Stowmarket: Burnt House Vineyard launches two new wines

Fourth generation farmers James Scarff and sister Catherine - along with parents Stuart and Jill - launched Burnt House Vineyard at Combs, near Stowmarket, after planting their 22-acre vineyard in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

They opened their cellar door in August 2022 and were overwhelmed by the support - selling out of their first release of Bacchus 2021 by Christmas 2022. The site hosts tastings and vineyard tours, as well as a shop.

"It's been going great. I think the vineyard itself was quite a big diversification to do - particularly from the farming aspect - but it has been an incredible journey with all of us gaining knowledge and learning about viticulture too," said Catherine.

She previously worked in music industry finance but now devotes herself full-time to the business.

James and their father are farmers, which have been good transferable skills for grape growing, she explained. The three of them also attended courses in viticulture in Sussex to hone their growing skills.

Their main vineyard situated on a south facing slope consists of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes which was planted in 2017 and 2018.

Their second vineyard was planted in 2019 and consists of Bacchus. They produce grapes for still and traditional method sparkling wine.

"We’re now launching two new wines during the Easter weekend and re-opening our cellar door," said Catherine.

They will be launching a Bacchus wine after an "incredible" summer in 2022. The wine is "bursting with green apple, elderflower and subtle grassy notes," she added.

"We will also be launching our first rosé wine. Our rosé is made with Pinot Meunier grapes producing delicate flavours of strawberries, raspberries and notes of peach. We are incredibly excited for the launch on the rosé."

The vineyard is set to launch a Pinot Noir - which is currently ageing - later this year. First tastings are promising.

The Scarffs will also be expanding their food tasting menu to accompany the wines. 

The arable farm - spanning 700 acres - also grows combinable crops. It farms a further 250 acres on a contract basis.

Over the years it has been home to a number of diversifications including strawberry growing, an electrical appliance business and a frozen food company.

They decided on the wine venture as a means of spreading risk, explained Catherine.

"We were thinking about the long-term future of the business and thinking about where we can take the business next. It was a long discussion and dad has always had an interset in wine and it was just an option we kept coming back to as a family."

Before deciding where to situate the vineyard, they set up weather stations to monitor the perfect spots, she said.