Rowles Vineyard - A Third-Generation Family Farm and Boutique English Winery in the Berkshire Downs
An English Winemaker Built on Three Generations of Family Farming
Set in the rolling hills above the village of West Ilsley, just south of the Ridgeway National Trail and within an hour of London, Rowles Vineyard is one of the most exciting boutique English wine producers to have emerged in recent years. Run by the Carlisle family, who have worked the same Berkshire Downs land since 1969, the vineyard is the latest chapter in a farming story that now spans three generations. Today, three siblings - Georgie, Will and Tom - are carrying that legacy into a new era of English winemaking, with six and a half hectares of chalk-rich hillside planted with Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir and Bacchus.
What makes Rowles distinctive is not just the quality of its wines - a still Bacchus, a still Pinot Noir Rosé and two sparkling releases, Bury Lane and Norman's Ridge - but the depth of place and family that sits behind every bottle. The chalk soil of Bury Field is remarkably similar in structure to the Champagne region in France; the cool, frost-prone hillside demands careful varietal selection; and a regenerative approach to farming, combined with more than six years of planning, has produced a vineyard that already feels mature beyond its years.
The 2025 vintage was a landmark: 78 tonnes of fruit from the young vines - the family's biggest harvest yet - and the second release of the still Bacchus alongside three new wines, including the eagerly awaited Bury Lane Seyval Blanc Sparkling and Norman's Ridge Pinot Noir Sparkling Rosé.
Where to Find Rowles Vineyard
- Address: Rowles Farm Partnership, Main Street, West Ilsley, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7AR
- Telephone: 07769 811661
- Email: office@rowlesfarm.co.uk
- Website: rowlesvineyard.co.uk
- Instagram: @rowles_farm
- Facebook: Rowles Farm on Facebook
The Story of Rowles: From 1969 to a Boutique Vineyard
Rowles Farm has never stood still. The story begins in 1969, when Norman Carlisle arrived on the Berkshire Downs and took on a three-generation tenancy from the Lockinge Estate. A man of vision and quiet determination, Norman built the farm from the ground up, planting the iconic kissing trees atop the hill that still mark the entrance to the farmland today - and which went on to inspire the vineyard's logo.
His son Peter studied Agriculture at Reading University, returned to work alongside his father and eventually met Sandra at a Young Farmers' Party. Together they raised three children - Will, Tom and Georgie - on the farm, laying the foundations for the third generation. In 2015, after two generations of farming it as tenants, Peter and Sandra purchased Rowles as sitting tenants, turning what had always been home into something permanently theirs.
The Honest Truth About Why the Vineyard Exists
The vineyard idea was born from two things: opportunity and necessity. Britain's climate has been warming steadily, and the chalk-rich, well-draining soil on the Berkshire Downs has a remarkably similar structure to the Champagne region in France. As Will puts it: "The French climate is getting a lot warmer and where we currently are, soil wise, we're exactly the same soil type as the Champagne region."
But climate alone wasn't enough. Rising feed, fuel and fertiliser costs, combined with tightening margins in arable farming, made diversification essential if the farm was going to support three siblings who all wanted to build their lives and families here. As Georgie says: "We knew we had to diversify if the farm was going to feed us all."
Six Years in the Making
The Carlisles do not do things by halves. Before a single vine went into the ground, the family spent six years planning, researching and consulting experts, installing weather stations across the farm in four different locations to find exactly the right site. Their patience paid off. They discovered that temperature alone can vary by nearly six degrees between the bottom and top of a single field - knowledge that now directly informs how they farm the vineyard. Seyval Blanc, the most frost-hardy variety, grows at the cooler lower end; Pinot Noir and Bacchus thrive higher up.
The seed of the idea had been quietly brewing for years. Georgie had spent eight years working in luxury travel across London and Singapore, hopping between the great wine regions of Europe - and that hillside in Italy, glass in hand, was where the vineyard first took root as a dream worth chasing. Covid brought her back to the farm in 2020; the time finally felt right.
The vines went into the ground around 2021, and the vineyard now covers 6.5 hectares - the equivalent of ten football pitches - planted with 30,000 vines across the three varieties. When it reaches full maturity, the family aims to produce around 100 tonnes of grapes a year, equating to approximately 100,000 bottles of wine.
The Carlisle Family and Their Philosophy
What makes the Rowles story special isn't just the vineyard - it's the fact that three siblings chose to build something together, combining Tom's hands-on farming experience honed in New Zealand, Will's sharp agricultural instincts and Georgie's vision for what a modern farm business can be.
