Kingsthorne Wines: A Gloucestershire English Wine Estate at Flaxley & Longney
Introduction to Kingsthorne Wines
Nestled in the rolling landscape of Gloucestershire, on opposite sides of the majestic River Severn, Kingsthorne Wine Estates is one of England's most exciting new wine producers. With 29 acres of vineyard split across two stunning sites - Flaxley on the western bank and Longney on the eastern bank - the estate has planted 34,000 vines that, when fully established, will produce around 80 - 90 tonnes of fruit a year, equating to roughly 90,000 bottles of English wine annually.
Despite being early in their winemaking journey, Kingsthorne has already made its mark on the national stage. At their first wine competition - the Wine GB West 2024 - the estate's Chardonnay was awarded the prestigious Trophy for Still White Wine of the year, alongside a haul of silver and bronze medals. The combination of ancient soils, modern viticulture and the guiding hand of one of the UK's most experienced winemakers is producing wines that put this corner of the Forest of Dean firmly on the world wine map.
Location & How to Visit
Kingsthorne's vineyards and cellar door are based at Home Farm on the Flaxley Estate, near Newnham-on-Severn in the Forest of Dean. The official postal address is:
Kingsthorne Limited
Flaxley Estate
Flaxley, Newnham
Gloucestershire
GL14 1JR
You can reach the team by email at info@kingsthorne.co.uk or by phone on 01452 234071. Visits are currently by appointment only. The cellar door shop is generally open 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, with some exceptions and additional weekend opening for planned events.
For sat-nav users, the What Three Words reference for the cellar door is develop.bloom.velocity.
History & The People Behind Kingsthorne
Kingsthorne's story begins with Peter Cooke, a successful Gloucestershire business owner and passionate wine lover, who in 2019 took ownership of the historic Flaxley Estate. His vision was ambitious: to restore the estate's historic buildings, enhance its natural habitats, and craft world-class English wine in the most sustainable environment possible.
Few places could be better suited to such a vision. Flaxley has a documented history of wine-making stretching back 1,100 years, with the Cistercian Monks of nearby Flaxley Abbey once keeping bees for honey and mead on the very land that now supports the modern vineyard. In the intervening centuries the estate passed through many hands, with Home Farm more recently home to Flaxley's cattle herd before being reinvented as a working vineyard and winery estate.
Joining Peter at the helm is Simon Day, the winemaker and viticulturalist behind the wines. Simon is the most experienced wine maker in the UK, having crafted English wine for over 35 years. His combination of innovation and experimentation is gradually turning out limited-edition bottlings alongside the core range, and his experience with both cool-climate viticulture and traditional-method sparkling wine is exactly what a young estate like Kingsthorne needs in its formative years.
The Vineyards
Flaxley - The Main Site
The principal vineyard is located in the historic Castiard Valley on the west side of the River Severn, near Newnham-on-Severn. The site is sheltered by ancient wooded hillsides along the course of the Westbury Brook, while the south-facing slopes capture maximum sunshine and warmth throughout the growing season. Crucially, Flaxley sits in the rain shadow of the Welsh Hills and the Forest of Dean to the west, which delivers just the right amount of rainfall in most years.
Of the wider 140-acre Flaxley Estate, 22.5 acres were planted as vineyard in 2020. The soils are deep silty loams over red Raglan Silurian mudstone rock formations - fertile ground that is perfect for growing flavour-packed fruit.
Longney - The Riverside Site
Although only 4.5 miles from Flaxley as the crow flies, Longney feels like a different world. Located on the east side of the Severn on ancient tidal flats, this 6.5-acre vineyard (planted in 2019) enjoys lower rainfall and slightly warmer temperatures thanks to its very low altitude. The soils here are lime-rich clay loams over blue lias - a marine calcareous mudstone formed during the Triassic and Jurassic periods. The Longney site is also home to a heritage orchard of various local cider apple varieties.
Grape Varieties Grown
Across both sites Kingsthorne grows a thoughtful mix of classic Champagne varieties and cool-climate specialists chosen to thrive in the West Country's unpredictable seasons.
- Pinot Noir - The workhorse of the estate, used in white and rosé sparkling wines, rosé still wines and (in good years) red wines.
- Chardonnay - Primarily destined for sparkling whites, with a small parcel reserved for the still Chardonnay when ripeness allows.
- Pinot Meunier - The third classic Champagne variety, used in white and rosé sparkling wines to add weight and structure.
- Pinot Noir Early - An earlier-ripening clone that consistently performs well in cooler UK summers; used for the red Pinot Noir Early.
