Wake Court Vineyard at Sherborne Castle: An English Estate Vineyard in Dorset
Welcome to Wake Court Vineyard at Sherborne Castle
Nestled in the rolling Dorset countryside on the historic Sherborne Castle Estates, Wake Court Vineyard is one of England's quietly distinguished estate vineyards. Although it sits in the shadow of the much better-known Sherborne Castle itself - built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 - the vineyard has a story of its own that stretches back almost nine hundred years, making it one of the most ancient winemaking sites still in production in the country.
Today, the vineyard produces around 15,000 bottles a year of traditional-method sparkling, still and rosé wines, together with an oak-aged wine brandy and an Old Tom-style gin. These are bottled under the Sherborne Castle label and sold through the estate, online and through a small network of local stockists across Dorset, Somerset and beyond.
A Tradition Stretching Back to the Middle Ages
The story of viticulture on the Sherborne Castle Estates is older than the castle itself. The tradition of winemaking here began in the Middle Ages, when Bishop Roger of Salisbury - who built the original Old Castle in the twelfth century to administer the western part of his large diocese - planted a vineyard on the northern side of the lake. By 1146 the vines were mature enough to be mentioned in a papal bull issued by Pope Eugenius II.
The medieval vineyard disappeared over the centuries, but the link between the estate and English wine was revived in 1982 when John Wingfield Digby planted a new vineyard at Wake Court in the neighbouring village of Bishops Caundle. The site sits on a south-facing slope with limestone loam over clay - exactly the kind of free-draining, mineral-rich ground that ripens cool-climate grape varieties reliably in an English summer.
There is another, slightly more romantic, thread to the estate's wine story. The family of Sir Kenelm Digby, who acquired Sherborne Castle in 1617, is credited with inventing the strong glass bottle capable of holding fermenting wine under pressure - the forerunner of the modern sparkling wine bottle. The estate highlights this connection on its Sparkling White label.
The Vineyard Today
The vineyard covers three hectares of vines on a south-facing slope, with soils of limestone loam over clay. The vines are trained on a wide high-wire system known as Geneva Double Curtain, which keeps the canopy open and allows more light to reach the fruiting zone - a crucial factor when ripening grapes in England's marginal climate. Although the system supports a smaller number of vines per hectare than more traditional layouts, the improved exposure to sunlight gives a better, more even ripening.
The varieties grown include Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Reichensteiner, Schönburger, Seyval Blanc and, most recently, Merlot Kanthus - a mix of Germanic and classic Champagne varieties chosen for their ability to perform in a British climate. The Special Reserve is a blend of three of these varieties, while the two traditional-method sparkling wines (a white and a rosé) are made from the Pinot and Seyval grapes.
Once the grapes have been harvested, the wine is produced by Furleigh Estates near Bridport, where the latest winemaking technology and equipment are used to turn the estate's fruit into still, sparkling and fortified wines. The wine brandy is distilled from the Seyval wine and aged in oak barrels for eight years before bottling.
The vineyard itself is a private working site and is not open to the public, with no vineyard tours offered. Sherborne Castle wines can be tasted and bought at the Visitor Entrance at Sherborne Castle or purchased online.
The Wines of Wake Court
The current Sherborne Castle range, available from the online shop, comprises:
- Sparkling White 2020 - 12% ABV, 75cl. A traditional-method English sparkling wine with biscuity undertones and lively fruit, described by the estate as "perfect for entertaining." £25 per bottle.
- Sparkling Rosé 2023 - 12% ABV, 75cl. A crisp, dry, traditional-method rosé with an elegant fizz and a delicate sweetness on the palate. £28 per bottle.
- Special Reserve 2018 - 11% ABV, 75cl. A blend of three grape varieties producing a crisp, dry, fruity wine that works well as an aperitif or alongside food. £12.50 per bottle.
- Rosé 2024 - 11% ABV, 75cl. Made from the Pinot grape, with a gentle rosé colour and a light, refreshing taste - "perfect chilled for a warm summer's day." £12 per bottle.
Sherborne Castle Spirits
Beyond the wines, the estate also produces two spirits using wine from the vineyard as a base:
- Sherborne Castle Wine Brandy - 40% ABV, 50cl. Distilled from Sherborne Castle wine and aged in oak barrels for eight years. The estate describes it as having "a smooth rounded flavour, a real must for all brandy connoisseurs." £25 per bottle.
- Sherborne Castle Old Tom Style Gin - 40% ABV, available in 35cl (£15) and 50cl (£20) presentations. The vineyard has used some of its wine to create a unique gin that combines the character of the wine with carefully selected botanicals. It has traditional piney and citrus notes, created by a steeped juniper infusion and distillation with twelve botanicals, and is presented in a distinctive cubic bottle.
Visiting the Sherborne Castle Estate
Wake Court Vineyard sits on the wider Sherborne Castle Estates, and most visitors come to know the wines through a visit to the castle and gardens themselves. Sherborne Castle has been the family home of the Wingfield Digby family since 1617 and has been open to the public since 1969.
The gardens are one of Capability Brown's first commissions. Brown was asked to install a lake in 1753 and returned between 1776 and 1778 to landscape the grounds. The result is a Grade I listed English Landscape Garden of 42 acres of gardens and pleasure grounds, set within more than 1,000 acres of parkland, with a 50-acre lake at its heart. Champion trees include cedars of Lebanon and a particularly important Ginkgo tree.
Two circular walks take in the key features of the garden: the Pleasure Grounds and Fossil House Walk (approximately 2.1 km) and the Thatched Hut and Gingko Lawn Walk (approximately 1.6 km). Combining the two gives a complete tour of the garden.
