Penn Croft Vineyards, Hampshire, England

Penn Croft Vineyards is part of Penn Croft Farms Ltd, a 570-hectare arable farm in Hampshire that has been practicing regenerative farming for over 25 years. In 2018, the team planted their first vineyard, guided by the belief that soil health underpins everything—healthy soils lead to healthy vines, and healthy vines produce exceptional wines.

The vineyard was born out of a collaboration between farmer Simon Porter, who had long envisioned planting vines on his farm, and Malcolm Walker, a filmmaker and wine enthusiast. Together they founded Itasca Wines Ltd, with the shared goal of producing English wines of the highest quality while staying true to regenerative principles.

Penn Croft’s 5-hectare Certified Regenerative by AGW vineyard was designed with the input of renowned agronomist Frédéric Thomas. Vines were planted at nearly double the industry standard spacing, allowing cover crops to flourish between rows. To offset lower plant density, Scott Henry trellising was introduced to maximise yield and fruit quality. Importantly, all vines were planted by hand to avoid disturbing soils that had remained unploughed for 25 years.

A wide range of cover crops are planted each year to feed soil biology, develop soil structure, store carbon, and keep living roots in the soil. Alternate rows of cereals are crimped each summer to create a natural thatch, protecting the soil by retaining moisture and moderating temperature. Leaf and soil testing guide tailored foliar nutrition, reducing reliance on fungicides, while livestock such as sheep—and soon chickens—are integrated into the system. Bees benefit from wildflowers planted around the vineyard, while increasing soil organic matter and invertebrate counts show measurable soil regeneration—as well as increased levels of wildlife.

“Scruffy is good,” says Simon. For him, biodiversity and soil health matter more than tidy rows. Indeed, the new Certified Regenerative by AGW logo confirms that Penn Croft is operating in a way that means more biodiverse ecosystems, cleaner air and water, and better treatment for workers and animals.

The regenerative ethos also extends into the winery, which was designed to the highest environmental standards. Solar panels provide renewable energy, while energy-saving lighting and insulation reduce demand. Penn Croft was also the first commercial winery in England to introduce a wetland water treatment system.

Penn Croft’s white, rosé, and sparkling wines are served in a growing number of respected outlets, from boutique inns and hotels to local restaurants and pubs, as well as through weekly vineyard and winery tours. Certified Regenerative by AGW gives customers the assurance that every bottle is made with care for the land, the soil, and the wider environment.

Certified Regenerative by AGW wine from Penn Croft Vineyards is available to order online via the vineyard’s website, as well as through select independent outlets and hospitality venues. Check the AGW directory for details.

For more information about Penn Croft’s weekly vineyard and winery tours, visit penncroftvineyards.com.

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