- Solaris - A very early-ripening German variety used for still wines; capable of producing late-harvest dessert wines in warm years.
- Seyval Blanc - A reliable, disease-resistant variety that shrugs off frost and cooler seasons; used in the sparkling wines to add lively, zesty character.
The Wine Range
Kingsthorne's portfolio of still and sparkling wines is available to buy directly from the estate through the online shop, with free UK mainland delivery on orders over £150.
Seyval Blanc - £27.00
The estate's very first vintage, harvested from their Upton Bishop vineyard. Seyval Blanc is one of England's hero varieties - never failing to crop even in tough years and resistant to disease. After nearly six years of lees ageing, this Traditional-Method sparkling is remarkably fresh and elegant, with notes of apple and hedgerow blossom on the nose and palate and a subtle yeasty finish. Brut in style, beautifully balanced between fruit and acidity, with a long finish. Pair with seafood, oysters, mussels, salads, goat's cheese or creamy risottos.
Sparkling Rosé - Brut - £31.00
Made from Pinot Noir Early and Seyval Blanc, with less skin contact at pressing than the Extra Dry to give a paler, more complex rosé. Traditional method with over three years of lees ageing delivers aromas of redcurrant and raspberry with just a hint of toast. The mouth-filling fizz accentuates the fresh crispness of this dry wine, leading to a mouth-watering, zest-like cleanness and long finish. Try with grilled salmon, roast chicken or herby salads and pasta dishes.
Sparkling Rosé - Extra Dry - £29.00
Pinot Noir Early and Seyval Blanc are fermented together to produce a richer-coloured rosé, hand-picked from the Upton Bishop vineyard. A little extended skin contact in the press gives more extracted colour and flavour to suit this extra-dry style. Expect a creamy textured fizz, summer fruits, a sherbet tang on the finish and balancing acidity. Pairs beautifully with summer fruits, rich pâtés or fruity desserts. ABV 12.1%.
Chardonnay - £25.00
The trophy-winning 2023 vintage, made from vines in the cosiest block of the Flaxley vineyard. Fermented in large oak foudre with lees stirring and further maturation in barrel, the wine combines delicate aromas of apple and lime flower with a touch of vanilla. The crisp citrus acidity yields a mouth-watering, zingy finish. A perfect match for white fish, creamy risottos and goat's cheese. ABV 11.4%.
Solaris (2024) - £19.00
Picked on 19 September 2024 from the Flaxley vineyard, the Solaris grapes were among the best of the vintage with a natural potential alcohol of 13.5%. Cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks produces a wine delivering honeysuckle, peach and pear aromas, with tropical fruits on the palate, a silky mouthfeel and balancing citrus acidity. Enjoy chilled with asparagus dishes, grilled fish or lightly spiced Asian cuisine.
Pinot Noir Early - £25.00
Harvested from the Upton Bishop vineyard, this red uses skin-contact fermentation for 10 days with regular pump-overs and over nine months in oak barriques. Expect aromas of cherry, oak and a hint of violet, followed by plentiful soft ripe tannins. Drinking well now, with the structure to evolve for another two to three years. Pair with duck, lamb, roast pork, mushroom dishes or nutty cheeses such as Manchego or Gruyère. ABV 12.4%.
Rosé - £20.00
A combination of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from the Longney and Flaxley vineyards. Delicate handling with short skin contact yields a deliciously pale rosé with a warm copper hue. Aromas of strawberry, peach and just a hint of passion fruit lead into a fruity, dry palate with balanced acidity and a long finish. Equally enjoyable in summer sun or in front of a winter fire. Try with grilled salmon, prawns, shellfish, avocado or feta salads, or fresh strawberries. ABV 11.0%.
Briery Orchard Cyder - £4.00
Not strictly wine but a proud part of the estate's heritage range. A traditional blend of typical Three Counties cider varieties - including Kingston Black, Dabinett and Herefordshire Russet among others - aged for 10 months in oak barrels (ex-Sherry, Port, Calvados and American Bourbon) before blending and filtering. Natural strength, with rich fruity notes, soft tannins, a hint of oak and a gentle carbonation. ABV 7.0%.
Gift Boxes & Direct Sales
Alongside the bottle range, Kingsthorne offers two gift box formats:
- Single Bottle Gift Box - £31.00
- 3 Bottle Gift Box - £74.00
UK mainland delivery is charged at £10.00 per order, or free for orders over £150. Additional charges apply for Northern Ireland, the Scottish Islands, the Isle of Man, the Isles of Scilly and the rest of the world. Orders are normally delivered within 2 - 3 working days, though this can extend to five working days during peak periods. Note that all wine orders must be signed for by a person over 18.
