Richard Morris bought the now Ancre Hill estate in Monmouth for his retirement By Katherine Lawton Published: 16:20 EDT, 20 October 2024 | Updated: 21:20 EDT, 20 October 2024
A man who bought a dilapidated house and a piece of land has transformed the site into a £3.4million fortune. Richard Morris and his wife Joy kicked off their long retirement by going travelling to the world’s best vineyards but returned to the UK after growing bored of their adventure. Once back in the UK, Mr Morris bought the now Ancre Hill estate in Monmouth, which was made up of a crumbling house and some fields. Now, the site contains three vineyards across 22 acres and a winery which produces about 30,000 bottles a year. Additionally, the site also includes an impressive refurbished farmhouse at the neighbouring Newton Court Farm. Retired Richard Morris (pictured) on the £3.4million site in Monmouth The site contains three vineyards across 22 acres and a winery which produces about 30,000 bottles a year The site is on the market for £3.4million, with a range of farm buildings also for sale. Speaking about his plans to travel before buying the site, Mr Morris told WalesOnline: ‘I soon got bored. ‘I felt it was too early to call it a day. We bought the main house up here and I had these huge empty fields looking at me.’ He added: ‘It’s been fantastic. Instead of being stuck behind a desk all day or sitting in a car all day, I’m out in the fresh air in the vineyard or I’m in the winery. But I can’t go on forever.’ The winery is now one of the most sustainable in the world, with an insulated sedum grass roof and a reed-bed system for naturally getting rid of effluent. Across the vineyards, Mr and Mrs Morris plant noir, chardonnay and albarino, among others Since 2006, Mr Morris has been building the business. ‘When we bought Newton Court Farm the farmhouse was basically falling down. We’ve spent a lot of money renovating it,’ he said. Across the vineyards, Mr and Mrs Morris plant noir, chardonnay and albarino, among others. Ancre Hill has become known for its orange wine, which is created by extending contact with grape skins to give a citric taste. Mr Morris said: ‘We’ve put 20 years of our life into making these top wines which are totally clean, and we’re making them in an environment where bees, insects and birdlife can flourish.’
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I snapped up a crumbling home that sat on a sprawling piece of land and transformed it into a £3.4million fortune