As Tom says: "I think we all think we're good - a really good team. Everyone does a little bit of everything. That's our motto - and it works."
Peter, watching it all from the sidelines with well-earned pride, sums it up best: "Our daughter and the twins have great partners by their side. That's worth a lot. I hope they all enjoy their life on the farm. The most important thing is that everyone is enjoying themselves and having a good time. Norman planted trees on this hillside over fifty years ago. His grandchildren have planted vines. We can't wait to see what the generation after them plants next."
Values That Shape Everything
Every farm runs on more than just soil and seasons - it runs on values. The Carlisles' have been shaped over three generations of hard graft, honest mistakes and plenty of laughs along the way. Four principles guide the business from the way they tend the land to the way they welcome visitors through their gates.
- Hard Work - Rolling up sleeves and giving it their all, from early-morning starts to meticulous crop attention. Especially when there's a beer and burger from Sandra waiting at the finish line.
- Bravery - Woven into the fabric of the farm. The willingness to take bold steps and push boundaries is what drives their progress as a third-generation farming family.
- Work Hard, Play Hard - A little cliché but one the family genuinely lives by. The job is done to the best of their ability and the process is enjoyed in equal measure.
- Future First - Conscious decisions guided by a vision for the future. Practices support the long-term health of the land and community by embracing new technologies and regenerative farming.
Inside the Vineyard: A Year on the Berkshire Downs
Growing grapes in England is not for the faint-hearted. The weather has opinions, the vines have demands, and the seasons set the pace no matter what else is going on. But that's what makes it so rewarding. Here is a glimpse into the year in the vineyard at Rowles - twelve months of graft, care and anticipation that eventually finds its way into your glass.
Grape Varieties
Three grape varieties are planted across the 6.5-hectare site, chosen specifically for their suitability to the conditions on Bury Field:
- Seyval Blanc - A reliable performer in cooler English vintages and the most frost-hardy of the three. Grown at the cooler lower end of the slope.
- Bacchus - The variety that is fast becoming synonymous with English still wine. Early-ripening and perfectly suited to the site, delivering lifted floral aromatics and crunchy acidity.
- Pinot Noir - German clones, loose-bunched and thick-skinned for disease resilience. Used for both the still rosé and the Norman's Ridge sparkling release.
Building the Vineyard
Before planting, weather stations were set up in four locations across the farm for a full year to establish which would be the best site. Bury Field had the most potential, although with limitations including frost risk - which is why choosing the right grape varieties was so important. Every year the family tries to reduce inputs into the vineyard and take steps towards organic viticulture as the vines become more established. The long-term plan, once the vines are strong enough, is to use the farm's sheep as natural lawn-mowers and the cattle manure as fertiliser.
A Year in the Vineyard
January - Dormancy & Winter Pruning
Vines are fully dormant. Workers begin pruning last year's growth to control yield and shape the vines. Equipment maintenance, soil testing and fertilisation plans get underway.
February - Pruning Continues
Pruning continues across the vineyard. Cuttings are removed or mulched. Trellis wires are repaired and posts checked. Nurseries prepare new vines for planting.
March - Final Pruning & Bud Preparation
The last of the winter pruning is finished. Vineyards prepare for budburst, which usually happens in April. Frost protection equipment - candles, wind machines - is prepared because spring frost risk begins.
April - Budburst
Tiny green shoots emerge from buds. Major concern: late frosts that can kill new shoots. Vineyard teams monitor weather closely and early disease prevention sprays may begin.
May - Rapid Shoot Growth
Shoots grow quickly. Shoot thinning removes excess shoots to control canopy density; shoots are tied to trellis wires to guide growth. Pest and disease pressure, particularly mildew, is monitored.
June - Flowering
Vines flower, which determines the potential crop size. Flowering is very weather-dependent. Vineyard teams manage the canopy to allow sunlight and airflow. Early fruit clusters begin forming.
July - Fruit Set & Canopy Management
Fruit set occurs as flowers become small grapes. Heavy canopy management - leaf removal, shoot positioning - continues. Disease control remains critical. Crop estimation begins.
August - Veraison
Grapes begin veraison: white grapes turn translucent, red grapes turn purple. Sugar levels start increasing. Some green harvesting may occur (removing excess bunches). Bird protection nets are installed.
September - Ripening Monitoring
Grapes approach maturity. Vineyard teams measure sugar levels (Brix), acidity and flavour development. Harvest planning begins. Equipment and picking crews are organised.
