A historic English vineyard has been placed on the market following the passing of its founder.
Breaky Bottom, situated close to Rodmell in the South Downs region south of Lewes, is being offered for sale for the first time with an asking price of four million pounds.
Peter Hall established the estate in 1974, subsequently emerging as one of the defining figures in the rise of English winemaking.
He passed away on the second of October last year at the age of eighty-two, having dedicated more than half a century to viticulture at the remote property.
The holdings encompass roughly fifteen acres of land, of which approximately six acres are planted with vines.
The sale includes the farmhouse, winemaking facilities and various outbuildings used for agricultural purposes and storage.
An archive of bottled wines produced between 2009 and 2025 forms part of the inventory.
Knight Frank is managing the sale.
In 1969, Mr Hall and his then-wife Diana Robinson assumed the tenancy of the farm, which had previously operated as a thirty-acre mixed agricultural holding.
His entry into winemaking came three years later, sparked by an incidental visit to a garden centre where he encountered literature on grape cultivation.
The initial vineyard planting occurred in 1974, with varieties including Müller-Thurgau, Richtensteiner and Seyval Blanc.
At that period, recorded vineyards in Britain numbered merely seven.
The inaugural vintage was harvested in 1976.
Financial constraints at the time meant grapes were initially crushed in a bucket using a broomstick, pressed manually and fermented within oak barrels.
The estate’s sparkling productions have featured at several landmark gatherings.
These included the coronation ceremony of King Charles III, festivities marking Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and the Olympic Games held in London in 2012.
Industry commentators have recognised Mr Hall’s contribution to the sector.
Wine writer Dominic Buckwell characterised him as among the most significant British winemakers in history.
Andrew Jefford described him as England’s emblematic and authentic vineyard practitioner and the founding figure of the modern English wine industry.
Following his father’s death, Toby Hall, the youngest son, has overseen operations at the estate.
He explained that the intention had been to maintain the distinctive character his father had developed, but various practical factors had led to the difficult decision to offer the property for sale.
He expressed pride in his father’s role as a trailblazer and expressed hope that the legacy would continue to motivate future winemakers.