Suffolk &amp; Cambs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="873" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/burnthouse-vineyard-main.jpg" alt="the outside of Burnt House vineyard visitor centre " class="wp-image-39818" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/burnthouse-vineyard-main.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/burnthouse-vineyard-main-800x698.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/burnthouse-vineyard-main-400x349.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.burnthousevineyard.co.uk">Burnt House Vineyard</a> is a family-run vineyard on a south-facing slope in Great Finborough, just outside Stowmarket. The land has been the Scarff family farm for generations and in 2017 brother and sister team, James and Catherine, decided to branch into viticulture and planted 22 acres of vines. Fast forward to 2024 and the talented duo now specialise in growing Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Bacchus grapes that they harvest to create some of the finest, award-winning still and sparkling wines in the country. Plus, they&#8217;re in the process of adding more acres to the state-of-the-art site, so this is just the start of even greater things to come. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-39809" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-2-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



So why is Suffolk suddenly so good for growing grapes? Well, climate change plays a part as does the fact that the county shares the same chalky, dry and sandy soil that you&#8217;d find in the Champagne region. Suffolk is also one of the sunniest places in the UK (except on the day we visited, of course. More on that later&#8230;) and now has better conditions for grape growing than some areas of Europe that have been doing so for centuries.



The reason Burnt House has been so successful in such a short time is that they&#8217;ve done their homework and being a relatively new vineyard has meant they&#8217;ve been able to set everything up to be modern, efficient and as sustainable as possible from the start. Plus, with so much farming knowledge, they know the soil and the conditions better than anyone and have been able to use this to their advantage to create the healthiest and most productive vines possible. So healthy in fact that they already produce over 10,000 bottles a year and sell a huge proportion of their grapes to other well-known wineries. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-39811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-4-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/Burnthouse-Vineyard-4-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



As well as being a working vineyard, Burnt House recently opened a stunning visitor centre and restaurant where they hold regular wine tasting events with tours and special foodie events. So, we headed over to give Suffolk wine a try and came away a little tipsy and a lot converted&#8230;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-tour">THE TOUR</h2>



You know an experience is amazing when you still have the best time ever despite torrential British rain, and this was the case on our tour and wine tasting. We arrived thinking it was going to be a bit of a damp squib with the July rain driving sideways, and left on (still grey) Cloud 9 having had a wonderful time even though we were a bit soggy. I can&#8217;t even imagine how idyllic Burnt House would be on a sunny day then, and it proved to me that a tasting here can be heavenly in any season. 



The morning started with a short introduction from owner Cat, who had a high flying city job before returning to her family farm, and a quick coffee at our designated tables before we noticed a slight break in the rain clouds and headed out into the vineyard for a tour. Cat is an absolute fount of knowledge about the vines and growing process and it was a fascinating walk learning all sorts of facts and hearing about the family&#8217;s efforts to make sure everything is sustainable and efficient as possible. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="620" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tour-burnt-house-1000x620.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41316" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tour-burnt-house-1000x620.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tour-burnt-house-800x496.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tour-burnt-house-400x248.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tour-burnt-house.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A wine tour at Burnt House Vineyard on a sunny day! </figcaption></figure>



Cat gave us just the right amount of facts to amaze and keep us interested without going into too much detail and losing anyone with too many complicated terms. Instead you get to hear about the grape varieties planted, why they were chosen, the different stages of growth and production, the cool tech they have fitted to protect this fragile fruit from frost, how they harvest the vines and other fascinating facts.



Just when I was starting to salivate and dream about tasting the wine Cat took us back inside so we could actually try the fruits of her labours&#8230;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wine-tasting">THE WINE TASTING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="940" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/restaurant-burtn-house-vineyard-940x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41301" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/restaurant-burtn-house-vineyard-940x1000.jpg 940w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/restaurant-burtn-house-vineyard-752x800.jpg 752w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/restaurant-burtn-house-vineyard-376x400.jpg 376w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/restaurant-burtn-house-vineyard-1444x1536.jpg 1444w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/restaurant-burtn-house-vineyard-1925x2048.jpg 1925w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></figure>



Inside, the visitor centre is all Scandi chic and smart with huge windows overlooking the vines, minimalist mis-matched furniture and a lovely looking outdoor terrace, where the team host foodie events with other local suppliers. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="803" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tasting-burnt-house-1000x803.jpg" alt="glasses of wine set up for a wine tasting at Burnt House vineyard Suffolk" class="wp-image-41303" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tasting-burnt-house-1000x803.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tasting-burnt-house-800x642.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tasting-burnt-house-400x321.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/wine-tasting-burnt-house.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



We sat down and were served three wines – the Bacchus, the Pinot Meunier and the Chardonnay – on a special mat that had the information about each sip and designated spaces so we could remember which wine was which! Cat guided us through how to smell and taste the wines like a pro and it was fascinating to feel how the wines changed and got more complex as the tasting went on. 