October - Harvest
Main harvest period in England. Grapes are often hand-picked. Harvest timing is crucial for acidity, especially for sparkling wines. Grapes are quickly transported to the winery for pressing.
November - Post-Harvest Care
Vines begin leaf fall and return to dormancy. Soil improvement and compost application. Cover crops may be planted between rows. Winery fermentation continues for harvested grapes.
December - Dormancy & Planning
Vines are dormant again. The vineyard team reviews the year's results and begins planning for the next vintage.
The Wines of Rowles
The Rowles collection is small, considered and built around three grape varieties grown on chalk soil. Each wine is a tribute to the land the family calls home, made from 100% hand-harvested fruit and crafted with the same care that goes into every other decision on the farm.
Still Wines
The still wines are bright, expressive and produced in stainless steel to retain primary fruit character and freshness. Both are vegan, with sulphites only.
- Bacchus | White Wine | Berkshire, England - £19.00. Lifted floral aromatics with notes of ripe green apple, elderflower and fresh asparagus. An approachable style with a mouthwatering finish. Made from hand-harvested fruit gently pressed to preserve delicate aromatics; fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel. 12% ABV. View the Bacchus.
- Pinot Noir | Rosé | Berkshire, England - £19.00. Bright aromatics of ripe strawberry and red cherry, with hints of redcurrant and blossom. Refreshing and crunchy on the palate, with a pale salmon colour drawn from a few hours on the skins before gentle pressing. Fermented in stainless steel with occasional lees stirring. 11.5% ABV. View the Pinot Noir Rosé.
Sparkling Wines (Pre-Order)
Both sparkling releases are whole-bunch pressed, fermented in stainless steel and spend 15 months on the lees before disgorgement, bringing texture, complexity and the savoury depth that English sparkling does at its best.
- Bury Lane | Sparkling Seyval Blanc - £37.00 (single bottle). Named for the lane that runs through the heart of the farm. Bright aromas of crisp green apple, juicy white pear and zesty citrus, lifted by delicate blossom and a subtle hint of almond. Mineral backbone speaks directly to the chalk soil. Pre-order Bury Lane.
- Norman's Ridge | Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé - £39.00 (single bottle). Named in honour of Norman Carlisle, the man who started it all. Delicate floral aromas alongside ripe raspberry, wild strawberry and a whisper of cream, lifted by a fine line of pastry richness. February 2027 release. Pre-order Norman's Ridge.
Wine Cases
Cases of six offer the best way to stock up on Rowles favourites, or to discover the full collection in one go.
- Case of 6 - Bacchus - £114.00.
- Case of 6 - Pinot Noir Rosé - £114.00.
- Case of 6 - Bury Lane Sparkling Seyval Blanc (pre-order) - £222.00.
- Case of 6 - Norman's Ridge Pinot Noir Rosé (pre-order) - £234.00.
Full cases can be ordered through the Wine Cases collection.
Tours, Tastings and Vineyard Experiences
Step into the heart of Rowles Vineyard with the family's growing programme of tours and tastings. Set in Berkshire's rolling countryside, every experience is hosted by the family and offers an authentic connection to the land.
Rowles Private Tour & Tasting - £85.00
Experience Rowles Vineyard at your own pace with a private tour and tasting set in the tranquil Berkshire countryside. Enjoy a guided walk through the family-run vineyard, learning about three generations of British farming heritage and the sustainable approach to winemaking. The visit concludes with an intimate tasting of still and sparkling wines, hosted by one of the family in the vineyard barn or among the vines. Approximately 90 minutes, ideally suited to large groups (20+), available seasonally from April to October - advance booking essential. Book the Private Tour & Tasting.
Rowles Vineyard Tour - £65.00 (Coming Soon)
An immersive guided tour through the family-run estate. Learn about three generations of British farming heritage and the sustainable approach to growing and winemaking as you explore the vines up close. The visit concludes with a relaxed tasting of still and sparkling wines, enjoyed among the vines or in the vineyard barn. Approximately 90 minutes, suitable for small groups, available seasonally from April to October. Register interest in the Vineyard Tour.
Rowles Wine Tasting - £45.00 (Coming Soon)
A guided tasting at Rowles Vineyard, set in the peaceful Berkshire countryside. Relax and sample a curated flight of still and sparkling wines, each crafted from grapes grown on the family estate. Approximately 60 minutes, available year-round by appointment. Register interest in the Wine Tasting.
