Sparrow Hill Vineyard: A Family-Run Somerset Sparkling & Still Wine Estate
Tucked into the high ground of the Isle of Wedmore in Somerset, Sparrow Hill Vineyard is one of England's quietly compelling small-scale wine estates. A family-run project of just two acres, it sits on a gentle south-east-facing slope on the edge of the historic village of Weare, with views over the Somerset Levels towards Axbridge, Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills beyond. Since the first vines went into the ground in 2014, Sparrow Hill has set out to do a single thing exceptionally well: produce exclusive single-vineyard English still and sparkling wines with minimum chemical intervention and maximum respect for the place they come from.
The Story of Sparrow Hill Vineyard
Sparrow Hill is, at heart, a family story. The vineyard was planted by hand in 2014 with the three celebrated Champagne grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - chosen specifically for their ability to produce fine English sparkling wine on the Isle of Wedmore's mineral-rich clay and fossilised limestone soils. From the start, the family has tended the vines themselves, with the welcome addition of friends and extended family at the busiest points of the year.
The site is a compact two acres, but it punches well above its weight. Its south-east aspect captures morning light and helps ripen fruit evenly, while the surrounding natural biodiversity is encouraged to flourish alongside the vines. The winemaking philosophy is one of low intervention: minimal chemical treatment in the vineyard, hand harvesting in autumn, and a deliberately restrained approach in the winery.
Terroir: The Isle of Wedmore's Mineral-Rich Slopes
The Isle of Wedmore is the high ground that rises between the Rivers Axe and Brue in Somerset, a recognised sweet spot for English viticulture. Sparrow Hill's particular patch combines:
- Mineral-rich clay soils that retain just enough water through the drier summer months.
- Fossilised limestone running beneath the surface, lending structure, freshness and a subtle chalky character to the wines.
- A south-east-facing slope, giving the vines long hours of morning and midday sun.
- An elevated position overlooking the Somerset Levels, providing airflow that helps keep disease pressure low.
Together these factors produce fruit with both ripeness and natural acidity, exactly what is needed to make sparkling wines that can age gracefully on the lees, and still wines that retain freshness.
The Wines of Sparrow Hill
Sparrow Hill makes a small, focused range of single-vintage wines from its own estate fruit. Every bottle is bottled, labelled and sold by the family. All wines are produced in collaboration with Steve Brooksbank, Somerset's well-renowned and award-winning winemaker.
Classic Cuvée 2016 - Traditional Method Sparkling
The flagship release is the Classic Cuvée 2016, a traditional-method English sparkling wine made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It was harvested in 2016, bottled in 2017 and recently disgorged in 2025, meaning it has spent at least seven years ageing on the lees, an extraordinary amount of time for an English sparkling wine in this price bracket.
- Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
- Vintage: 2016
- Style: Brut English Sparkling Wine
- Alcohol: 12%
- Bottle: 75cl
- Method: Traditional Method, aged on lees for at least 7 years
- Winemaker: Steve Brooksbank
- Price: £27.00 per bottle (10% off when you buy two or more)
Chardonnay 2022 - Single Varietal Still White
A crisp, single-varietal still Chardonnay showing the bright, clean character that the Isle of Wedmore limestone terroir is increasingly known for.
- Grape: 100% Chardonnay
- Vintage: 2022
- Style: Crisp still white wine
- Alcohol: 12%
- Harvested: October 2022
- Bottled: March 2023
- Production: 2,057 bottles
- Winemaker: Steve Brooksbank
- Price: £15.00 per bottle (10% off when you buy two or more)
Rosé 2022 - Dry Still Rosé
A dry, food-friendly still rosé built on the classic Pinot duo, bottled in the spring following harvest to lock in freshness.
- Grapes: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
- Vintage: 2022
- Style: Dry still rosé
- Alcohol: 11.5%
- Harvested: October 2022
- Bottled: March 2023
- Production: 2,567 bottles
- Winemaker: Steve Brooksbank
- Price: £15.00 per bottle (10% off when you buy two or more)
Rosé 2021 - Dry Still Rosé
The earlier vintage of Sparrow Hill's still rosé, offering a slightly more developed fruit profile and a great way to compare two vintages side by side.
- Grapes: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
- Vintage: 2021
- Style: Dry still rosé
- Alcohol: 11.5%
- Harvested: October 2021
- Bottled: March 2022
- Production: 2,037 bottles
- Winemaker: Steve Brooksbank
- Price: £15.00 per bottle (10% off when you buy two or more)
Cases, Mixed Selections and Gift Sets
Because the production is small, Sparrow Hill offers most of its wines in mixed cases and curated selections, ideal for tasting the full range or gifting. Most cases carry a 10% discount off the regular per-bottle price.
