Wake Court At Sherborne Castle

Raise a glass on the historic estate where Sir Kenelm Digby invented the robust wine bottle, where new vines overlook Capability Brown's iconic lake.

https://www.sherbornecastle.com/wake-court/

New Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5NR Get directions

Nearest station: Sherborne (0.3 miles).
Approx walking time: 8 minutes.

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Online shop

Award-winning

Hosts weddings

Open year-round

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

What's the vibe

Wake Court at Sherborne Castle offers a unique vineyard experience, deeply integrated into the historic and picturesque Sherborne Castle estate. While the vineyard itself isn't open for direct visits, its award-winning wines are available at the Castle shop, allowing visitors to enjoy the produce within the stunning grounds.

Visiting information

Please note that the vineyard itself is not open for public tours. However, its wines can be purchased and enjoyed within the beautiful setting of Sherborne Castle and Gardens.
General Opening: Sherborne Castle and Gardens are generally open seasonally, from early April to early November for the gardens, and from May to September for the Castle itself. It is always advisable to check the Sherborne Castle website for current opening dates and times, as these can vary, especially for the Castle interior.
Booking: While you cannot typically just "pop in" for a vineyard experience, timed tours for Sherborne Castle itself are recommended and can be booked in advance.
Facilities: The Sherborne Castle estate features a tearoom and gift shop. The Walled Garden Restaurant is also located on the estate.
Special Events: The wider Sherborne Castle estate hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including Country Fairs, Classic Car Rallies, and Jousting Tournaments. Check the Castle's website for an up-to-date schedule.
Accommodation: There is no on-site accommodation directly at the vineyard or the Castle.
Dogs & Children: The Sherborne Castle Gardens are family-friendly and welcome dogs on short leads. There is also a children's trail available within the gardens.

The Wine

Wake Court Vineyard, part of the historic Sherborne Castle Estate, continues a winemaking tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. The vineyard, established at Wake Court in Bishops Caundle in 1982, benefits from three hectares of south-facing slopes with limestone loam over clay soils.

They produce a range of wines, including a "Special Reserve" classic white wine, which is a blend of four grape varieties, known for being crisp, dry, and fruity. Additionally, the vineyard crafts two traditional method sparkling wines: a white and a rosé. Beyond still and sparkling wines, Wake Court also produces a wine Brandy aged in oak from the Seyval grape, and a unique 'Old Tom' style gin, distilled from their wine with carefully selected botanicals. On average, the vineyard produces approximately 15,000 bottles annually. The grape varieties cultivated include Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Regner, Reichensteiner, Schonburger, and Seyval Blanc.

The wines produced at Sherborne Castle have been recognised as "award winning". While specific recent awards are not detailed, the quality of their English sparkling wine has been highlighted, with biscuity undertones and lively fruit notes.

The vineyard uses a Geneva Double Curtain trellising system, which allows for better light exposure for the fruiting vines. The winemaking takes place on the estate, with traditional method sparkling wines being made and matured on site.

Getting here

Wake Court Vineyard is located within the Sherborne Castle Estate.
By Car: The main entrance to Sherborne Castle is on New Road (B3145), adjacent to the Castle Gardens garden centre. Follow brown signs from the A30/A352, or from the M5 (Junction 25) via Yeovil.
By Public Transport: The nearest train station is Sherborne Station, which is approximately a 10-12 minute walk from the Castle entrance. Taxis are also available from outside Sherborne Station. There is a bus stop directly outside the Castle gates for regional bus services.

What's nearby

Discover more of what the historic town of Sherborne and its surroundings have to offer:
Notable Restaurants:
The Green Restaurant: A family-run neighbourhood restaurant in Sherborne, offering modern British cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. It has been recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand. The Green Restaurant
Seasons Restaurant at The Eastbury Hotel: Located within a luxury Georgian townhouse hotel, Seasons offers fine dining with a focus on local produce. Seasons Restaurant
Notable Hotels:
The Eastbury Hotel & Spa: A multi-award-winning luxury Georgian townhouse hotel offering 5-star accommodation and a spa, centrally located in Sherborne. The Eastbury Hotel & Spa
The Hillbrook Hotel & Spa: A newly built luxury boutique hotel in Sherborne, featuring a restaurant and spa, designed with modern comfort and elegance. The Hillbrook Hotel & Spa
Notable Attractions:
Sherborne Abbey: A magnificent former Saxon cathedral and later an abbey, noted for its stunning architecture, including 15th-century fan vaulting. It is a central feature of the town. Sherborne Abbey
Sherborne Old Castle: Explore the romantic ruins of a 12th-century fortified palace, which played a significant role in English history and stands opposite the "new" Sherborne Castle. Sherborne Old Castle