English Oak Vineyard: Award-Winning Dorset Sparkling Wine and Europe's Most Beautiful Wedding Vineyard
Tucked into the rolling Purbeck countryside just ten minutes from Poole, English Oak Vineyard is one of England's quiet success stories. A boutique, family-run estate planted by Andrew and Sarah in 2007, it has grown from 23,000 newly-planted vines into a multi-award-winning producer of traditional-method English sparkling wine - and a destination recently ranked the 6th most beautiful vineyard in Europe and number one for vineyard weddings.
A Family Vineyard in the Heart of Dorset
English Oak is the combined vision of Andrew and Sarah, who planted their first vines on a perfect Dorset site after studying viticulture at Plumpton College in Sussex. Sarah brought horticultural expertise and a green-fingered love of growing; Andrew added a background in catering, marketing and business development. In the formative years, the couple worked closely with the highly respected winemaker Dermot Sugrue, and today the cellar is in the hands of Marcus and Megan Rayner.
The result is a small, dedicated team united by a clear philosophy: traditional planting and winemaking, crafted with skill and loving care, to yield sparkling wines of exceptional character and quality. The winemaking approach is deliberately non-interventionist, allowing each wine to express the clarity and fruit-led essence that defines the English Oak brand.
Location, Terroir and the 350-Year-Old Oak
The vineyard sits in the Purbeck region of Dorset, an area blessed with fertile soil, a south-coast climate of mild winters, regular rainfall, warm summer days and gentle autumns. Its distinctive bowl shape creates a comfortable microclimate that ripens the classic Champagne varieties with confidence.
At the heart of the estate stands a spectacular 350-year-old English Oak - the king of the green realm and England's national tree. The tree gives the vineyard its name and symbolises the couple's seven-generation philosophy: respect for the environment, respect for tradition, and a commitment to building something that lasts.
Twenty-three thousand vines were planted in total, including fourteen different Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay clones and rootstocks, carefully chosen to emulate the diverse, complex blends that characterise the finest sparkling wines. Organic feeds, natural well water and state-of-the-art equipment all contribute to quality from the very start.
Award-Winning Sustainability
English Oak is recognised as much for its environmental credentials as for its wines. In 2019 it was named Dorset Environmental Business of the Year. Practical sustainability underpins everything on the estate:
- Solar panels generate the energy used on site
- All vehicles are 100% electric and solar recharged
- Free electric vehicle charging is offered to visitors
- Water is drawn from an on-site well
- Recycle-spraying equipment avoids randomly dispersing spray into the environment
- Organic feeds support responsible vineyard management
- Foil capsules have been removed from the wines because the bottle dressing is not produced or recycled responsibly
Wildlife is welcomed, not fenced out. Deer, pheasants, badgers and rabbits wander freely through the rows; barbed wire and electric fences inherited from the previous farm have been removed. Beehives dotted across the site monitor the environment and produce delicious local honey. The team also works with students from Kingston Maurward and Bournemouth and Poole College, teaching vineyard husbandry and wine appreciation throughout the year.
The English Oak Sparkling Wine Range
English Oak wines benefit from a passionate commitment to minimal winery intervention at every stage of production. Low-volume, high-quality craftsmanship produces vintage wines that are free to express their own natural style. In the winery, the team mirrors the traditional methode champenoise process closely - careful hand picking, gentle pressing, slow fermentation, secondary fermentation in bottle, ageing on lees, riddling and disgorgement.
The result is a small, focused family of wines, all of which have collected Silver Medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Engelmann Cuvee - £35
The signature citrus cuvee. Zingy and fresh with bright citrus notes, Engelmann is the most accessible English Oak style and a popular choice for toasts and receptions. Available as a single bottle or in a case of six at £168.
Chinkapin Rose - £35
A blushing red-berry rose with a marmalade finish. Like the Engelmann, it is available as a single bottle or in a case of six at £168.
Wainscot Blanc de Noirs - £50
A honey-nosed blanc de noirs with a smooth peaches-and-cream palate. The case of six is priced at £240.
San Gabriel Blanc de Blancs Reserve 2019 - £75
Beautifully elegant with lemon sherbet character and a hint of brioche. The case of six is priced at £360.
Quercus Blanc de Blancs, aged in Oak - £75
The flagship oak-aged blanc de blancs. Unique complexity that only extended ageing in seasoned oak barrels can bring. Case of six: £360.
Royal Blanc de Noirs, aged in Oak - £120
A limited-production, oak-aged blanc de noirs - the pinnacle of the range. Case of six: £576.
Mixed Cases and Gift Sets
- Menage a Trois - a wicked combination of three wines, £130
- Have a Foursome - the perfect party selection, £175
- English Oak Collection - the complete set with 20% discount, £312
All wines can be ordered directly from the English Oak online store. UK mainland delivery is £8.55 (free on a case of six or more), with a 2 - 3 day service. The team also supplies a select network of prestige hotels and restaurants within a 50-mile radius.
