For his sixtieth birthday, Robert Perowne's daughter Jules gave him a vine. He planted it in 2016 at Cobble Hill, his vineyard and winery in Docking, north-west Norfolk, as part of seventeen rows. The grapes did well enough that another 150 rows of Bacchus, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir followed. There are now nine acres of vines on a south-facing slope of chalk. Robert is the fourth generation of Perownes to farm here, and he grew up in the farmhouse at High House Farm. He grows onions, sugar beet, wheat, barley and potatoes across around 1,900 acres, and keeps a small herd of Highland cattle. He started by sending his grapes away to be made into wine. But he wanted more say over the result, so he built his own winery. It's in a barn about two hundred years old, built by William Hoste, one of Nelson's captains. Rachel Lee is the winemaker, with Emma Rice, formerly head winemaker at Hattingley Valley in Hampshire, as consultant. They make still and sparkling wines, and you can book a tour and tasting through the website. The wine is the newest crop on a farm that has been growing things for four generations, and it started with a birthday present.

Awards and Recognition

Cobble Hill grows nine acres of Bacchus, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on chalk at High House Farm, first planted in 2016, and makes the wine on the farm in a converted barn about two hundred years old. Winemaker Rachel Lee works with consultant Emma Rice, who was previously head winemaker at Hattingley Valley.

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/cobblehillwine/

Can people visit or buy direct?

Yes. Tours and tastings are booked through the Cobble Hill website, and the wines can be bought online there too.

Website

https://cobblehillnorfolk.com

Address Summary

Docking, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8PD