Hooperhayne is a boutique vineyard situated on the gentle south-facing slopes of Devonshire’s
Coly Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of the ancient English landscape of the Jurassic coast

About

Vineyard

Fifteen years ago Jane Houldsworth bought a 500 year old farmhouse in an exceptionally beautiful protected valley near Axminster in Devon, just inland from the Jurassic coast with its ancient landscape and geology. Intrigued to find a vineyard half a mile away, she did some research and it turned out that the land at Hooperhayne was similarly well-suited. An idea was born.

An agronomist and other key advisors were appointed, the site selected and Jane enrolled on a Vineyard Establishment and Management course in Sussex.

The grape varieties were chosen and a team lined up to do the planting with laser-guided machinery.

And so in April 2012 a parcel of land on the southern slopes of a beautiful valley in the West Country became a lovingly tended boutique vineyard. 2012 was a Great British year (Olympics in London, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee).

Working closely with her team since the outset and being involved in all matters managerial and practical, Jane has soaked up a wealth of information along the way.

In 2017 a respected wine-maker was chosen to make the first wine and five years on the wines have been critically and commercially acclaimed - Jane’s vision and ambition is being realised.

Running a vineyard in the spring and summer months works well with her other business - an art gallery in London which is busiest during autumn and winter.

www.flyingcoloursgallery.com

Our Wines

Nearly half the vineyard is planted with the Bacchus grape which has been grown in this country for fifty years and has been called “the closest thing England has to a signature variety” by Victoria Moore in the Daily Telegraph.

BACCHUS is grown for still white wine which “smells of grassy meadows and hawthorn; elderflower and citrus” writes Moore. It is increasingly grown here and suits the English terroir well as having a natural affinity with our produce and cuisine.

Our Bacchus Reserve has a distinctive fresh aromatic style and is perfect as a spritzy, refreshing aperitif or with lighter dishes. The 2020 won a silver medal in the 2022 WineGB Awards.

PINOT NOIR is our other main grape variety. The name is from the French for “pine” and “black”, the red grapes growing in pine-shaped bunches. Originally associated with the burgundy region of France, it is now grown globally. Though well-known as a red wine, it is widely used for still and sparkling rosé.

Our English Rosé Reserve is pale, dry and delicious. Winemaker Steve Brooksbank responded superbly to our request to make a classy Provençal style rosé from Devon grapes.

We are very proud of our first sparkling rosé, Pinot Noir Brut Vintage 2017, made by Ian Edwards at Furleigh Estates by the elaborate and lengthy ‘methode champenoise’ with grapes from the first harvest. It is a perfect pale honeysuckle colour, smooth, gently sparkling and delectable - no celebration required to open this reliable bottle of bubbles!

Pinot Noir Brut Vintage 2017

Our elegant dry sparkling rosé is made from the renowned Pinot Noir grape, hand-harvested in 2017 and lovingly produced by the Classic Method. An inviting pale honeysuckle, this smooth and classy wine is beautifully balanced, fresh and lively with pleasing length.
Available individually and in a case of 6

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English Rosé Reserve 2022

The colour is an enticing pale honeysuckle, and the bouquet offers a combination of crisp blood orange and ripe strawberry hits; on the palate taut mineral crispness leads to a fine dry finish.
Perfectly elegant and refreshing on its own or delicious with lighter dishes.
Available individually and in cases of 6 and 12

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Bacchus Reserve Vintage 2020

SIlver Medal in WineGB Awards 2022
This dry and aromatic white wine is made from the elegant Bacchus grape, a variety ideally suited to the Coly Valley’s loamy soil and flinty terrain. The wine is rounded and expressive on the nose with floral and hedgerow notes. It combines refreshing crispness with satisfying body and length. A wonderful spritzy aperitif or enjoy with fish.
Available individually and in cases of 6 and 12

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Bacchus Reserve Vintage 2018

This dry and aromatic white wine is made from the elegant Bacchus grape, a variety ideally suited to the Coly Valley’s loamy soil and flinty terrain. The wine is rounded and expressive on the nose with floral and hedgerow notes. It combines refreshing crispness with satisfying body and length. A wonderful spritzy aperitif or enjoy with chicken or fish.
Available individually and in cases of 6 and 12

Buy Now