Welcome to Danebury Vineyards

It is in meeting the challenges of the English climate, out on the very fringe of the wine producing regions of the world, that outstanding and distinct wines can be produced. Our long summer days allow for maximum ripening, and the chalk and flint soil characteristic of the region means they develop a balanced level of acidity and mineral-lead fruits. Danebury Vineyards are located near Stockbridge, in the heart of Hampshire, and on the paddocks of what was a famous nineteenth-century racehorse training yard. The vineyards cover 7 acres (2.8ha) of sheltered, south-facing fields on chalk and flint-stone soil. Our first vines were planted in 1988 and today we produce two single-grape still white wines: Madeleine Angevine and Schönburger, together with our ‘Cossack’ vintage sparkling wine.

History

Stockbridge racecourse was first mentioned in 1735 and its reputation grew steadily over the years. It was greatly helped in 1746 when the (then) Prince of Wales awarded a prize of sixty guineas "as a present to the town", which he continued to award for the next four years. It also owed much of its fame to the Bibury Racing Club, which moved to Stockbridge in 1831, where they established their headquarters at the Grosvenor Arms Hotel.

This thriving venue for racing enthusiasts went into a sharp decline when Sir John Barker Mill (who owned part of the land over which the racecourse ran) died. His daughter,Mrs Audrey Barker Mill, upon succeeding him withdrew the lease on the course, as she had never approved of her father's enthusiasm for gaming, racing and betting.