South Pickenham Estate Vineyard: A Norfolk Sparkling Wine Story
Tucked into the quiet Norfolk countryside near the village of South Pickenham, just south of Swaffham, lies a small but characterful English vineyard that has quietly built a reputation for high-quality traditional method sparkling wines and aromatic still whites. South Pickenham Estate Vineyard is one of those quietly impressive English wine producers where the focus is firmly on craft, provenance and the land beneath the vines.
The origins of the South Pickenham vineyard
South Pickenham Estate vineyard extends to approximately two hectares and was first planted back in 1988 by a former owner of the estate purely for private consumption. The original vines were sourced from Germany, and the original support system used was the Geneva Double Curtain - a trellising method considered state-of-the-art at the time and one that allowed the vines to maximise sunlight exposure and air flow. That decision showed considerable foresight on the part of the then owner, as the estate still uses this style of canopy management today.
It was in 2010 that the vineyard was converted into a small commercial enterprise. The estate now produces up to 3,000 bottles of its own vintage each year, selling principally to local pubs and restaurants, with cases of six also available to members of the public.
Grape varieties and winemaking philosophy
Across the two hectares, the vineyard is planted with a thoughtful mix of classic cool-climate grape varieties:
- Seyval Blanc - a hardy French hybrid that performs brilliantly on heavier Norfolk soils
- Muller Thurgau - a fragrant German cross that brings floral aromatics
- Chardonnay - a more recent addition to the blend
- Bacchus - the signature aromatic white of English wine country
- Schönburger - another German-bred variety prized for its perfume and body
The estate is also exploring the introduction of a red grape variety in the not-too-distant future, and a rosé and "pink fizz" are in the pipeline. All sparkling wines are produced in the traditional Champagne method - secondary fermentation in the bottle - and are left on the lees for at least three years before release, a patient approach that adds depth, complexity and fine bubbles.
The team benefits from an association with a vineyard in Tuscany, which provides supporting advice on operational activity, and the estate also employs a dedicated agronomist to monitor plant health across the vineyard. As the producers themselves note, the UK wine industry is a rapidly developing, exciting and expanding market, with global warming and experimentation allowing more varieties to thrive in English conditions.
The wines: Norfolk sparkling and aromatic whites
South Pickenham produces two core product lines, both sold by the case of six, with free delivery within 15 miles of the estate and UK mainland delivery arranged further afield.
South Pickenham Sparkling Wine
The estate's signature English sparkling wine is made from a blend of Seyval Blanc, Muller Thurgau and Chardonnay, with some vintages also incorporating Schönburger. The grapes are processed at Chilford Hall Vineyard & Winery in Cambridgeshire, where they are blended to create a light, refreshing sparkling wine described by the estate as "perfect for a celebration drink". Cases of six bottles are priced from £126.00 to £138.00 depending on the vintage.
Featured vintages include:
- 2013 Vintage - A well-balanced sparkling wine with light vanilla notes and a refreshing hint of acidity. Made from Muller Thurgau, Schönburger and Seyval Blanc. Alc 10.5%.
- 2016 Vintage - A wonderfully fruity, vibrant and characterful sparkling wine. A blend including Muller Thurgau, Schönburger, Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay. Alc 11.5%.
All bottles are stored in the estate's temperature-controlled wine store to maintain quality until they reach your door. View the current South Pickenham Sparkling Wine.
South Pickenham Dry White Wine
The estate's still white wine is an aromatic, dry style produced from Bacchus and Schönburger grapes. The wine is described as "wonderfully aromatic, redolent of ripe gooseberries and elderflower", delivering citrus fruit notes and a pleasantly long but light finish. Cases of six bottles are priced at £108.00.
The 2024 Vintage is the current release, bottled at 10.5% ABV and again kept in the estate's temperature-controlled store to lock in freshness. View the current South Pickenham White Wine.
Other vintages in the cellar
The cellar also holds additional vintages including Sparkling 2017, Sparkling 2018 and White Wine 2021.
Visiting the estate and vineyard tours
When tours are running, the South Pickenham Vineyard Tour is one of the most charming small-vineyard experiences in Norfolk. The format is straightforward and convivial:
- Meet at the Home Farm car park
- A ten-minute tractor trailer ride out to the vineyard itself
- A hosted walk through the vines with an expert guide
- A return ten-minute tractor trailer ride back to the farm
- A wine tasting with nibbles held in the converted barn at Home Farm
Tickets are priced at £15 per person, with wine available to purchase on the day. Bookings are available via southpickenhamvineyards.co.uk/product/south-pickenham-vineyard-tour/. Upcoming vineyard tours are currently unavailable.
Where to buy South Pickenham wines
Direct from the estate is the most reliable route. Both the sparkling and still ranges are available to buy by the case of six. The estate sells principally to local pubs and restaurants but welcomes private customers. Delivery can be arranged anywhere on the UK mainland, with free delivery within 15 miles of the estate for local buyers.
Location and contact details
South Pickenham Estate is located in the village of South Pickenham, a few miles south of Swaffham in west Norfolk. The estate office sits at Home Farm.
- Address: The Estate Office, Home Farm, South Pickenham, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 8DZ
- Phone (Head Office): 01760 756 376
- Email: info@specoffice.co.uk
- Website: southpickenhamvineyards.co.uk
- Parent estate: southpickenham.co.uk
The operating company is The South Pickenham Estate Company Ltd (Company No. 02834019). The estate is also active on Facebook.
A small Norfolk producer worth seeking out
South Pickenham Estate is the kind of small, family-run English vineyard that gives the UK wine scene its character: a two-hectare site with a clear winemaking philosophy, three years on the lees for the sparkling, a thoughtful mix of German and French grape varieties, and a genuine commitment to local hospitality through pubs, restaurants and vineyard visits. Whether you are hunting for a traditionally made English sparkling for a special occasion, or a gooseberry-and-elderflower Bacchus-driven white for the table, South Pickenham is a quietly excellent Norfolk name to have on your radar.