Quoit at Cross Vineyard

This vineyard is open by appointment only. Contact them directly to arrange a visit.

Tours, tastings and events by booking only.

Opening hours can change for private events - it's always worth checking the vineyard's website before you visit.

What's the vibe?

Quoit at Cross has the feel of a working farm that happens to make very good wine. The site is small, personal and unhurried, with Tim Hill typically leading tours himself and doing the pouring. The views from the vines across the Exe Valley are genuinely impressive for somewhere this accessible. It suits people who want an experience that's rooted in a real place rather than a polished visitor centre.

Tours & Tastings: Quoit at Cross runs 90-minute guided tours twice a week between April and September, with some October dates also available. Each tour begins with a 45-minute walk through the vines led by owner Tim Hill, followed by a 45-minute guided tasting of three wines. Tastings take place under a large marquee. All tours must be booked in advance - drop-in visits are not offered. From £13.50 per person; under-18s and well-behaved dogs on a lead go free. Check the tours and tastings page for current dates and availability.

Private Hire: Private tours are available by prior arrangement for groups of 12 or more paying guests. Private tasting evenings can also be arranged for occasions such as birthdays, hen and stag parties, and other celebrations. Quoit at Cross can additionally bring a guided tasting session to an external location of your choice.

Events: The vineyard hosts a range of workshops throughout the year, including greenwood working, spoon carving, and knife forging sessions run by specialist craftspeople. See the events and workshops page for upcoming dates.

Shop: Wines and local produce are available to purchase after tours, and the online shop stocks the full range for delivery. Visit the online shop to order direct.

Children & Dogs: Children and well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on tours and go free. The site is a working farm, so dogs should remain under control at all times.

Ridgeview is a pioneer in the English wine industry, known for crafting world-class sparkling wines using the traditional method. Founded in 1995 by Mike and Chris Roberts, the estate released its first vintage in 2000 - which promptly won English Wine of the Year. It is now run by the second generation of the Roberts family, with Simon Roberts serving as Head Winemaker. The estate sits within the South Downs National Park, where the chalk and clay soils suit the classic sparkling wine varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. A still Chardonnay has since been added to the range.

The vineyard has earned numerous accolades over the years. Ridgeview was crowned Global Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2018, and was listed among the Top 50 World's Best Vineyards. Their Bloomsbury Magnum NV won Sparkling Wine of the Year at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2024. In 2023, they received Platinum, Gold, and Silver medals at both the WineGB and Decanter World Wine Awards, with their Sparkling Red Reserve being awarded the Pioneer's Trophy. A landmark moment came in 2010 when their Blanc de Blancs 2006 was named Best International Sparkling Wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards - the first time a non-Champagne had won the title. Their wines have been served at state banquets including a dinner for former US President Barack Obama, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and King Charles' first State Banquet.

Ridgeview is deeply committed to sustainable and ethical practices. They are a Certified B Corp (since 2022) and a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain, holding a Gold certification for their vineyard. The vineyard has been herbicide-free for over two years, and their underground cellars use natural ambient temperature control rather than mechanical cooling. A Bio-Bubble system treats all wastewater on site. Ridgeview is already carbon negative across Scope 1 and 2 emissions and is targeting full carbon neutrality by 2030.

The estate operates its own winery, where all wines are produced from grape to bottle on site.

By car
The vineyard is located at Quoit at Cross, Stoodleigh, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 9PJ. It sits in the upland hills of mid-Devon, around 20 minutes from Junction 27 of the M5, with Tiverton visible from the vines. Follow satnav to the postcode - the roads are rural so allow a little extra time on the approach.

By public transport
The nearest mainline station is Tiverton Parkway, which has direct services from London Paddington, Bristol and Exeter. The vineyard is approximately 20 minutes by taxi from the station. There is no practical walking or bus option from the station to the site so pre-booking a local taxi is recommended.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

Stoodleigh sits in a quiet part of mid-Devon that rewards exploring, with a good mix of history, countryside and food nearby.

Food & drink

• Stoodleigh Inn - The local pub, a few minutes' walk from the vineyard, is handy for a meal before or after your visit.
• The Fisherman's Cot, Bickleigh - A popular riverside pub by the Exe, a short drive away and a good spot for lunch.

Attractions

• Knightshayes Court - A National Trust Victorian Gothic Revival mansion near Tiverton with impressive gardens and parkland walks. About 15 minutes by car.
• Bickleigh Castle - A moated castle near the village of Bickleigh with guided tours and a picturesque riverside setting.
• Grand Western Canal Country Park - Over 11 miles of towpath walks and cycling near Tiverton, with one of the last horse-drawn barges in England still in operation.
• Exmoor National Park - Around 30 minutes north, with sweeping moorland, coastal paths and some of the best walking in the South West.

Tim Hill came to winemaking via two years working in Margaret River, the small but high-profile region in south-west Australia that produces a disproportionate share of the country's finest wines. That experience shaped his approach when he returned to the UK in 2018 and started planning a vineyard on the family farm in Stoodleigh - land his family has farmed for close to a hundred years.

The first 800 vines went in on a warm April day in 2019, planted across a south-east-facing slope at altitude with long views towards the Exe Valley. These served as a test area for three years before Tim expanded in 2022 with another 1,400 vines, and again in 2025 with a further 2,000, bringing the total to 4,500 across roughly 5 acres.

The choice to diversify a traditional livestock and arable farm into a vineyard was deliberate - a way of giving new life to land that might otherwise have continued down a well-worn path. The Col Fondo in the range hints at a producer willing to experiment beyond the expected, even at this early stage.

The Food and Drink Devon Awards wins came quickly: Silver for the Classic Cuvée in year one, Gold in year two. For a vineyard still finding its feet in terms of scale and range, that trajectory is notable.