However, it didn't have to travel far, because this year's awards were judged at the winery's very own new visitor centre and the team of judges said they were very impressed by the new winery, which is tucked into rolling hills between Torbay and the River Dart.
Winemakers from the famous Sharpham Estate completed their move across the Dart to the new state-of-the-art winery at Sandridge Barton last year and this is the first major award to be won by the team since the 40-year-old Sharpham Wine brand was relocated.
“It was a real pleasure to welcome the prestigious team of judges to our new winery and to be able to offer them hospitality at our amasing restaurant which is already earning wonderful plaudits for its food and service,” commented Duncan Schwab, CEO and Head Winemaker of Sandridge Barton.
More than 100 wines were judged on the day - both sparkling and still - and samples from all over the region included white, rosé, red, oaked, and non-oaked and both dry and medium wines.
“Without a doubt, it gave us a real buzz for us to win the much-sought-after Committee Cup for our Dart Valley Reserve 2021 - we feel very honoured that the judges named this the best dry white wine in this large South West region,” said Duncan. “Creating an award-winning wine is a real team effort - from growing and tending the vines, through to processing the grapes into wine.
“The team has done fantastically well to gain this accolade,” he added. “The really exciting thing for us is that it gives us the opportunity to invite the wider public to come and sample this wonderful wine at our new home just outside Stoke Gabriel.
“We're very proud of our new winery and visitor centre, with its fabulous restaurant run by the Circa team. It's well known that they moved here from a highly respected and much-loved venue in Exeter.
"For many of our visitors this year, it has been a culinary treat to see these talented chefs representing the Devon countryside by creating amazing dishes from local ingredients. One example of this is our highly popular Sunday roasts, which feature the delicious South Devon beef raised on the wider Sandridge Barton estate, close to the vineyards.”
Duncan concluded: “In fact, we are so proud of our new centre and all that it offers, we have created a 'Winter Wine Bar' at Sandridge Barton which is serving mulled wine and mince pies daily - and that, of course, is alongside our usual tours, tastings and walks that we offer.”
Panel Chair for the WineGB West Awards was Westcountry-based consultant sommelier Rebecca Mitchell, who commented: “Sandridge Barton was a wonderful setting for this year's competition and the team looked after us brilliantly and efficiently. We were treated to delicious, locally sourced food by Circa, their on-site restaurant. I speak on behalf of all the judges in saying how impressed we were by the overall very high standard of wine creativity on display for us to judge.
"We tasted over 100 wines in 8 different categories and the Dart Valley Reserve 2021 really stood out from the crowd in the Dry Unoaked White category. It had balance, poise and great depth of flavour with delicious crisp freshness. I shall certainly be returning to Sandridge Barton again soon to enjoy the wonderful setting nestled in the rolling South Hams near Stoke Gabriel. Their new state-of-the-art winery was the envy of many producers on Members Day and sets a very high benchmark indeed for the region's wine industry and I urge your readers to visit soon.”
Catch it while you can… The Sandridge Barton winery and visitor centre will be open until the end of December but will be closed during January - reopening towards the end of February 2023.
In 2023, visitors can expect the launch of the winery's new 'Vine to Wine' tours, which will cover the whole winemaking process from grape to bottle, as well as new wines to come from this year's bumper harvest.
Bookings for Sandridge Barton's three self-catering properties are open for 2023. The 12-person Sandridge Barton House is perfect for larger groups, the secluded four-person Boathouse is ideal for rural retreats, and the newly-renovated six-person Lower Well Farmhouse is available for those who want to be close to the action.
To find out more please visit sandridgebarton.com and to stay up to date 'like' or 'follow' Sandridge Barton Wines on Facebook, 'follow' @sandridge_barton on Instagram and @SharphamWines on Twitter.
