About Daws Hill Vineyard
Daws Hill Vineyard brings French winemaking dreams to life in the spectacular setting of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Founded by Nigel Morgan, a former orthopaedic surgeon who traded the operating theatre for the vineyard after living in France, this boutique estate in Radnage, Buckinghamshire, produces sparkling wines of exceptional quality and character.
Daws Hill Vineyard: Site and Grape Varieties
The vineyard's story is one of passion across generations. After years renovating houses in France, Nigel and his partner Sarah returned to her family home and discovered its potential for viticulture. The first vines were planted in 2004, and today the estate is run by Nigel's daughter Holly, who returned from years abroad in Ibiza, France, and Argentina to continue her father's legacy.
Everything at Daws Hill is done by hand, from pruning and tending each individual vine through the summer to picking every bunch of grapes at harvest. The wines are small-batch fermented and bottled before being hand-labelled – a true artisan approach that ensures each bottle receives loving attention. Most remarkably, every bottle is aged for a minimum of four years in converted Victorian stables, allowing complex flavours to develop fully.
The vineyard grows the traditional Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier – alongside Auxerrois, producing sparkling wines that rival many of their French inspirations. The Chilterns' chalky soils and gentle slopes provide excellent terroir, while the AONB setting offers visitors a stunning backdrop for their wine discovery.
Visiting Daws Hill Vineyard
Daws Hill also produces ciders from locally picked apples, adding another dimension to their artisan offering. Tours and tastings are available by appointment, with dogs welcome on the estate. For those seeking genuinely handcrafted English sparkling wine in an idyllic setting, Daws Hill Vineyard delivers an experience that honours both French tradition and English innovation.