Woodreed Vineyard - Organic English Sparkling Wine from the High Weald
Nestled on a south-facing slope in the rolling High Weald of East Sussex, Woodreed Vineyard is a small, family-run estate producing a single, award-winning organic English Sparkling Wine under the Hunter label. Since the first vines were planted in 2013 and the inaugural harvest in 2018, the vineyard has earned a reputation for one thing done exceptionally well: a classic, vineyard-expressed sparkling wine made by renowned Sussex winemaker Will Davenport from Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir grapes, all grown without the use of chemicals.
A Family Returned to the Land
The story of Woodreed is, at heart, a story of coming home. The Hunter family have lived and worked on the land in this extraordinary corner of Sussex for many generations. Their ancestors are laid to rest at the church in the beautiful grounds of nearby Buxted Park, where generations of Hunters have also played cricket - a tradition that continues to this day. Robert Hunter and his family returned to the area in 2006 and moved into Woodreed Farmhouse, a traditional East Sussex farming cottage dating back to the 16th Century. From that move, the seed of a vineyard was sown.
Woodreed Farmhouse
The farmhouse sits at the heart of the small estate. Its sixteenth-century walls and rural setting reflect the character of the wider High Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where ancient woodland, small fields and acid sandstone soils have shaped farming for centuries. That same landscape - its shelter, its aspect, its soil - turned out to be ideal for viticulture.
The Vineyard
Woodreed is a deliberately small vineyard, and the team like it that way. The site is perfectly situated on a south-facing slope, sheltered from the elements by the remnants of the ancient forest that once covered the High Weald. First planted in 2013, the vines have thrived on the rich soil and have been allowed to develop unrushed. The first harvest came in 2018 - five patient years from planting to fruit.
Terroir and Site
The combination of aspect, drainage and the sandy clay loam over sandstone that characterises the High Weald gives the grapes both ripeness and natural acidity - the two essentials for a balanced sparkling wine base. The remaining ancient woodland around the vineyard acts as a windbreak and a wildlife corridor, contributing to the ecological richness of the site.
Organic from the Start
Grape production and wine-making at Woodreed are fully organic, certified by the Soil Association. No chemicals are used in the vineyard or winery, allowing the team to produce a high-quality wine that is full of character without recourse to intervention. Organic status is not a marketing add-on here; it is built into how the vines are grown and how the wine is made.
The Hunter Sparkling Wine
All the time, energy and care of the Woodreed team is devoted to one wine: a classic English Sparkling White made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. The fruit is expertly vinified by close neighbour and renowned winemaker Will Davenport of Davenport Vineyards, an East Sussex producer celebrated for his low-intervention, organic approach.
The Blend
- Chardonnay - provides the brisk acidity, finesse and the elegant, citrus-driven backbone.
- Pinot Meunier - adds soft fruit, rounded mid-palate and a supple, approachable character.
- Pinot Noir - contributes structure, red-fruit depth and the gentle reddish hue that often appears in the rim of the finished wine.
Together, these three Champagne varieties produce a wine that is fresh, full of character and ideal for any occasion - from a quiet glass on the lawn to a celebration with friends.
The Vintages
The 2018 vintage was the first release, and it is the wine that built Woodreed's reputation. As the team themselves admit, they considered writing many flowery descriptions - loved so much by wine producers - but felt the wine was best summed up by one of their very first customers, who simply said: "Hunter 2018 is bloody delicious!"
The 2019 vintage followed, and the 2020 vintage has since been released, with the team noting that it is even better than its predecessors. All three vintages are currently available to purchase in single bottles or in cases of six.
What the Judges Say
Hunter is a double award winner, and the tasting notes from competition judges describe the wine in consistently glowing terms:
- "This wine feels very complete. A really pretty nose with well-defined fruit and excellent balance."
- "Really nicely balanced. Lovely floral nose and good autolytic character. Very nice, well done!"
- "Vibrant nose, with floral and almond notes. Excellent mouthfeel with great flavour development. Clearly well made, and portraying 2018 really well."
- "Good texture, with beautifully balanced finish."
The recurring themes - floral aromatics, autolytic character from time on lees, balanced acidity and a long, textured finish - are exactly the qualities a classic English Sparkling should deliver, and they reflect the care taken in both vineyard and cellar.
The Team
Woodreed is a true family operation.
Robert Hunter - Vineyard Owner
Robert Hunter is the vineyard owner and the person you will most likely speak to if you get in touch. Returning to the family land in 2006, planting the vineyard in 2013 and bringing the first fruit to harvest in 2018, Robert has overseen every stage of the project.
Will Davenport - Winemaker
Although not a daily member of the Woodreed team, Will Davenport is the close neighbour and renowned winemaker who makes the Hunter sparkling wine at his own nearby winery. His hand is evident in the precision and elegance of the finished product.
The 2020 Harvesting Crew
Harvesting at a small vineyard is hard, hands-on work, and the team that picked the 2020 vintage is regularly thanked by the team.
Riley & Mabel - Guard Dogs & Rabbit Enthusiasts
No profile of a working vineyard in the English countryside would be complete without a mention of the dogs. Riley and Mabel are Woodreed's guard dogs and self-appointed rabbit enthusiasts, providing both security and significant morale support throughout the year.
Buying Hunter Sparkling Wine
The Hunter range is sold directly from the vineyard via the online shop, with case and single-bottle options across both the 2019 and 2020 vintages.
Current Range and Prices
- Hunter Quality English Sparkling Wine 2019 - single bottle, £42.00. Buy here.
- Hunter Quality English Sparkling Wine 2019 Case - case of six bottles, £220.00. Buy here.
- Hunter Quality English Sparkling Wine 2020 - single bottle, £36.00. Buy here.
- Hunter Quality English Sparkling Wine 2020 Case - case of six bottles, £180.00. Buy here.
All orders are processed through the dedicated Hunter shop. As the team note, Hunter is the wine for "whatever the celebration" - a flexible, food-friendly fizz that performs equally well as an aperitif or alongside a meal.
Visit Woodreed Vineyard
Woodreed Vineyard is located at Stonehurst Lane, Five Ashes, East Sussex, TN20 6LJ. The vineyard sits within easy reach of the villages of Mayfield, Rotherfield and Crowborough, and is close to neighbouring Sussex producers such as Davenport Vineyards and Ridgeview.
How to Get in Touch
Direct contact for trade enquiries and wine orders:
- Email: robert.hunter@woodreedvineyard.com
- Telephone: 07748 047 143
- Address: Woodreed Vineyard, Stonehurst Lane, Five Ashes, East Sussex, TN20 6LJ
Follow the Story
For the latest harvest news, vintage releases and the occasional appearance by Riley and Mabel, follow Woodreed and Hunter on social media:
The Bottling Line
Every bottle of Hunter is bottled by Davenport Vineyards for Woodreed Vineyard, East Sussex - a line that, in its understated way, tells you a great deal about the project. It is a small, considered, regional collaboration: grapes grown organically on a south-facing Sussex slope, made by a respected local winemaker, and sold directly to the people who will drink it. There is no large marketing budget, no glossy supermarket listing - just a single wine, made carefully, vintage after vintage.
Hunter is the result of fifteen years of family history, six years of vine growth, and a clear philosophy: one wine, done well, with no chemicals and no compromise.