Cellar Door, Tastings & Tours
The estate's Cellar Door at Home Farm is a beautiful old building with an indoor capacity of 60, housing the shop, tasting room and event space. For information about tastings and wine experiences you can email info@kingsthorne.co.uk, or follow the estate on Facebook and Instagram for live updates on upcoming experiences.
The Future: Flaxley Estate Development
In March 2025, Kingsthorne received unanimous planning approval from local councillors for a major new development at the Flaxley Estate. The approved scheme will see the creation of:
- A state-of-the-art 250-tonne capacity winery, with stainless steel tanks, oak foudres, oak barriques and space for limited contract winemaking
- A fine-dining restaurant using estate-grown meat and produce from the kitchen gardens
- A farm shop stocked with estate and local produce
- A versatile events venue for weddings, corporate retreats, cultural events and private celebrations
- An estate office and visitors' centre
The project has been shaped in close consultation with conservation specialists and archaeologists since 2020, with sympathetic refurbishment of historic farm buildings using lime mortar, retained clay tiles, new oak joinery and timber windows based on traditional Georgian patterns. The estate anticipates the new facilities opening in 2026, with construction already underway.
Events at Kingsthorne
The estate is launching a new event space and bar from 7 August 2026. The opening night will feature Greek street food from Mr Gyros of Hereford - no tickets required - and from that date onwards the venue will open every Friday, 5 - 11pm. Follow the estate on social media for announcements of further events as they are confirmed.
Recent events have included English Wine Week celebrations at Home Farm (with award-winning fish and chips from Simpsons, a midsummer twilight vineyard tour and a generous glass of Kingsthorne wine or cyder for £20 per person), and the team regularly hosts community activities such as village litter picks.
Sustainability & Wildlife
Sustainability is at the heart of everything Kingsthorne does. The team works with the Environment Agency, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, FWAG, Forest Guardians, the local Parish Council and ADAS to enhance biodiversity across the estate. Highlights include:
- Twenty-five acres of wildflower species planted in 2021 under the guidance of ecologist Liz Powell of Ecohab, including Yellow Rattle, Meadow Vetchling, Green-winged Orchid, Ox-Eye Daisy, Ragged Robin and Ladies' Bedstraw.
- An eight-metre easement fenced along the Westbury Brook to prevent livestock entering the watercourse, alongside twelve leaky dam structures that have created new slow-moving pools and aquatic habitats.
- A woodland management plan developed with Forestry England, providing fuel for a biomass boiler while regenerating neglected woodland.
- A growing apiary of non-medicated bees, with hive honey destined for the estate shop and mead production.
- A preliminary Ecological Appraisal and Biodiversity Net Gain assessment by Wild Service Consultancy, predicting a 78.76% net increase in biodiversity across habitats and a 49.39% increase for hedgerows in particular.
Consultancy Services
Alongside making their own wines, the Kingsthorne team - led by Simon Day - offers a wide-ranging consultancy service to other vineyard and cidery owners. Areas of expertise include vineyard site evaluation and design, soil and petiole analysis, canopy management, winery design and equipment specification, winemaking instruction and troubleshooting, cider production, EHO/HACCP compliance, product development and feasibility studies for planning and grant applications.
Where Else to Buy Kingsthorne Wines
If you cannot make it to the cellar door, Kingsthorne is stocked across a wide range of independent retailers across the West Midlands, the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and beyond. Stockists include Blue Zucchini in Abingdon, Dunkertons Farm Shop in Cheltenham, Forest Brewery in Lydney, Forest Deli in Coleford, Hop Pocket in Bishops Frome, Sorrel and Sage in Ledbury, Truffles Delicatessen in Ross-on-Wye, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel in Clearwell and Ye Olde Steppes in Pembridge, amongst many others. Independent retailers interested in stocking Kingsthorne can email info@kingsthorne.co.uk.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you are planning a tasting at the cellar door, looking for English sparkling wine to ship across the UK, or following the Flaxley Estate development as it takes shape, Kingsthorne is one of the most exciting new names in English wine. Keep up to date with the latest vintages, awards and event announcements by signing up to the mailing list at kingsthorne.co.uk or following @kingsthornewine on Instagram.
You must be aged 18 or over to purchase alcohol from Kingsthorne. Please drink responsibly - visit drinkaware.co.uk for more information.