Castle Tours and Garden Admission
Sherborne Castle is open every day except Mondays. The castle itself can only be visited on a guided tour, with timed slots throughout the day. Each tour lasts approximately one hour with one of the estate's guides.
Standard admission prices are:
- Gardens Only: Adult £13, Child (3 - 15) £4, Under 3 Free.
- Castle and Gardens: Adult £17.50, Child (3 - 15) £4, Under 3 Free.
- Historic Houses members: Free entry to Castle and Gardens.
- RHS members: Free entry to Gardens every Wednesday from 1 April to 30 September 2026, and free entry from 1 October to 31 October 2026 (excluding Mondays).
- English Heritage members: Gardens Only Adult £11.50, Child £2.50; Castle and Gardens Adult £16, Child £2.50 (family membership only).
A 10% discount is available when purchasing tickets 48 hours in advance. The Great British Summer Savings scheme runs from 25 June to 1 September 2026, reducing Castle and Garden Adult tickets to £17.50, Gardens Only Adult to £13 and Child entry to £4.
For those who plan to return, a Gardens Season Ticket is available for £60, which includes free parking, the ability to walk within the gardens, and accompanying up to three children aged 5 - 16. Holders receive a 5% discount on food and drink at the Walled Garden Restaurant and on retail purchases at the ticket box.
Group and School Visits
The estate welcomes groups of 15 or more visitors and offers discounted rates:
- Timed castle tour: Adult £18.50, Child (3 - 15) £5.
- Private viewing of the Castle with a tour guide: Adult £22, Child (3 - 15) £8.
- Gardens group: Adult £14, Child (3 - 15) £4.
- Guided tour of gardens: Adult £20.
Schools and language student groups can book a timed tour at £5 per child or a private viewing at £8 per child. Each child receives a Children's pack including a pencil, castle quiz and Children's Garden Trail. Language information sheets are available in French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and German.
Events Through the Year
Sherborne Castle and Gardens hosts a number of seasonal events each year. The 2026 calendar includes:
- Great British Summer Savings - 25 June to 1 September 2026. Reduced ticket pricing on open days.
- Fairy Door Trail - Saturday 25 July to Sunday 30 August 2026. A self-guided family trail through the gardens discovering tiny decorated doors hidden in tree trunks, walls and roots. Fancy dress is welcome, and prizes are available from the ticket box at the end.
- Autumn Colours Weekend - Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026. Reduced-price entry to the gardens (Adult £7.50, Child £2.50, Under 3 Free) to enjoy the autumn colour reflected in the lake. Dogs on short leads are welcome.
- Children's Autumn Pumpkin Trail - Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. A family trail discovering pumpkins hidden in the garden, with clues to solve along the way and prizes from the Visitor Entrance. Fancy dress is welcome.
Where to Buy Sherborne Wines
Sherborne Wines and Spirits are available to purchase online via the online shop, from the Visitor Entrance at the castle, or over the telephone with the option to collect from either the Visitor Entrance or the Estate Office. The Visitor Entrance is situated in the visitor car park and also sells cold drinks, ice creams and souvenirs.
Sherborne Wines and Spirits can also be found across a network of local stockists in Dorset and Somerset. Retail outlets include Chalbury Food & Wine in Weymouth, Dike & Son in Stalbridge, Hunts Supermarket in Sherborne, Q&A Wines near Yeovil, The Dorset Wine Company in Poundbury, The Udder Farm Shop in Gillingham, Vineyards of Sherborne, and the Somerset Wine Company in Castle Cary.
Restaurants, hotels, tearooms and pubs carrying the range include Eweleaze Farm, Plumber Manor Country House Hotel, The Cross Keys and Three Wishes in Sherborne, The Eastbury Hotel, The Green Goat Deli in Corfe Castle, The Green in Sherborne, Ellwood Cottages in Blandford Forum, The White Hart at Yetminster, the Walled Garden Restaurant (next door to the castle car park) and The Elms at North Wootton.
Getting to Sherborne Castle
Sherborne Castle is located in the north of west Dorset, on the edge of the medieval town of Sherborne, on the B3145 about three-quarters of a mile from the town centre. The postcode is DT9 5NR. There is only one entrance gate, on New Road, adjacent to Castle Gardens garden centre - other routes shown by in-car sat-nav systems are not physically possible.
- By road from the north: Leave the M5 at Junction 25 and follow signs for Yeovil and then Sherborne.
- From the east: Via the A303 signposted Sherborne (via Wincanton) or the A30.
- From the west: Via the A30 from Exeter and Honiton, then follow signs to Yeovil and Sherborne.
- From the south: Via Blandford or Dorchester on the A352.
- By rail: London Waterloo to Exeter St. Davids services call at Sherborne (approximately 2 hours 15 minutes from London). The castle is a ten-minute walk from the station.
- By bus: There is a bus stop outside the castle gates.
The Estate Office can be reached by telephone on 01935 813182, with out-of-hours emergency numbers 07973 740 298 and 07814 662 723. For wine enquiries, the team is based at the Estate Office, The Stables, Sherborne Castle, New Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR.
Sherborne Castle is a member of Historic Houses, and the estate is active on Facebook and Instagram.
Although Wake Court Vineyard itself remains a private, working site, its wines and spirits offer a way to take a taste of the Sherborne Castle Estates home - whether the morning has been spent exploring Capability Brown's landscape garden, climbing the Tudor turrets of Raleigh's house, or simply following the family story of the Digbys from the twelfth century to the present day.