Vineyard may tickle the palate of buyers
A property with an ancient vintage has just come on the market - and buyers will be able to raise a toast to the sale.
June and Geoff Ferguson have run the successful Kerry Vale Vineyard since 2010 and have decided to retire from the business of making wine.
Intending to spend more time with their grandchildren the couple have decided to put the vineyard, which has 6,000 vines, a café, shop and farmhouse up for sale with an asking price of £650,000.
Established eight years ago, the vineyard, near Church Stoke, has made a name for itself in making award winning wines from the dry white Shropshire Lady to the Kerry Vale Sparkling White and the medium/dry white Summer Days.
There is a maturing vineyard, modern three bedroom family house, shop, café and bond store.
The modern three bedroom family house has two reception rooms, an office.
There is also a modern detached two storey café and shop, which has on the ground floor a 25 cover café set among retail display space, from which it is licenced to sell alcohol produced on site. The open plan first floor has a kitchenette and toilets.
Outside, there is ample parking. While most of the six acres is planted with vines, a large turfed area is ideal for camping or other uses, or expansion of the vineyard.
The couple's daughter Nadine Roach said: "This has been a family run business for a number of years. It was established in 2010 and since then we have won awards for our wine.
"This seemed like a sensible time for them to retire.
"This is quite a package. We have 6,000 vines, along with the shop, cafe and farmhouse. There is also the reputation of the vineyard. It has only been on the market for a couple of weeks and we have already had a few people around. There have been no offers yet but there has been a lot of interest.
"It is a rare opportunity. We also have some stock. Whoever buys it will have it up and running easily.
"My parents are planning to spend more time with their grandchildren and are looking forward to having a bit more leisure time."
The vineyard is on the site of a Roman fort and artefacts are displayed in the shop. Most recently, the site housed a smithy whose water was drawn from a well.
It covers five acres, these include varieties of Rondo (2,000 vines producing red wine), Solaris (3,000 vines producing white wine) and Phoenix (1,000 vines producing sparkling white wine).
The vines are pruned on the Double Guyot trellising system which is widely used in the wine regions of Bordeaux and California. The grape harvest usually starts in late September and can continue until November.