Vineyard Tours and Wine Tastings
English Oak is often described as Dorset's best-kept secret - no need to cross the Channel to Épernay, wine lovers can experience top-quality sparkling wine production just ten minutes from Poole. Tours are relaxed, informative and hosted by Andrew and Sarah themselves.
Public Vineyard Tour and Tasting - £25 per person
The flagship two-hour experience runs on Fridays and Saturdays between June and October. Guests park beside the enchanting koi pond at the vineyard entrance, then are welcomed in the oak amphitheatre beside the Purbeck stone waterfalls, where Andrew and Sarah share the vineyard's start-up story.
The walk winds through the seemingly endless rows of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay vines, with stops to admire the spectacular oak-carved 'Father Time' sculpture and learn how the vineyard is managed across the seasons. Back in the visitor centre, guests discover the various stages of the methode champenoise process before sitting down to taste four international Decanter World Wine Award winning English Oak sparkling wines.
Public tours operate on Fridays and Saturdays between June and October. Bookings are taken by phone on 01258 858205.
Private Group Vineyard Tour and Tasting - £35 per person
Private tours are available for groups of ten or more throughout the year, including Sundays and evenings by arrangement. They are an unusual and memorable option for birthday parties, clubs, societies, hen and stag dos, or corporate hospitality with a difference. The walk is not strenuous and mostly on flat ground, and facilities for disabled visitors are provided on site. Comfortable outdoor shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended - umbrellas are provided if needed.
Wine Tasting Only - £50 per person (November to May)
A one-hour wine tasting is available on Saturdays from November to May, including a voucher for a bottle of Engelmann Cuvee or Chinkapin Rose for each participant. The tasting can be paired with a delicious pre-tour picnic beneath the English Oak tree.
Gift Vouchers
Vouchers make an excellent gift and are available as:
- Public Tour Voucher - £25 per person
- Private Tour Voucher - £35 per person
- Wine Tasting Voucher - £50 per person
- Wine Voucher - £35, redeemable for a bottle of Engelmann Cuvee or Chinkapin Rose after a tour
Weddings at English Oak
Voted Europe's most beautiful vineyard wedding destination, English Oak offers a truly magical setting combining your special day with the romance of an English vineyard, award-winning sparkling wine, and a choice of stunning reception spaces.
Every wedding at English Oak is different. A very limited number of dates are offered each year to maintain exclusivity, and every package is tailored to reflect precisely what matters to the couple. Sarah and Andrew personally welcome guests and are on hand throughout the weekend.
The Wedding Journey
Set in scenic Dorset countryside yet only ten minutes from Poole, the 23-acre estate accommodates:
- Stunning vineyard location for ceremonies, receptions and photographs
- Easy access to a wide range of nearby accommodation (and on-site glamping)
- Exclusive use of the vineyard on the wedding day
- Services of an experienced wedding manager throughout
- Beautiful all-weather traditional Oak Barn - capacity 80
- High-specification marquee options - capacity 200 or more
- Flexible catering options
- International award-winning sparkling wine from the surrounding vines
- Dog-friendly throughout
Civil ceremonies can be held outdoors beneath the 350-year-old English Oak tree in the heart of the vineyard, or indoors in the traditional Oak Barn beneath its iconic A-frame beams and beside its courtyard waterfall. Pink sunsets over the vines, fairy lights in the canopy, and the sound of the Champagne-bubble-themed lighting suspended inside the barn create a spellbinding atmosphere.
Barn Weddings - from £18,000
The Oak Barn is ideal for weddings of up to 80 guests (more in the evening). Two packages are offered:
- Barn Ceremony & Reception Package - from £18,000, including outdoor or indoor ceremony, three-course wedding breakfast or afternoon tea, evening pizza buffet, post-ceremony drinks and a glass of English Oak sparkling for the toast, bar management and full wedding coordination
- Barn Reception Only Package - from £18,000, for couples marrying elsewhere but celebrating at the vineyard
Both packages include access the day before for setting up, access the day after for collection of personal items, the festoon-lit courtyard capri tent, oak cross-back chairs, choice of dining tables, sound system, and ample on-site parking.
Marquee Weddings - from £30,000
For larger celebrations of up to 200 guests (more in the evening), a high-specification sailcloth marquee is set in the heart of the vineyard, framed by the canopy of the iconic oak tree and 23,000 vines.
- Marquee Ceremony & Reception Package - from £30,000
- Marquee Reception Only Package - from £30,000
Both include luxury toilet trailer hire, generator and fuel, oak-effect dancefloor and festoon lighting, choice of guest tables, four canapes per person, three-course plated wedding breakfast or afternoon tea, evening pizza buffet, post-ceremony drinks, two glasses of still table wine per person and a glass of English Oak sparkling for the toast. Couples may also choose a Nordic Pine Tipi or Chill Out Tipi option for more relaxed layouts.
