 12%. £16 (low stock).
- 2023 Pinot Noir - Fermented in containers over a week to produce a fresh, Beaujolais-style red. Maceration with the skins incorporates flavour and tannin into the juice, increasing body and length. Red fruit paired nicely with a touch of black pepper. £16 (low stock).
- 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé - Off-dry, classic Pinot Noir red-fruit notes with a touch of sweetness. ABV 11.5%. £16 (low stock).
Gift vouchers
Two voucher formats are available - both redeemable online against the wine selection or the tasting tours:
- eGift Voucher - from £10. Buy online.
- Printed Gift Voucher - from £10. Buy online.
Vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable, but come with no expiry date so can be used at any date in the future. They can be redeemed online, or against tour bookings via email or telephone.
Delivery, returns and refunds
All prices are quoted in pounds sterling and include VAT. Standard delivery charges to GB mainland addresses (excluding Scottish Highlands) are:
- £6.95 for one bottle
- £5 per bottle for up to six bottles
- £4 per bottle for up to 12 bottles
- Free delivery on orders over £200
Customers have the right to cancel an order within 14 days of receiving the goods. Tour and lunch bookings are non-refundable, though they are transferable up to 7 days before the date of the visit. Within 7 days, bookings are non-transferable, although they can be reassigned to another person if the original booker is unable to attend.
Tours and tastings
Group Winery Tour - £45 per person
Visitors are welcome to join a tour of the vineyard and winery for an insight into the world of viticulture and winemaking. Tours and tastings start at midday, last approximately 120 minutes and cost £45 per person. Following a tour of the vineyard and winery, guests are guided through a tasting of up to five current releases, followed by a delicious lunch platter.
The tour includes:
- A tour of the local vineyard
- A tour of the winery
- Wine tastings
- Lunch platter
A minimum of six people is required for the tour to go ahead; if numbers fall below this on the chosen date, Cobble Hill will rearrange the date. Book a group winery tour online.
Private bookings and private event venues
For private tours, wine tastings, dinners and celebrations, Cobble Hill offers three beautiful venues, each with its own character and capacity:
The Tasting Shed - From £65 per person (May - September)
A beautiful cabin overlooking Cobble Hill's vines, with table setting for up to 12 people. The Tasting Shed.
The Winery Tasting Room - From £45 per person (All year)
A cosy barn room with a fireplace, seating up to 24 people. The Winery Tasting Room.
The Winery - From £55 per person (All year, excluding September & October)
Dine where the magic happens in the barn-conversion winery, alongside the barrels and stainless steel tanks, seating up to 30 people. The Winery.
Events at Cobble Hill
The Cobble Hill events calendar is busy year-round. The most recent months have included:
Supper Club - monthly with Carway-Roe Events
Once a month, Cobble Hill teams up with Carway-Roe Events to host an intimate dinner and tasting. Enjoy a full tour of the Cobble Hill wines, starting with a glass of bubbles and canapés in the winery, accompanied by a four-course dinner in the beautiful tasting room - all for £65. Sold out for the fourth time in a row, future supper clubs are scheduled for Thursday 27th August 2026 and Thursday 24th September 2026. Book by emailing info@carwayroeevents.co.uk. Supper Club.
An Italian Evening - Friday 24th July 2026
An Italian-themed evening of food, wine and company, hosted inside the winery in partnership with Carway Roe Events. Menu and a welcome drink £55, with more wine available to purchase on the night. Book by emailing info@carwayroeevents.co.uk. Limited spaces available. Italian Evening.
Cobble Hill X Gurneys - Wine & Oysters in Burnham Market
During Spring and Summer, Cobble Hill teams up with friends at Gurneys to bring wine and oysters to the good people of Burnham Market. The last Gurneys evening was Friday 10th July and went down a storm in the beautiful sunshine; further evenings are expected in the season ahead.
Holt Farmer's Market - 1st Sunday of the Month, April - December
On the 1st Sunday of each month Cobble Hill can be found at Holt Farmer's Market alongside almost 100 local artisan stalls. The team love meeting new people every time, for a chat, a taste or to take some wine home. Open 10am - 3pm. Holt Farmer's Market.
Aylsham Show 2026 - Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August 2026
Find the Cobble Hill team on Bank Holiday Monday at the Aylsham Show for a glass of wine and a chat. Aylsham Show 2026.
Other dates in the 2026 calendar
Other recent events have included Cobble Hill X English Distillery Piaggio Day, Cobble Hill X Aubin Opening Evening with DJ, the WineGB EAST Awards Ceremony, and Opera at Barn Drift, Cley. Full details are on the July 2026 events and August 2026 events.
Planning your visit
Cobble Hill Winery is based at High House Farm, Docking, Norfolk, PE31 8PD. The vineyard lies a short tractor ride inland from the unspoilt village of Burnham Market and overlooks the rugged North Norfolk coastline. Public tours can be booked online, while private events and venue hire are arranged directly with the team.
Contact details:
- Email: info@cobblehillnorfolk.com
- Telephone (office): 01485 517170
- Telephone (Robert): 07767 440195
- Address: Cobble Hill Winery, High House Farm, Docking, Norfolk, PE31 8PD
- Instagram: @cobblehillwine
About the business
Cobble Hill is a trading name of R W Perowne. VAT no. GB 105 0793 95. Wines are sold only to persons over the age of 18, and customers are asked to drink responsibly in line with Drinkaware guidance.