Highclere Castle that inspired Downton Abbey starts producing own wine
A drop of Downton Abbey! The real-life occupants of Highclere Castle that inspired the TV show start producing their very own sparkling wine
- Lord and Lady Carnarvon will make around 900 bottles of sparkling rosé
- They planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varieties back in 2018
One of Britain’s grandest stately homes has heralded its first ever wine harvest.
Lord and Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, famous as the set of hit historical drama Downton Abbey, planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varieties back in 2018.
The couple discovered that the ‘old wall garden’ on the Hampshire estate had the perfect chalk soil for a vineyard.
This week thousands of grapes were hand-picked across the 2.5 acre vineyard which will now be turned into around 900 bottles of sparkling rosé.
Lord and Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, famous as the set of hit historical drama Downton Abbey, have harvested their vineyard for the first time
Pictured: Farm manager Simon Andrews picking the crop of Pinot noir grapes. Lady Carnarvon has registered the name ‘Chateau Highclere’ for the wine
It has been reported that the pinot noir crop turned out fantastically, while the chardonnay grapes were a bit more challenging because of the heavy rain this summer.
Hopes are high for the future with dreams of 4000 bottles being produced from the two varieties in years to come.
Lady Carnarvon has registered the name ‘Chateau Highclere’ for the wine.
Highclere Castle will stock the new sparkling wine in the estate shop.
Highclere Castle is most famous at the location of the hit TV series Downton Abbey
Lord Carnarvon, the real-life Earl of Grantham who was played by Hugh Bonneville, said: ‘I’m delighted to see the weight and quality of the pinot noir bunches.
‘The chardonnay grapes were slightly challenged by the severe rain but we’ve had a promising harvest.
‘On tasting of the grapes they have a wonderful sweetness which in turn will hopefully produce a pleasing sparkling wine.’
The new sparkling wine will be sold alongside the estate’s own gin label in the estate shop.
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