Wedding Open Weekends
Twice a year, English Oak opens its gates to couples planning a wedding. The 2026 Spring Open Weekend took place on 18 - 19 April (10am - 3pm), with an extensive line-up of trusted wedding suppliers showcasing their services in collaboration with Coastal Tents. A similar Autumn Open Weekend runs in early October. Both events are free to attend and a great way to sample the wines and meet the team. Enquiries can be sent to weddings@englishoakvineyard.co.uk or by calling 01202 533014.
Corporate Events and Private Celebrations
Beyond weddings, the Oak Barn and vineyard host corporate hospitality, corporate meetings and private parties and celebrations.
- Corporate hospitality: an unusual venue just ten minutes from Poole that maximises attendance and leaves clients relaxed and impressed - optionally paired with a vineyard tour and tasting
- Corporate meetings: a refreshing alternative to the office. A boardroom-style space for up to 12 delegates equipped with up-to-date presentation tools, with optional leadership, management, planning and sales workshops and a closing vineyard tour
- Private parties: birthdays, hen dos, office parties, club and society outings - a 'somewhere new to get together' venue with award-winning sparkling wine on tap
The visitor centre is ideal for meetings (capacity 30), the Oak Barn hosts up to 80, and marquee options extend capacity further. Ample parking is provided for cars and coaches. Enquiries by phone on 01258 858205 or email to info@englishoakvineyard.co.uk.
Visiting English Oak Vineyard
English Oak is easy to reach, with brown tourist signs guiding visitors from the surrounding area. There is ample parking and multiple electric-vehicle charging points on site - all solar powered.
Address
English Oak Vineyard
Flowers Drove
Lytchett Matravers
Nr Poole, Dorset
BH16 6BX
How to Find the Vineyard
Detailed directions for visitors approaching from Poole, Dorchester (the West), Blandford (the North) and Southampton/the M27 (the East) are available by calling 01258 858205 or emailing info@englishoakvineyard.co.uk. The vineyard is well signposted off the A350.
Booking and Enquiries
- Tel: 01258 858205
- Email: info@englishoakvineyard.co.uk
- Weddings: weddings@englishoakvineyard.co.uk or 01202 533014
- Sales: sales@englishoakvineyard.co.uk
Awards and Recognition
English Oak has collected a remarkable string of accolades across wine quality, sustainability, hospitality and tourism:
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 - Silver Medals for Engelmann, Chinkapin, San Gabriel and Wainscot
- TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2025
- Independent English Wine Awards 2020
- Dorset Environmental Business of the Year 2019
- Dorset Tourism Awards 2020 - Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year (final three)
- South West England Prestige Awards Winner 2021
- UKVA Awards 2012 - runner-up for the Engelmann bottle
- DFDS European Beauty Study 2024 - ranked the 6th most beautiful vineyard in Europe and number one vineyard wedding destination, scoring 91.2 out of 100
A Year in the Vineyard
The vineyard year follows a familiar seasonal rhythm, each season bringing its own tasks. Highlights include:
- Winter Pruning - careful cane selection in January and February
- Tying Down - securing the canes to the wires
- Bud Burst - spring growth, soil analysis and 23,000 vines of bud rubbing
- Flowering - pollination in June determines the size of the harvest
- Canopy Management - shoot thinning, leaf trimming and fruit-zone management
- Veraison - the August colour change as berries turn from growth to ripening
- Harvesting - hand picking from late September to early October
- Pressing - using a traditional Coquard vertical press identical to those around Épernay and Reims
- Fermentation - temperature-controlled alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel
- Tirage - second fermentation in bottle to capture the sparkle
- Ageing - at least nine months on lees in a cool cellar
- Riddling - turning bottles to settle the lees in the neck
- Disgorging - frozen-plug removal of lees and dosage adjustment before final corking
Why English Oak is Worth a Visit
There is something quietly special about English Oak. It is small enough to feel intimate - Andrew and Sarah personally host tours, weddings and tastings - yet ambitious enough to have earned Silver Medals at Decanter, a place in the top ten most beautiful vineyards in Europe, and a reputation as the country's most sought-after vineyard wedding destination.
The wines are made in the classic Champagne tradition: hand-picked grapes, gentle pressing, long ageing on lees and minimal intervention. The setting - a 350-year-old oak tree, 23,000 vines, a beautifully restored barn, an oak amphitheatre and a koi pond - is genuinely picturesque. And the philosophy - seven generations of thinking, a minimal carbon footprint, electric vehicles and solar-powered buildings - gives every bottle a story to tell.
Pop a cork, pour a glass, and taste the Dorset sunshine.