Helping you discover the best of Britain’s vineyards

VINEBOUND


Helping you discover the best of Britain’s vineyards
Furleigh Estate photo

Furleigh Estate

Discover Furleigh Estate, where award-winning English sparkling wines, made from classic Champagne grape varieties, reflect the unique terroir of Dorset.

globe icon https://www.furleighestate.co.uk

Address icon Furleigh Farm Salwayash, Salwayash, Bridport DT6 5JF. Get directions

Train icon Nearest station: Crewkerne (8.2 miles).

discount tag icon Discount available


Public tours
Private tours
Tasting room
Dog friendly
Online shop
Winery on site
Walking trail
Disabled access
Award-winning
Organic or sustainable
Open year-round

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Nestled in the picturesque Dorset countryside, just five miles from the Jurassic Coast, Furleigh Estate offers a delightful atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy award-winning English wines. Visitors frequently commend the knowledgeable guides and stunning scenery, making for a memorable experience.

Visiting information

Cellar Door Shop:

The Cellar Door shop is open from Easter until the end of October, Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. During the winter months, it is open Tuesday to Friday.

Tastings:

You can drop in for a tasting of three wines (two still and one sparkling) for £10 per person during Cellar Door opening hours. While you can often just turn up, booking in advance is recommended, especially for small groups of less than six people. The last tasting is at 4:00 pm.Tours:

Vineyard and winery tours run from Easter until the end of October, every Wednesday to Saturday. Pre-booking is essential for all tours.

  • Classic Tours: Offered Wednesdays at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm, lasting approximately 90 minutes. These include a visit to the vineyard, winery, and a tutored tasting of three wines. Cost is £20 per person.
  • Summer Grand Tours: Offered Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm, lasting approximately 2 hours. These include a vineyard stroll, winery tour, and a tutored tasting of five wines. Cost is £30 per person.
Winter Winery Tours are available after October and do not include the vineyard walk.

Picnics & Events:

From May to the end of August, Furleigh Estate offers pre-booked picnics on Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 pm, designed to accompany a tour or tasting. Picnics are £45 for two people, and 48 hours' notice is required. Guests cannot bring their own food or picnics. The estate hosts various special events throughout the year, details of which are available on their website.

Accessibility:

Dogs are welcome in the shop and on leads during tours/tastings, but are not permitted inside the winery. Please note, as it is a working farm, caution is advised for dogs. Tours and tastings are not suitable for anyone under 18 or for children. Well-behaved children may accompany parents for purchases. There is no accommodation on site.

The Wine

Furleigh Estate specializes in producing exceptional still and sparkling wines, all crafted exclusively from grapes grown on their 85-acre estate. Their sparkling wines are made using the traditional method with classic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. They also produce crisp still white wines from Bacchus and Rondo grapes, a popular still rosé called Sea Pink, and a light red wine named Tyrannosaurus Red.

The vineyard boasts a state-of-the-art, purpose-built winery, constructed in 2007. This facility houses specialist equipment, including a pneumatic press for gentle whole-bunch pressing, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and oak barrels. A temperature-controlled cellar ensures optimal conditions for aging their still and sparkling wines.

Furleigh Estate's wines have garnered numerous accolades, reflecting their high quality. Their Rosé Brut 2010 received the Regional Trophy at the Japan Wine Challenge in 2017, and their Classic Cuvée 2014 won Silver at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards in the same year. The Classic Cuvée 2009 was awarded Gold at 'Effervescent du Monde' in 2013, marking it as the first English sparkling wine to achieve this. Many of their still wines are also silver medal winners.

Sustainability is a core value at Furleigh Estate. They employ environmentally friendly farming practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and water conservation, minimizing chemical inputs through natural pest management. Their winery operates entirely on electricity, with solar panels generating over 100% of their power needs. The estate actively works to reduce its carbon footprint, for example, by using lightweight bottles for still wines, significantly below the UK average. By growing their own grapes adjacent to the winery, they also reduce transport-related emissions.

Getting here

Furleigh Estate is located at Furleigh Farm, Salwayash, Bridport DT6 5JF.

By Car: The estate is situated off the B3162, north of Salway Ash. It is approximately 15 miles west of Dorchester and 5 miles from the Jurassic Coast. Detailed directions are available on their website.

By Public Transport: The nearest train station is Crewkerne, approximately 10 miles away. A taxi from Crewkerne station to Furleigh Estate would take around 15-20 minutes.

What's nearby

  • Other Vineyards:
    • Langham Wine Estate
    • Bride Valley Vineyard
  • Notable Restaurants:
    • Hive Beach Café: Located directly on the beach at Burton Bradstock, renowned for fresh, local seafood and stunning views.
    • The Ollerod: A charming restaurant in Beaminster offering creative cuisine with locally sourced produce in a historic setting.
  • Notable Hotels:
  • Notable Attractions:
    • Golden Cap: The highest point on the South Coast of England, offering magnificent views along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
    • Lyme Regis: A historic and picturesque seaside town on the Jurassic Coast, famous for its Cobb harbour, fossil hunting, and charming streets.

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