Brut Sparkling
£25.95
Grapefruit brings the brightness, then honey and toasted hazelnut soften the edges. Lively, rounded and quietly savoury, with enough depth for smoked fish or a good Midlands cheese.
1983
Halfpenny Green, Bobbington
Halfpenny Green began in 1983 with farmer Martin Vickers, half an acre of vines and an ambition that sounded wonderfully unlikely at the time: to grow grapes in South Staffordshire capable of standing beside those from established European regions. Eight years later another 22 acres went into the ground. Today the vineyard stretches across almost 30 acres and remains firmly in family hands. Martin’s son Clive now turns the fruit into an unusually broad range of English wines in the estate winery, while Clive’s wife Lisa has helped shape the shop, restaurant and tearooms into a proper day-out destination. The result feels refreshingly unbuttoned. You can book a guided tour, taste in the Wine Loft, browse the farm shop or simply settle in for something to eat before taking another look at the vines. Behind the visitor welcome is a serious production operation. The winery makes the estate’s own still and traditional-method sparkling wines and lends its experience to vineyards across England and Wales, from early planting advice to disgorging and final labelling.
The vines sit around 250 feet above sea level on sheltered, south-facing slopes near Bobbington. Light, sandy soils drain freely, helping an eclectic mix of sixteen varieties find their feet in the Midlands climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir give the sparkling wines their classical backbone; Bacchus, Huxelrebe, Madeleine Angevine, Regent, Rondo and Schönburger bring the aromatic range and colour that make the wider line-up unmistakably Halfpenny Green.
WINEMAKER
Owner and Head Winemaker Clive Vickers grew into the estate his father Martin planted. From the winery built here in 2005, he and the team make the family’s own wines and handle fruit for dozens of other English and Welsh vineyards. That breadth of experience shows in a range that moves confidently from bright, approachable still wines to bottle-aged traditional-method fizz. The style is generous and clear-fruited, with enough cellar time to bring toast and texture without losing the easy charm that defines the estate.
The Collection
£25.95
Grapefruit brings the brightness, then honey and toasted hazelnut soften the edges. Lively, rounded and quietly savoury, with enough depth for smoked fish or a good Midlands cheese.
£28.95
Golden apple and a honeyed, straw-like richness meet biscuit, roasted nuts and a fine line of freshness. Mature, mellow and comfortably generous, with the savoury detail for roast chicken or a long Sunday lunch.
£25.95
Pale and bright, with redcurrant, wild strawberry and watermelon lifted by citrus and a gentle touch of brioche. Fresh, softly fruity and celebration-ready without becoming sweet.
Vineyard Shop
Monday: 09:00–17:00
Tuesday: 09:00–17:00
Wednesday: 09:00–17:00
Thursday: 09:00–17:00
Friday: 09:00–17:00
Saturday: 09:00–17:00
Sunday: 09:00–17:00
Restaurant
Monday: 09:00–17:00
Tuesday: 09:00–17:00
Wednesday: 09:00–17:00
Thursday: 09:00–17:00
Friday: 09:00–17:00
Saturday: 09:00–17:00
Sunday: 09:00–17:00
Vineyard shop: Wine, deli and farm shop. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Restaurant: Restaurant and tearooms; individual food-service times vary. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.