Located in the North Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO-listed world heritage site that dates back to the 18th century, and welcomes more than one million visitors per year.

The setting of the estate reportedly offers ideal growing conditions for premium wine grapes, with cooler temperatures and dry soil that provide huge potential for cultivation. The number of UK wineries and vineyards has grown significantly over the past decade, with investments coming in from abroad such as Champagne Taittinger planting vines in Kent in late 2015, in partnership with Hatch Mansfield.

Around 150 acres of south-facing land on the 12,000-acre Blenheim Palace estate in Oxfordshire have been set aside for sparkling wine production. A rare opportunity in the thriving UK vineyard scene, especially considering that the average UK vineyard is around 10 acres.

Knight Frank has been appointed to lease the land on behalf of Blenheim Palace and is seeking a suitable partner to plant vineyards and produce wines bearing the Blenheim Palace name. There is also an opportunity to plant a show vineyard in the Palace’s walled gardens.

The land will reportedly be ready for planting in May 2026, beginning a 4-5-year process to establish vineyard operations under an expected 30-year term agreement.

Roy Cox, managing director of estates at Blenheim Palace, said: “In a world where we know the UK is growing exceptional wines on a global stage, this new partnership is a truly unique opportunity to combine 300 years of history at a World Heritage Site, to our land and in doing so create thriving businesses to support the local economy through new and existing outlets. We hope to find a partner who shares our purpose, values, and vision for this opportunity. It’s a chance to create a legacy at such a crucial time for UK rural businesses.”