Wyches Vineyard - Award-Winning English Wine from the South Downs
Nestled on the chalky slopes of the South Downs in Upper Swanmore, Hampshire, Wyches Vineyard is a small, family-run English wine estate that has quickly established a reputation for producing elegant, award-winning wines. Planted in 2017, the vineyard has grown from a fledgling venture into one of the most exciting boutique producers in the region, with 5,200 vines nurtured by hand throughout the year.
The Story Behind Wyches Vineyard
Wyches Vineyard began life when the owners moved to Wyches Farm and committed to turning a sloping, free-draining field beside their home into a productive vineyard. From the very beginning, the approach has been hands-on: every vine is tended personally, and the family remains closely involved in every stage of growth, harvest and winemaking decisions. The 2017 planting marked the start of a long-term project to capture the unique qualities of this corner of the South Downs in a bottle.
Despite being a relatively young vineyard, Wyches has already earned recognition in the English wine world. Its single-vintage Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine has attracted particular praise, demonstrating that the chalky terroir of Upper Swanmore is capable of producing traditional method sparkling wines of real finesse.
Terroir and Microclimate
Wyches Vineyard sits on a gently sloping site that drains freely and enjoys excellent sun exposure - two essentials for ripening cool-climate grape varieties reliably in an English summer. Beneath the surface, the soil profile is flinty clay over downland chalk, a classic South Downs combination that lends both structure and minerality to the wines. The vineyard also benefits from a favourable microclimate, sheltered enough to avoid the worst of the coastal weather yet open enough to capture sunshine from the south.
The combination of aspect, soil and microclimate makes the site ideally suited to both still and sparkling wine production. The chalk mirrors parts of the Champagne region in geological character, while the flinty clay topsoil contributes depth and savoury complexity to the finished wines.
Grape Varieties
Wyches Vineyard grows three grape varieties, chosen to complement one another and to suit the English climate:
- Chardonnay - the backbone of the vineyard's sparkling wine, providing the elegance, acidity and ageing potential that Blanc de Blancs demands.
- Bacchus - an aromatic variety well adapted to English conditions, producing intensely flavoured still white wines with herbal and citrus character.
- Pinot Noir - versatile and increasingly reliable on the South Downs, used for both the still red wine and the rosé blend.
Together these varieties allow Wyches to produce a small but well-rounded range of still red, white and rosé wines, plus a traditional method sparkling.
Winemaking in Partnership with Bolney Wine Estate
While the vines are cared for by the Wyches family throughout the year, the winemaking itself is carried out in partnership with the Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex. Bolney is one of England's longest-established and most respected wineries, with decades of experience in both still and sparkling wine production. By entrusting the winemaking to such an experienced producer, Wyches is able to focus on what it does best - growing exceptional fruit - while ensuring every bottle benefits from expert pressing, fermentation, maturation and bottling.
This collaborative approach is common among smaller English vineyards that lack the capital investment required for their own winery, and it consistently produces excellent results when the fruit quality is high.
The Wines
Wyches Vineyard produces a focused range of wines, each designed to showcase a different aspect of the estate's terroir.
Pinot Noir Red Wine 2023
A delicate and silky cool-climate Pinot Noir with smoky red fruits and warm spice on the nose, leading to a palate of strawberry and cherry. The wine is ideal with red meats, poultry or cheese, and drinks beautifully on its own as well. Please note: this vintage is currently sold out.
Bacchus Dry White Wine 2025
This complex Bacchus marries elderflower and gooseberry with savoury notes of white pepper and citrus undertones. Comparable in style to a Sauvignon Blanc, it is delicious on its own or paired with fish, game, chicken or cheese. £16.50 per bottle.
Swanmore Rosé Wine 2025
A classic, light and well-balanced rosé with elegance and flavour. Made principally from Pinot Noir grapes, it is versatile enough to accompany a wide range of cuisine. £16.50 per bottle.
Blanc de Blancs 2023
The flagship wine of the estate: an award-winning single-vineyard English sparkling made purely from Chardonnay grapes harvested with friends in 2023. Stylish with a smooth texture and lovely length, it is perfect for a special occasion, as an aperitif, or paired with seafood, poultry or cheese. £36.00 per bottle.
How to Buy
Wyches Vineyard sells directly to the public, keeping things personal and straightforward. To order, simply email, telephone the vineyard, or place an order via the website. Card payments are accepted.
Delivery Options
- Free local delivery within a 20-mile radius of Swanmore.
- Courier or postal delivery further afield - charges apply.
Discounts and Extras
- 5% discount on orders of 12 bottles or more.
- Gift bags are available on request - ideal for presents and celebrations.
Visiting Wyches Vineyard
As a small, family-run vineyard, Wyches does not currently offer formal opening hours, structured tour programmes or ticketed tasting events. Enquiries from individuals, groups and trade buyers who would like to find out more about the wines or arrange a visit are welcomed. The vineyard can be reached by email at info@wychesvineyard.co.uk or by calling 07885 822289.
Location
Wyches Vineyard is located at Green Lane, Upper Swanmore, Hampshire, SO32 2UQ. The vineyard lies within easy reach of Winchester, Southampton and the wider South Downs landscape, making it a convenient destination for anyone exploring English wine country in Hampshire.
Sustainability and Hands-On Viticulture
Although Wyches is a young estate, the philosophy from the outset has been to interfere as little as possible with the vines, letting nature do much of the work. The family prides itself on being present throughout the year - pruning, bud-rubbing, canopy management and harvesting are all carried out with care. Limited interference combined with good exposure helps the vines produce beautifully ripened fruit even from high-yielding plants, balancing quantity with quality in a way that smaller English vineyards manage particularly well.
Why Wyches Stands Out
In a region increasingly populated by ambitious English wine producers, Wyches Vineyard distinguishes itself through a combination of factors:
- Single-vineyard focus - every bottle comes from the estate's own chalk-flint terroir.
- Award-winning quality - the Blanc de Blancs in particular has attracted critical acclaim.
- Personal service - direct sales mean customers speak to the people who actually grow the grapes.
- Partnership winemaking - the long-established Bolney team ensures technical excellence in the cellar.
Contact Details
- Email: info@wychesvineyard.co.uk
- Telephone: 07885 822289
- Address: Wyches Vineyard, Green Lane, Upper Swanmore, Hampshire, SO32 2UQ
- Website: https://wychesvineyard.co.uk
Wyches Vineyard is a small estate with big ambitions. From its chalky South Downs slopes in Hampshire, it continues to prove that English wine - still and sparkling alike - can stand comfortably alongside the very best of what Europe produces, offering a hand-crafted bottle for every occasion.