Ancre Hill Estates, Ancre Hill, Monmouth

The Brand
Ancre Hill Estates is widely seen as the UK’s leading biodynamic & organic producer and as such is in prime position to benefit from the growing Natural Wine movement and emphasis on sustainability in the UK and beyond.

The Ancre Hill brand is all about quality, focussing on first class vineyard management and winemaking practices with sustainability, protection of the natural environment and chemical free production methods at its core. Quality is underwritten by regular FSA and Demeter inspections supporting the business’s Biodynamic and Organic certifications. Historically when entering wine competitions Ancre Hill has achieved some impressive awards from the likes of
the Bollicini del Mondo (world winner in 2012), Decanter World Wine Awards and IWSC.

Vineyards
Ancre Hill Estates has approximately 22 acres (9 ha) of established vineyards. Approximately 8 acres (3 ha) are located at Ancre Hill, having been planted in 2006 and 2007 with predominantly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Albariño, and some hybrid varieties: Solaris, Triomphe and Ortega (with more recent plantings of Albariño, Solaris and Ortega). A further 14 acres (5.5 ha) of vines are planted at Newton Court Farm with Chardonnay (circa 55%) and Pinot Noir (circa 45%).

The vineyards at Newton Court Farm are young having been planted in 2016, 2017 and 2019. The vines have been brought on very slowly to establish strong plants; the sites are deer and wild boar fenced and circa 50% of the vines are from c.80-year-old Selection Massale vines. As the young vines mature and come into full production the yield potential will naturally increase. The 2023 yield at Newton Court Farm is based on fruiting wire fill capacity of 50-60% and on a like for like seasonal performance and with continued good
management, yields will naturally increase as the vines mature and fruiting wire capacity reaches 100%.

Recent yields of circa 5.5T/ha demonstrate the productivity potential for the business under both Biodynamic and Organic regimes that will be rewarded through attractive sales and turnover
figures. Furthermore, as the young vines mature and come into full production the yield potential should increase. The 2023 yield at Newton Court Farm was based on a fruiting wire fill capacity of 50- 60% and on a like for like seasonal performance there is potential to substantially increase yields perhaps up to 8-10T/ha.

The vineyards at Ancre Hill and Newton Court Farm are all planted to a row spacing of 3m and vine spacing of 1.5m on a Geneva Double Curtain galvanised steel trellis. The vineyards benefit from ancient mudstone/sandstone soils which are free draining and amongst the richest in the world. The vineyards were all planted on virgin soils which had not been intensively arable cropped for many years, resulting in very good soil structure within these productive and fertile soils. The aspect of the vineyards has been carefully selected benefitting from good shelter and South and Southwest facing slopes.

Organic & Biodynamic Status
Ancre Hill wine estate is widely seen as the UK’s leading Biodynamic & Organic producer and so is in prime position to benefit from the growing Natural and Regenerative wine movement. Ancre Hill has been used as an exemplar UK Biodynamic and Organic vineyard in the application of biodynamic spray programmes including the
pioneering use of bio-stimulants and environmentally friendly practices. Being ahead of the curve, Ancre Hill is a well-established brand that is synonymous with environmental sustainability.

The Winery
Ancre Hill is not only a trail blazer in its sustainable viticultural practices but also has one of the world’s most sustainable wineries. The Winery, opened by the then The Duchess of Cornwall in July 2015, combines modern architecture and innovative construction methods to provide approximately 4,000m3 of production and
storage space. It is constructed from straw bales and lime mortar rendered inside and out and is one of the largest buildings of its type in the world. With a U-value of around 0.2 the building has
an exceptional thermal performance with internal temperatures operating in an approximate 8oC range whatever the external temperature. An MVHR system cleanses internal air and an insulated sedum grass roof and reed bed system for disposing of winery effluent naturally compliments the Eco-friendly credentials of this
leading-edge building.

The Winery is fully equipped with a top of the range Sutter press (Bucher Vaslin), stainless steel tanks (including heated tanks), oak barrels and concrete eggs/cuvees, a Toyota forklift truck,
wine storage cages and riddling cages, a GAI Italian bottling line, a double Gyro Pallet system for riddling sparkling wine, corking & muzzling machines, a labelling machine, racking, various tools and accessories, all available by separate negotiation. The Winery at Ancre Hill has significant capacity to accommodate production expansion, through racking existing fermentation vessels and installing mezzanine flooring in two of the three chambers and possibly moving storage of finished and lees ageing Sparkling Wine
to Newton Court Farm.

Expansion Potential
Approximately 50 acres (20 ha) of virgin pastureland at Newton Court Farm is ideal for planting additional vineyards being southwest facing, permanent pasture which was historically utilised for animal grazing. This would be capable in due course of yielding an additional 150-200Ts of fruit, dependent on varieties planted and the trellising system employed.

Ancres Hill’s brand is developing at a pace both in the UK and the wider Western and Far East markets. Wine sales could be expanded through online sales (currently conducted via third parties) and export potential. Currently exports of wine from Ancre Hill are to Canada (British Columbia & Alberta), Singapore and Hong Kong and discussions are currently ongoing regarding potential export markets in Norway and the USA (New York). Ancre Hill’s Orange Wine has significant opportunity in the US and Japanese markets.

