Nestled in the undulating countryside of Hertfordshire, hidden amongst exquisite heritage architecture, prominently stands an international treasure. Renowned for premium thoroughbreds and its picturesque setting, Newsells Park is extending its expertise into a new market, one that equally matches its prestige and superiority.
The rolling emerald hills, long shared by foals and grazing horses, now tell an even richer story.
Alongside the thoroughbreds, neat lines of leafy vines stretch across the landscape, a new layer to the Park’s heritage. Together they form a striking picture of harmony, where tradition and innovation coexist..
Established 100-years ago and now covering an incredible 1,200 acres of soft rolling pasture, Newsells Park Stud has an outstanding reputation for breeding, raising and selling thoroughbreds.
The Park changed hands in 2021 and has since been under the care of the Smith-Bernal family, beginning a new chapter combining the breeding and raising of top-class racehorses with another of Smith-Bernal’s passions.
Described as a “cross-pollination” of two worlds, Owner and Director, Graham Smith-Bernal, has worked incredibly hard to bring his vision to life. A vision where thoroughbreds and fine wine intertwine, a complementary pairing – and it is now a reality.
Spring of 2022 was the year of plan and action, by planting 45,000 vines across a vast 175-acres. The next 3-years were dedicated to growth and nurture, where nature’s stillness met with quiet anticipation.
In September 2025, the time had come for the first harvest at Newsells Park. A historical event that celebrated locally crafted excellence and refined mastery. This harvest was a milestone moment after years of patience, nurture, and belief.
An outstanding offering of 37 tonnes of bejewelled Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay berries were harvested by participants and the STONES team were there to be part of the celebration.
Members of the Wine Club, enthusiasts, and community gathered side by side to pluck, pull, and pick the berries into containers, marking a milestone moment in Newsells’ story. The vines glistened in the autumn sunshine, as did the popping bottles and full glasses raised by the smiling, sun-warmed volunteers. A true celebration of craft, community, and connection.
We caught up with Graham, whose love of wine has grown quietly over the years, beginning simply as a personal passion. As he described the journey, it was impossible not to be drawn in by his enthusiasm, the way he speaks about the vines, the grapes, and the delicate balance of growing conditions.
There’s a real sense of pride in what’s being created here, but also a feeling of community and shared excitement that runs through every part of the project.
“I see life and businesses as a bit of a voyage, and you’ve got to be brave enough to take it on”. With courage comes reward, of which Graham has achieved multiple times with several successful business ventures. The winery is the next challenge, to match the calibre of their breeding success, he explained “We are the first breeder of racehorses in Europe who have the aspirations to make the same quality of wine that we achieve in the breeding of horses”.
The Newsells wine won’t be something you’ll find lining supermarket shelves and that’s entirely by design. The wine has been crafted for those who appreciate the story behind every bottle. Becoming part of the Newsells Wine Club isn’t just about receiving a case of exceptional English sparkling wine each year, it’s about joining a community. Members are invited to share in the journey from vineyard to glass, celebrating the craft, care, and connection that define every step of the process.
Each annual membership includes 12 exquisite bottles of Newsells’ sparkling wine, alongside access to limited-edition vintages, behind-the scenes experiences, and exclusive events hosted within the stunning grounds of the estate.
As part of this, members also enjoy a special partnership with the Fox & Hounds in Barley, where Newsells wines are perfectly paired with locally sourced dishes, the ultimate expression of Hertfordshire’s homegrown excellence.
After years of vision, patience, and passion, the wait is nearly over, the very first bottle from the inaugural Newsells harvest will be ready to uncork and enjoy from 2028.
Become a part of the Newsells Park Winery story, following along as Newsells grow from first harvest, to first pour, and sign up to the exclusive Wine Club Membership.
To find out more: www.newsellsparkwinery.com/membership/
