A Dorset-born winemaker who grew up in the Bride Valley has founded a new winery.

Panu Long was raised in Litton Cheney, went to Colfox School and has family in Bridport.

Building on his 26 years of experience in the London drinks industry, this month he has opened Thornfalcon Winery & Press with his wife, Sophie.

Rooted in nature and sustainability, craftsmanship and creativity, Thornfalcon brings together vineyards, restored cider orchards, wildflower meadows, organic gardens, a swimming lake with wild spa, and beautiful cabins.

The vineyard, press and farm stay nestles in 40 acres, tucked away between Taunton and Ilminster.

The Winemaker Behind Thornfalcon

Panu used lockdown to study his craft at Plumpton College, the centre for wine education near Lewes.

Now, as the winemaker and vineyard manager, he’s focused on viticulture and winemaking while studying for a diploma in wine.

“I’d been following English wine for quite some time,” explains Panu. “I tried the wines from Langham Wine Estate just outside Dorchester.

“I thought they were stunning, and then I got very interested in thinking we can actually make brilliant wine here in the south west.”

Sophie, who is Thornfalcon’s managing director, adds: “Panu is brilliant at trying to understand why things taste the way they do, the art of flavour.

“He knew he wanted to pursue how art and science come together in this process, this sort of alchemy.”

Thornfalcon’s first bottled range includes an English sparkling wine, a rosé and two bottle-conditioned ciders, made from cider apples on an orchard already established on the estate, with Kingston Black as the main crop, as well as Browns, Stembridge Cluster and Porter’s Perfection.

A second range is now being bottled, with the cider and rosé expected to be ready by Christmas.

The vineyard’s well-draining, loamy clay soil is planted with champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier, and another acre with hybrids including Solaris, Voltis, Cabernet Noir and Seyval Blanc.

Unusually for a small vineyard, Panu and Sophie have built their own winery rather than sending grapes elsewhere to be pressed.

“There’s something about that connection with nature,” says Sophie. “Every single year our apples and our grapes are going to be a little bit different depending on the weather and the growing conditions, and we want our drinks to reflect that.”

At the heart of the site is Thornfalcon’s magnificent 18th century Red Barn, which the couple have restored into an epic, atmospheric space for events and experiences, including vineyard tours and wine tastings.

A wine school will open early next year and there are also plans for private dining, and corporate and client hospitality and experiences.

The Red Barn sets the stage for the farm-to-fork Supper Club series – intimate, five-course eating experiences curated by acclaimed chef Ross Stacey of The River Café.

These celebrate the very best of Somerset’s seasons, partner farms and growers, paired with Thornfalcon’s organic produce, wines and ciders.

Supper Clubs are £65 per person, with optional wine pairing at £20, and take place on October 24 and November 28.

Wellness and fitness also play a huge role in the Thornfalcon philosophy. The old stable block has been converted into a Pilates Reformer studio and personal training gym run with Helen Rose of Helfit.

The Wild Spa is a wood-fired, off-grid chemical-free sauna and hot tub on the shores of their two-acre wildlife lake open for wild swimming.

As Panu’s mother is from Finland, he’s immersed in traditional sauna culture.

“If you’ve got a lake, you kind of need to put a sauna next to it,” he laughs. “It is magical to swim in the lake in summer or have a cold plunge in icy winter waters after a lovely session in the sauna.”

Retreats at Thornfalcon are designed to help guests slow down, reconnect with nature and find space for creativity.

A writer’s retreat is planned for this month, followed by wine and wellness days later in the autumn, and a fuller programme due to launch in 2027.

Guests can already stay at Thornfalcon in three beautifully designed cabins and retreats – Coach House, Vine Hut and Lambing Shed – which opened just over a year ago.

They can even meet the resident chickens, swans and doves!

“It has been a brilliant first year,” said Sophie. “Thornfalcon comes alive where nature and creativity meet, and we are delighted to be expanding Thornfalcon’s offer with our first drinks range, and an exciting new programme of retreats, wellness, experiences and events that celebrate wine, cider, great food, local produce and our beautiful Somerset landscape.

“These are born from our love of flavour, craftsmanship and the land, and we’re hugely excited to be working with such a fantastic line up of chefs, producers, creatives and experts as we evolve.”

Booking details: To book to stay at Thornfalcon: email stay@thornfalcon.com. For supper club, retreat, wine school booking and general enquiries: hello@thornfalcon.com