There is also the opportunity to drive sales from the Estate through a new cellar door offering.
The rapid growth of vineyards in Wales (now exceeding 50) and in particular in Monmouthshire with its suitable climate and geology, opens the potential to offer other vineyards winemaking services as a new revenue stream. The business has existing stocks of wine at different stages of
development with a large proportion ready for the market in 2025/2026. These wines are available by separate negotiation and offer the new owner access to early revenue, cash flow and profitability.
Beyond the clear expansion and diversification potential of vineyard and wine production at Ancre Hill there also exists significant building development potential (subject to planning) at Newton Court Farm for commercial and/or residential use.

The Management Team
The business comes with a first-class management team led by General Manager & Head Winemaker Jean du Plessis, a wine graduate from Stellenbosch University and with 18 years’ experience with Klein Constantia. He is supported by an experienced Vineyard Manager who has been with the Estate for many years. The current owners, the Morris family, remain committed to their legacy and
would be happy to stay on for an agreed hand-over period.

The Wines
Ancre Hill Estates produces world class sparkling wines, made using the méthode traditionnelle. These wines are fermented in oak and concrete, as well as stainless steel and benefit from a long élevage and most from long lees ageing. The Estate’s still wines benefit from long fermentation and maturation on their gross lees. This takes
place in either Austrian oak, Burgundian concrete eggs or stainless steel, or a combination of these vessels depending on the style of wine being produced. They are not fined or filtered and carbonic maceration is utilised for the red wines and Orange Wine. An impressive range of wine stocks are available for purchase with
the business, principally made up of long lees ageing Sparkling Wines and base Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bulk stocks.

Viticulture Equipment
The Estate operates a range of viticulture equipment including
two Ffendt vineyard tractors, a Gator, two sprayers, rollehackers & mechanical hoes, and a diverse range of machinery for application
of composts/organic fertilisers, seeding, rolling and grass cutting, all available by separate negotiation.

The Ancre Hill Wine Estate is available for sale as a whole or in up to two lots.

Lot 1 – Ancre Hill
About 13.36 acres (5 ha)

Situated approximately 1 mile to the north west of Monmouth, Ancre Hill is located in an attractive, slightly elevated position overlooking surrounding countryside. Accessed directly from Rockfield Road
which runs adjacent to the southern boundary, the private drive sweeps through part of the vineyard and provides direct vehicular access to the offices, tractor shed and workshop. A second access taken from Ancre Hill Lane on the north boundary provides access to the winery. The site as a whole extends to about 13.36 acres (5 ha) and is the more established of the two vineyards forming Ancre Hill Estates. As mentioned above, approximately 8 acres (3 ha) at Ancre Hill is planted with the first vines planted in 2006
and 2007. The vines are predominantly Pinot Noir, Chardonnary, Albariño with hybrid grape varieties being Solaris, Triomphe and Ortega. Ancre Hill is home to the state of the art Winery which was
completed in March 2015. A useful tractor shed and workshop are located off the main drive
which houses the plant for tisane production.


Lot 2 – Newton Court Farm
About 114.69 acres (46 ha)

Newton Court Farm lies just 1.8 miles to the north east of Monmouth in a commanding location with far reaching panoramic views across its own vineyard and surrounding countryside. Newton Court Farmhouse sits almost centrally to the holding and provides superb accommodation over three floors. Extending to approximately 2,564 sq ft with three main reception rooms and four bedrooms, the farmhouse has been renovated sympathetically throughout whilst retaining the traditional features and charm.

Adjoining the farmhouse is an interesting range of traditionalfarm buildings including a former cider mill which is a most historic and characterful building that offers significant potential for conversion to residential use either independently or as anextension of the accommodation in the farmhouse. Beside the mill lies livestock stalls, traditional stores and a large stone barn. These buildings enjoy an elevated position with access to the farmland and vineyards and have huge potential for alternative uses in conjunction with the vineyard or for commercial or amenity uses.
A pre-application enquiry is in the process of being submitted to Monmouthshire County Council by the current owners providing for the conversion of the large stone building and cider mill for
residential and holiday let use. Further details are available upon request from the vendor’s agent.

A bunk house (former farm building) is located next to the farm buildings and provides accommodation and a shower/toilet block.

The land at Newton Court Farm is gently undulating and predominately south/south westerly facing and comprises of approximately 14 acres (5 ha)of planted vines being predominately
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with further plantings an option over approximately 50 acres (20 ha) of permanent pasture. The vineyards at Newton Court Farm are securely fenced with a
galvanised steel deer and wild boar proof fence. There is huge potential at Newton Court Farm to substantially expand the vineyard and further develop the farm buildings.

Ancre Hill Estates is located at two sites on the edge of the beautiful Wye Valley an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty under two miles
from the historic market and border town of Monmouth. Monmouth offers a good range of supermarkets, shops, restaurants and schools including Haberdashers independent boys and girls schools, Llangattock School and Montessori Nursery, a selection of primar schools and Monmouth Comprehensive School. There are good
network connections nearby with easy access onto the M4 and M5 motorway via Chepstow and the M5 via the M50/Ross-on-Wye.

Recreational activities are easy to find nearby with walking, fishing and riding available on the doorstep in the Wye Valley boasting beautiful scenery with Monmouth Golf Course a stone’s throw away. The Spa Town of Cheltenham lies to the east of Monmouth and is well known for its festivals with the Cheltenham Racing Festival
in March, the Jazz Festival in May and Literary Festival in October. The Brecon Beacons National Park is located to the north of Abergavenny providing an abundance of activities.

Ancre Hill Estates enjoys its own micro-climate as demonstrated by the extensive data and information (as shown in the brochure) provided by Alistair Nesbitt of Vinescapes (vinescapes.com), one of Europe’s leading viticulture climatologists.