The Bacchus is a wonderful summer wine with elderflower aromas and notes of green apple, lemon and even basil. It would go perfectly with fish and salad (look at me, quite the sommelier after one wine tasting!). I decided this was definitely my favourite and nothing to come would beat it&#8230;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="803" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/muddy-editor-at-wine-tasting-1000x803.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41313" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/muddy-editor-at-wine-tasting-1000x803.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/muddy-editor-at-wine-tasting-800x642.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/muddy-editor-at-wine-tasting-400x321.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/muddy-editor-at-wine-tasting.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



We then moved on to the Pinot Menuier Rosé, which is a grape traditionally only for making red wines, but used here to excellent effect for a fruity rosé. Immediately this became my favourite with its clear raspberry and wild strawberry flavours. I could imagine it going down very nicely on a hot summer&#8217;s evening on its own or at a meal with seafood or even a summer dessert. 



Finally, it was on to the Chardonnay. Like anyone born in the 90s I was immediately suspicious and wrote it off as the wine I don&#8217;t like. However, Cat told us the story of why Chardonnay has such a bad reputation and confirmed that this wasn&#8217;t an oaked version. So I went straight in with gusto and realised that chardonnay is in fact delicious&#8230; as long as it&#8217;s not over-oaked! 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1385" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/charcuterie-board-burnt-house-vineyard.jpg" alt="close up of charcuterie board at a wine tasting with bread, olives and meat" class="wp-image-41314" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/charcuterie-board-burnt-house-vineyard.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/charcuterie-board-burnt-house-vineyard-800x739.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/charcuterie-board-burnt-house-vineyard-1000x923.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/charcuterie-board-burnt-house-vineyard-400x369.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Once the wine tasting was over we stayed on for a lunch of cooked meats, cheese, chutney and bread &#8211; the perfect accompaniment to the wines and a truly delicious meal. At this point you can choose your favourite wine and have it as a full glass alongside your meal. There&#8217;s also coffee and cake for afters if you&#8217;ve got a sweet tooth. 



As the sun finally peeped out of the grey clouds I really felt like I could have been in France, but this was even better – I was in glorious Suffolk enjoying the beginning of a new and rather heavenly wine-making revolution for the county. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/burnt-house-inside-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41311" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/burnt-house-inside-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/burnt-house-inside-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/burnt-house-inside-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/08/burnt-house-inside.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Good for:&nbsp;Wine lovers, foodies, and anyone who&#8217;s fancies an interesting couple of hours in a sublime Suffolk spot. It would be great for a girly get together, chic date or a work social. 



Not for: Non-drinkers (obvs!). Plus, the vineyard is only reachable by car, so you need a designated driver or taxi if you&#8217;re going to make the most of the wine tasting and tour experience. Maybe bribe them with the promise of a bottle of Burnt House wine to takeaway&#8230;



£££: Tours and tastings run from April &#8211; October, last 1 hr 30 mins and cost £25. <a href="https://www.burnthousevineyard.co.uk/service-page/tour-tasting">Book here</a>. You can also enjoy a <a href="https://www.burnthousevineyard.co.uk/service-page/picnic-in-the-vines-1">picnic in the vines</a> for £70 over the summer months or attend one of the fabulous foodie collabs. <a href="https://www.burnthousevineyard.co.uk/book-online">Find out more here.</a> 



You can buy the bottles on site or online. I took home a bottle of the Pinot Meunier Rosé which, after much tasting, turned out to be my favourite. 



<a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/burnt-house-vineyard-suffolk/">Burnt House Vineyard</a>, Bildeston Rd, Little Finborough, Stowmarket IP14 2LA

Review: Wine tasting and tour at Burnt House Vineyard, Suffolk

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