'I have loved almost every moment - time to enjoy a few quiet glasses of wine'!

Dear Sharpham Friend,

It’s time for me to retire. This will give me heaps more time to have a glass or two of refreshing Dart Valley wine and I’m counting my blessings that after 32 years at the sharp-end of this wonderful business, we have found a great way for it to continue and to thrive into the future.

On 1 October, Sharpham wines will be made and sold by our close neighbour Sandridge Barton Wines Limited.  That’s the legal nicety but you’ll hardly notice any difference. Our vineyard, winery, retail and back-office team will have joined them and the range of Sharpham wines available on the website will still be winning as many awards. In fact, some of these awards have been for wines that we have made from grapes grown on the Sandridge Barton vineyards just down river on the other side of the River Dart.

Duncan Schwab, who has long been our head winemaker, is now CEO of Sandridge Barton Wines Ltd.  I know it sounds posh, but he’ll still be in the winery in his wellies come harvest time.

I’m guessing that you’d still like to know about what the team gets up to at Sharpham (and now at Sandridge Barton as well), to get first dibs of our new wines as they are released, and to be reminded of what a very beautiful area the Dart Valley is. In which case, sit tight and you’ll hear from the team without me in due course.

Thank you for helping me enjoy a wonderful career in the very special English winemaking world. I’ve loved almost every moment.

Cheers

Mark Sharman

Managing Director

Sharpham Wine

FAQs

• Can I still buy Sharpham wine and cheese online? – Yes, all our products are available to buy online as normal.
• Can I still visit the vineyard and shop at Sharpham? – Our original shop at Sharpham will be open until 23^rd December 2020. Please look in the ‘Find Us’ section on website for more detailed opening hours.
• How about the vineyard café? – The Cellar Door café are now closed for the season but they will be here at Sharpham again for the 2021 season.
• Where is Sandridge Barton vineyard? – Sandridge Barton is two bends down river and lies on the opposite bank from us between Stoke Gabriel and Galmpton.
• Can I visit it? – Not just yet but we are working on developing a new shop, café and tasting room for the future. We will keep you up to date with the progress!
• I’ve never seen Sandridge Baton wines. Where can I get them from? – Sandridge Barton Wines has only ever operated as a grape grower but has been supplying fruit to Sharpham for the last 10 years. Most of our best selling and award-winning wines have been made with fruit from both Sandridge Barton and Sharpham vineyard sites.
• I loved the fact that Sharpham was artisanal. Is Sandridge Barton a big ‘corporate’ operator and will we lose the local individuality? – Sandridge Barton Wine, like Sharpham Wine, is a small local, family owned vineyard and winery growing fruit to make wine that reflects our unique climate in the Dart Valley. We’re hands on in every manner and our loyal team will continue the Sharpham legacy with the same methods and values down river at Sandridge Barton.