A couple who planted vines as part of a retirement hobby plan are now ready to pass on their award-winning wine business – along with the historic house they restored.
John and Elisabeth Goodall moved to Sealwood Cottage, in Derbyshire, seventeen years ago when they decided to kick back after a successful career in farming.
They restored the 18th century Grade II listed farm cottage which had been built as a country retreat, part of which had not been occupied for more than a century.
But once that considerable job had been done, they took a visit abroad which set them on course for their next challenge.
John explained: “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 John and Elizabeth and their two children planted their first 4,000 vines and just two years later they produced their debut wine.
“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,” John added.
“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.”
But now John – who is in his late 70s – has decided to concentrate on tasting his wine rather than producing it.
“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 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. The whole estate – which also includes a small camp site – stretches to 21.4 acres.
Emily McPheat, of Fisher German, 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.”