Mixed Trio (Festive Selection)
A three-bottle introduction to the house style:
- 1 x Classic Cuvée 2016
- 1 x Chardonnay 2022
- 1 x Rosé 2022
Regular price £57.00 - Sale price £51.30.
Mixed Case (Christmas Special)
A six-bottle case built around festive entertaining:
- 2 x Classic Cuvée 2016 (recently disgorged)
- 2 x Chardonnay 2022
- 2 x Rosé 2022
- 2 x complimentary gift bags
Regular price £114.00 - Sale price £102.60.
Sparkling Case
Six bottles of Classic Cuvée 2016, recently disgorged, the ultimate case for sparkling wine lovers. Regular price £162.00 - Sale price £145.80.
Rosé Case
Six bottles split evenly between Rosé 2021 and Rosé 2022, a perfect opportunity to taste both vintages side by side. Regular price £90.00 - Sale price £81.00.
Chardonnay Case
Six bottles of Chardonnay 2022, the single-varietal still white. Regular price £90.00 - Sale price £81.00.
Still Case (Custom Mix)
Six bottles of still Chardonnay and/or still Rosé, mixed to your own specification, for example 4 Rosé and 2 Chardonnay, or 6 Chardonnay. Regular price £90.00 - Sale price £81.00. Custom combinations are arranged by emailing sparrowhillvineyard@gmail.com.
Sparrow Hill Gift Bag
A kraft paper gift bag with the Sparrow Hill label, suitable for a single bottle of still or sparkling wine. £1.50.
Delivery, Collection and Multi-Buy Discounts
Sparrow Hill keeps its delivery structure refreshingly simple:
- Multi-buy discount: 10% off when you buy two or more bottles (excludes delivery).
- Free local delivery on orders over £35 to postcodes BS25, BS26, BS27 and BS28.
- Free UK delivery on orders over £70.
- Free collection on all orders, directly from the vineyard.
Visiting Sparrow Hill Vineyard
As a small, family-run two-acre estate, Sparrow Hill does not currently run a public tasting room, scheduled tours or a dedicated events calendar. Visits to the vineyard itself are by prior arrangement and can be arranged by emailing sparrowhillvineyard@gmail.com. The free collection option on every order also offers an opportunity to meet the family, pick up wines in person and see the Somerset Levels countryside first-hand.
Sustainability and Low-Intervention Winemaking
Throughout the growing season, Sparrow Hill uses minimal chemical intervention and allows the natural biodiversity of the vineyard and its surroundings to flourish with the seasons. Hand-tending, hand harvesting and a small footprint all contribute to a working landscape that is closer to a garden than a factory. The result is a portfolio of single-vintage, single-vineyard wines tied to the Isle of Wedmore, speaking of clay, limestone, sea-level light and a south-east Somerset breeze.
How to Buy Sparrow Hill Wines
The complete range (including all current vintages, mixed cases and gift options) is available to buy online from the Sparrow Hill Wine Cellar. Orders can be shipped anywhere in the UK (free over £70), delivered locally across the BS25 to BS28 postcodes (free over £35), or collected from the vineyard by arrangement.
For custom still-case combinations, trade enquiries, press samples or vineyard visits, the family can be reached directly at sparrowhillvineyard@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sparrow Hill Vineyard
Where is Sparrow Hill Vineyard?
Sparrow Hill Vineyard is on the edge of the village of Weare on the Isle of Wedmore in Somerset, the high ground between the Rivers Axe and Brue, overlooking the Somerset Levels towards Axbridge, Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills.
When was Sparrow Hill Vineyard planted?
The Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vines were planted by hand in 2014.
Who makes the wine?
All Sparrow Hill wines are made in collaboration with Somerset winemaker Steve Brooksbank.
What styles of wine does Sparrow Hill produce?
Sparrow Hill produces English traditional-method sparkling wine (Classic Cuvée 2016) and still wines, a single-varietal Chardonnay and two vintages of dry still Rosé.
What is the cheapest way to try Sparrow Hill?
The Mixed Trio, at the sale price of £51.30, contains one bottle of each of the three core wines and is the most affordable introduction to the estate.
Does Sparrow Hill offer tours or tastings?
Sparrow Hill does not currently run organised tours or tastings; visits are arranged by emailing the vineyard directly. Free collection is offered on all orders.
Is delivery available outside Somerset?
Yes. Free UK delivery is offered on orders over £70. Free local delivery is available to BS25, BS26, BS27 and BS28 on orders over £35.