Private Dining Experience - Enquire
Dine amongst the vines for a special occasion. The family works with fantastic chefs who specialise in alfresco dining, complemented by refreshing local beers and Rowles wines. Enquiries can be made by telephone on 07769 811661 or by email at office@rowlesfarm.co.uk for the Private Dining Experience.
Upcoming Events at Rowles Vineyard
From lively harvest festivals and sunset soirées to intimate seasonal tastings in the Berkshire countryside, Rowles hosts a varied calendar of ticketed events distinct from the guided tours.
Rowles Dine in the Vines | Supper Club - 22 May 2026, £100.00
Experience an unforgettable evening among the vines. Begin with canapés before a freshly prepared three-course meal - starter, main, and pudding - all cooked in front of you for a touch of theatre and flavour. Relax to live music from the resident guitarist and singer while sipping two glasses of Rowles wine, included with the ticket. A bar is open throughout for additional drinks. Dress code: smart casual (a light layer is recommended once the sun sets); sensible footwear is advised as the vineyard ground is uneven. Book the Supper Club.
Rowles Rosé Launch Party - 23 May 2026
A relaxed, family-friendly afternoon among the vines to celebrate the arrival of the new vintage. Enjoy freshly made stone-baked pizzas, local ice cream and face painting for children. Throughout the afternoon the team leads short vineyard tours and talks, sharing insight into how the wines are grown and produced.
- Adult Ticket - £35.00 (includes a complimentary glass of the new Rosé). Book Adult Ticket.
- Child Ticket - £15.00. Book Child Ticket.
Local Wine Showcase Tasting | Hungerford - 13 June 2026 (Free Entry)
Organised by The Naked Grape, this Local Wine Showcase Tasting is a fantastic opportunity to discover handmade products from producers just down the road. Rowles Farm Vineyard's Bacchus and Pinot Noir Rosé will be among the stars of the show, alongside local wines, fizz, real ales and spirits. Free entry; further information from The Naked Grape directly. View event details.
English Wine Week Festival | Henley-on-Thames - 20 June 2026 (Free Entry)
A one-day riverside celebration dedicated entirely to English wine, set along the Thames next to Thameside Social - right by the finish line of the Henley Women's Regatta. A curated selection of English wines will be on pour from local vineyards and standout producers from further afield, alongside stalls showcasing vineyard tours and tastings. Free entry; tasting tokens can be purchased in advance from Pavilion Foods in Market Place, Henley, or on the day from Thameside Social. View event details.
Gifts and Merchandise
For the wine lover who has everything - or the one who just deserves something a little special. The Rowles Gifts collection brings together the best of the vineyard in one place, from bottles of hand-crafted English wine to vineyard tours, tastings and event tickets that make for a truly memorable experience.
- Rowles Gift Card - From £25.00 (also available in £50, £100, £150 and £200 denominations). Redeemable across the full collection of English wines, experiences and vineyard gifts - online or in person. Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Buy a Gift Card.
- Rowles Vintage Wash Baseball Cap - £19.50. Lightweight cotton with a relaxed, worn-in feel, adjustable brass slip buckle, four colourways: Navy & Green, Navy & Pink, Green & Bronze, Pink & Bronze. Shop the Cap.
- Rowles Beanie - £18.50. Classic knit beanie for cold mornings on the Berkshire Downs. Available in Navy & Pink and Navy & Green. Shop the Beanie.
Wine Club and Trade Programme
Rowles Wine Club - Coming Soon
An exclusive wine club is on the way. Members will get updates on new releases, vineyard stories and special member benefits. The newsletter keeps subscribers first in line when it launches.
Growing Together - The Trade Programme
Rowles works with a growing list of local pubs and restaurants, including The Harrow Pub in West Ilsley and The George at Upton. Trade pricing is available, and downloadable tech sheets are provided for the full range - Norman's Ridge Pinot Noir Rosé, Bury Lane Seyval Blanc, still Pinot Noir Rosé and still Bacchus - alongside press assets. Hospitality buyers can explore the trade programme and arrange a visit to walk the vineyard, meet the team and taste the wines.
Visit Rowles Farm
Rowles is located in the heart of West Ilsley, surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful countryside. Visitors are welcome by appointment for tours, tastings and trade visits. Get directions to Rowles Farm Partnership, Main Street, West Ilsley, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7AR.
For wine purchases, gifts, tours or event enquiries, the family can be reached by telephone on 07769 811661 or by email at office@rowlesfarm.co.uk. Subscribe to the Rowles newsletter for 10% off your first order, first access to new releases, and behind-the-scenes news from the vineyard and farm.