Classic cool climate varieties producing both red and white grapes

Pewley Down Vineyard

Pewley Down Vineyard sits on a south facing chalk slope in a small valley on the southern edge of Guildford within walking distance of the town. We are the only working vineyard in central Guildford with a GU1 postcode.

The vineyard is planted with classic cool climate varieties of vines producing both red and white grapes. Beneath the topsoil and flints the underlying chalk holds water like a sponge so the vines survive dry spells without additional water. The flints and chalk also provide minerals giving the grapes additional beneficial qualities which flow through into the wines.

“The wine and sustainability are our passions”

— Mark Hargreaves

Passion for nature

The vineyard benefits from uninterrupted exposure to sunshine enhanced by the gentle south facing slope. Wildlife is abundant with wild bees, wasps, butterflies, deer, foxes, badgers, squirrels and many different birds all visiting regularly. Most of the year the wildlife cause no trouble but near to harvest the fruiting zone of our vines is gently wrapped in fleece to protect the grapes which would otherwise be eaten.

"The wine and sustainability are our passions" says Mark Hargreaves, vineyard owner and manager.

Embedded carbon in the equipment is minimal. The two tractors are old (nearly as old as Mark!) and everything else is done by hand. The wine is the priority and harvest is timed each year to capture the day when optimal balance between natural acidity and sugar levels in the grapes is achieved.

Single vineyard

We are a "single vineyard" producer and we do not buy in grapes and or sell grapes to other producers. Our wines are made solely from grapes grown on our small vineyard in Guildford.

“The wine and sustainability
are our passions”