Discover Vineyards and Locally Produced Wines in Bury St Edmunds

Irene and Michael Rhodes retired to Thurston in 2018 in order to follow a dream of having a vineyard and making wine, right here in Bury St Edmunds.

Just over 0.5 hectares of their garden is given over to 2,500 vines with four varieties; bacchus, pinot noir, solaris and rondo grapes.

They have a small winery on site, probably the smallest commercial winery in England, producing around 4,000 bottles of red, white and rose each year.

Hawkswood Vineyard is set in the grounds of Thurston Place which was originally the home of Nathaniel Hodson who designed the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds and his expertise can be seen in the formal grounds that sit next to the vineyard.

The couple have won national awards for their wine and they are delighted to welcome guests by prior appointment for a tour of the vineyard and winery, a chance to meet their Hawk Ruby, and taste their award-winning wines.

Find out more on the Hawkswood Vineyard website.

Just 30 minutes from Bury St Edmunds, Giffords Hall is a charming family-owned vineyard set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. Spanning 19 acres, its unique sandy/clay soil nurtures exceptional grapes, rich in natural sugars and acids—ideal for producing crisp sparkling wines and beautifully aromatic still wines.

Find out more and book at Gifford's Hall Vineyard website.

Burnt House Vineyard is a family run business in the heart of the Suffolk countryside and just 30 minutes from Bury St Edmunds.

Situated on a south facing slope, the vineyard consists of four varieties; Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Bacchus. Established in 2017 the vines are planted over a total of 22 acres.

Burnt House produces grapes for traditional method sparkling wine and still wine. While the vineyard has been operating as a commercial vineyard supplying other brands with grapes, Burnt House has now created their first release of Bacchus.

In 2022 Burnt House opened its cellar door and tasting room which is nestled along a quiet country road in Little Finborough, Stowmarket. Open for tours, tastings, various events, or just drop in to enjoy the vineyard and wines with local produce and food pairings.

Find out more at the Burnt House Vineyard website.

Planted in 1988 on a south facing slope, with some 12,000 vines on seven acres. The vines, trained in the Scott Henry style, thrive on the sandy loam over chalk. On average Wyken Vineyards produce some 12,000 bottles a year, and these are all sold through their Shop, Bull Pen and Restaurant.

You are free to walk to the vineyard from the Leaping Hare over theirHome Meadow and through a most beautiful ancient woodland.

They were the first vineyard restaurant in the UK and produce award-winning wines served in their restaurant.

For more information and to book a tour visit the Wyken Vineyards website.

Set within 30 acres of countryside near Sudbury, Mount Farm Vineyards is a family-run vineyard in the heart of the East Anglian Stour Valley. Established in 2019, it has quickly grown to more than 20,000 vines across six hectares, benefiting from the region's sunny summers, cooling Atlantic breezes and fertile clay-loam soils.

The vineyard grows a variety of grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Bacchus, Gamay and Pinot Meunier, producing a range of quality still wines under the brand ARK Wines that showcase the potential of English viticulture.

Mount Farm is the passion project of Hans and Kristin Engström, who along with their daughter Amanda transformed a former farm into a thriving vineyard after moving to the UK from Sweden. Despite having no previous winemaking experience, the family embraced the challenge, with Amanda studying Wine Production at Plumpton College to help bring their vision to life.

All of the vineyards above are featured in the new Suffolk Wine Trail along with more further afield across the county.

From established estates to small family-run producers, the Suffolk Wine Trail brings together some of the county’s most characterful vineyards, helping you plan tours, tastings and wine-filled weekends at your own pace.

There is no fixed route to follow. Instead, use the Suffolk Wine Trail as your guide to discovering vineyards across the county, from the Shotley Peninsula and the Stour Valley to the countryside around Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.

Choose one vineyard for a relaxed afternoon, pair a tasting with lunch or afternoon tea, or build a full weekend around local food, heritage towns, countryside walks and places to stay.

Whether you are already a wine enthusiast or simply looking for new things to do in Suffolk, the trail is an easy way to explore a different side of the region.