Pinglestone Estate Vineyard: Louis Pommery England's Hampshire Home
The chalk downland above the Georgian market town of Alresford in Hampshire is, on a still summer evening, one of the quietest and most beautiful corners of southern England. The River Arle runs clear and cold through banks of wild watercress, and on the hillside above it stands a 15th-century oak-framed barn lit by fairy lights. This is Pinglestone, a working farm, a wedding venue and, quietly and increasingly impressively, a vineyard that produces one of the most exciting English sparkling wines on the market today under the Louis Pommery England label.
A Working Vineyard First, A Venue Second
Although many people first encounter Pinglestone as a Hampshire wedding venue, the estate is fundamentally a farm, and vines have been part of its story for some years now. The vineyard is grown in partnership with Maison Pommery of Champagne, one of France's most historic houses, and the resulting English sparkling wine is bottled under the Louis Pommery England label. It has picked up multiple awards since its release, and wine writers have been quick to note the chalk-soil terroir that gives Pinglestone's fruit its particular character.
The connection with Pommery is more than commercial. It is a deliberate exchange of expertise: English chalk downland is geologically contiguous with the Côte des Blancs, and the climate, moderated by the south coast and the chalk aquifer beneath the vines, has proved well-suited to the classic Champagne grape varieties. For visitors, the appeal is that the wine served at the barn was grown and made on the very hillside surrounding it.
The Setting: Chalk Downland Above Alresford
Pinglestone sits a short walk above Old Alresford, one of Hampshire's most charming small towns. The high street has independent shops, riverside walks along the Arle, and a clutch of well-regarded restaurants, all within roughly ten minutes on foot from the farm gate. The town has long had a reputation for food, not least because of the watercress beds in the chalk streams that run down to the Itchen, and Pinglestone is a natural extension of that food culture.
For anyone travelling from further afield, the connections are excellent. London Waterloo is under an hour by train from the nearby station, and Winchester, Hampshire's cathedral city, is twelve minutes by car. Several local taxi firms serve the area, and there is ample on-site parking at the farm itself.
The Wines: Louis Pommery England
The single wine produced from the Pinglestone vineyard is Louis Pommery England, an English sparkling wine made in partnership with Maison Pommery. The label has been recognised as one of the most distinctive new releases in the English sparkling category, with critics drawing favourable comparisons to the chalk-soil Champagnes from across the Channel.
Pinglestone does not operate a public shop of its own, but the wine is available via the official Louis Pommery England channels and is, of course, served at weddings and events hosted at the barn. Couples booking the venue have the unusual pleasure of pouring a sparkling wine grown metres from where their guests are sitting.
The Barn: An Exclusive Wedding Venue
The barn at the heart of Pinglestone is what first draws most visitors to the estate. It is a 15th-century oak-framed building, complete with its original timbers, and it is hired on an exclusive-use basis, meaning that when a couple book, the entire farm, barn and grounds are theirs for the day.
What the Exclusive Hire Includes
- The barn, courtyard and surrounding grounds in their entirety
- A stage, bar, dancefloor and DJ setup inside the barn
- A fairy-lit outdoor courtyard for drinks receptions
- Barn Lodge cottage (three bedrooms, sleeping five) for two nights
- The Arle Hut shepherd's hut for the wedding night
- Ample on-site parking
- Catering facilities and toilets
- Set-up access from the Friday before the wedding
The barn accommodates up to 150 guests for a seated dinner and dancing. Live music is welcome; music finishes by 11pm. Fireworks are not permitted on site, in keeping with the working-farm context and the proximity of livestock and neighbouring properties.
Ceremonies and Suppliers
Pinglestone does not hold a civil ceremony licence, so couples who wish to legalise their marriage on site typically do so via a humanist or celebrant-led blessing, with the formal legal ceremony arranged separately at a registry office. The owners, David and Sarah, work with a trusted group of local florists, photographers and musicians, and their preferred supplier list is available on request.
The Hosts: David and Sarah
David and Sarah married at Pinglestone themselves in 2018, in the same barn they now run as a venue. They have two daughters growing up on the farm, and the sense of place, of family, of stewardship, comes through in everything they do. They are also the people behind every enquiry: the contact email and mobile number belong to them directly, not a centralised office.
Food: The Little Kitchen Company
Pinglestone's exclusive catering partner is The Little Kitchen Company (follow them on Instagram @thelittlekitchencompany), a Hampshire firm that specialises in weddings and event management. Their approach is rooted in seasonal local produce, much of it from within a few miles of the barn, and they work closely with each couple to shape the menu from the canapés to the final course. The kitchen team manages everything from the bar service to the clear-down, which takes a significant administrative load off the couple.
Accommodation on Site
For couples who want to stretch the celebration into a weekend, Pinglestone offers two on-site options, both rated five stars on Airbnb.
Barn Lodge
A three-bedroom cottage tucked at the end of the 15th-century barn. It sleeps five and is included for wedding couples for two nights, although it can also be booked directly. The accommodation is generous and considered:
- Master bedroom with a super-king Hypnos pocket-sprung bed and en-suite sink
- Bedroom two with a king-size bed and en-suite sink
- Bedroom three with a single bed, accessed via bedroom two
- An open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room
- Oven and gas hob, Nespresso machine, smart TV, WiFi and washing machine
- A welcome tray with locally sourced milk, tea and coffee
The cottage overlooks the watercress beds and has views across the chalk stream valley. It is available on Airbnb.
The Arle Hut
A brand-new, interior-designed shepherd's hut tucked beside a tributary of the River Arle. Included for the wedding couple on the wedding night, it is also available to book directly for other guests who want to extend their stay. It sleeps two and includes:
- A king-size bed
- A kitchenette with hob, toaster and fridge
- An en-suite shower room
- A two-person outdoor roll-top bath with hot water
- A firepit with logs and river views
- Optional trout fishing, available separately
- Dogs are welcome at £30 per stay (not on the bed)
- A welcome tray with locally sourced milk, tea and coffee
It is, quite simply, the most peaceful of locations, right on the water's edge. It is available on Airbnb.
For Larger Guest Lists
Pinglestone can also help arrange further accommodation in Alresford and the surrounding villages for larger wedding parties. The local bed-and-breakfasts, pubs-with-rooms and small hotels are well used to hosting wedding groups, and the team coordinates bookings on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can Pinglestone accommodate?
Up to 150 for a seated dinner and dancing.
Is Pinglestone available for exclusive hire?
Yes. When you book Pinglestone, the entire farm and barn are yours for the day.
Do you hold a civil ceremony licence?
No. Many couples choose a humanist or celebrant-led blessing here on site and arrange their legal ceremony separately at a registry office.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, with ample on-site parking for all guests.
Can we have fireworks or live music?
Live music is welcome, and the team is happy to advise on timings. Fireworks are not permitted on site. Music finishes by 11pm.
Do you have a list of recommended suppliers?
Yes, a trusted group of local florists, photographers and musicians. The full preferred supplier list is available on request.
Who manages the catering?
The exclusive catering partner is The Little Kitchen Company, specialists in wedding catering and event management.
Contact and Location
- Email: dw@pinglestone.com
- Telephone: 07880 883 014
- WhatsApp: message the team on WhatsApp
- Address: Pinglestone Farm, Old Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9TB
- What3words: ///impulse.descended.rehearsed
- Find them on Google Maps
- Follow the barn on Instagram @pinglestonebarn
The company behind the estate is Pinglestone Events Limited, registered in England and Wales, with its registered office at the farm itself.