New owners are being sought to take on a Grade II listed country cottage and 21.4 acres of land including its own vineyard.
Retired farmers John and Elisabeth Goodall have decided to hang up their winemaking equipment and spend more time enjoying a glass of wine rather than making it.
The couple moved to Sealwood Cottage, near Swadlincote, Derbyshire, 17 years ago after a career in farming.
They put their efforts into restoring the 18th century farm cottage which had been built as a country retreat, part of which had not been occupied for more than a century.
Whan that work was done their thoughts turned to a fresh challenge.
John, who is in his late 70s, said: “I had a pen friend from Germany since the 1970s and we decided to go and visit her.
“It was wine growing country and I noticed that the soil was very similar to that at home – light, free draining and sandy, and it started us thinking!”
In 2008 he and Elizabeth and their two children planted their first 4,000 vines and two years later produced their debut wine.
John said: “We produced 820 bottles of red that first year and that has now grown to almost 13,000 bottles a year, including red, white and sparkling.
“We sell through our website, farm shops and some food festivals and fairs. We also do wine tasting and tours of the vineyard, so it really has become something quite special.
“It has been so much fun creating and developing the vineyard, but it is time now for someone to carry the business forward. We are moving just down the road, and we would be more than happy to pass on any expertise we have picked up over the years.”
The vineyard grows new hybrids – regent and rondo red grapes along with solaris, ortega and madeleine angevine white grapes. Bottles sell from £10 up to a sparkling wine at £22.50.
The Goodalls are marketing Sealwood Cottage and the vineyard, which is four miles from Swadlincote and seven miles from Ashby, through agents Fisher German.
The cottage has five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and a triple garage, and the estate includes a small camp site.
Fisher German senior sales negotiator Emily McPheat said: “The Goodalls have not only created a wonderful home by bringing a character property back to life, but have created a fantastic business from scratch. Sealwood is a testament to their vision and dedication.
“They are really keen to see someone scale the business up and is a rare opportunity to buy a home and business, both of which are equally fascinating.”
