Made in Essex: How Tuffon Hall Turned a Family Farm into an Award-Winning Vineyard Destination
From a beachside bottle of wine in Tasmania to a thriving vineyard in the heart of Essex, Tuffon Hall is a story of reinvention.
What started as a bold diversification move has grown into one of Essex’s most loved vineyards, producing thousands of bottles each year and creating unforgettable experiences for wine lovers across the UK.
In this episode of Made in Essex, Jill Willis sits down with Pod Crowther, one half of the couple behind Tuffon Hall Vineyard, to explore how she and her husband Angus took the fourth-generation Crowther family farm and transformed it into a wine tourism destination. From back-breaking harvests and award-winning wines to jazz nights in the vines and luxury glamping, it’s a rich conversation about passion, perseverance and pivoting.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation here.
From Spark to Vineyard
The Tuffon Hall story began with a spark of inspiration and a taste for adventure. After a life-changing trip to Tasmania, Pod and Angus Crowther decided to plant vines on Angus’ family’s 100-year-old arable farm in Sible Hedingham. Fast forward 20 years, and the vineyard now boasts 21,000 vines producing around 15,000 bottles annually, including still wines, sparkling wines, and a limited-edition Pinot Gris.
But the vision didn’t stop at the wine.
“We always knew diversification was key,” Pod says. “Wine was just the start. From day one, we built the business around experiences, events and community.”
Pod Crowther Tuffon Hall Vineyard
Diversifying with Gusto
Tuffon Hall’s growth has been fuelled by innovation and connection. Alongside their award-winning wines, now stocked by Waitrose and featured at events, Pod and Angus have created something far bigger than a vineyard.
Think vineyard tours, tastings, glamping in converted grain silos and weddings with bespoke wine pairings. They host around 30 events each year, from Jazz in the Vines to alpine-themed DJ nights.
When Covid hit, they adapted quickly. The vineyard pivoted from trade to direct-to-consumer with a Friday barn pick-up loyalty club and virtual tastings.
“The vines don’t stop growing,” Pod laughs. “So, we didn’t stop selling.”
Leading with Authenticity
At the heart of the business is a powerful partnership. With backgrounds in advertising, Pod and Angus brought creativity and commercial savvy to the farm, blending it with the authenticity of rural life.
“We know our couples by name,” Pod explains. “It’s not just about wine. It’s about making people feel part of the Tuffon Hall story.”
That philosophy runs through everything they do. From naming their wines after their daughters to welcoming 350 locals for family-friendly events, they’ve built more than a brand. They’ve built a community.
Lessons from the Land
Pod is open about the challenges, from unpredictable weather to managing a business with your other half. But it’s clear that resilience, flexibility and a genuine love for what they do keep the business moving forward.
“People imagine vineyard life as romantic,” she says. “And it is, sometimes. But mostly, it’s hard work. Grapes don’t pick themselves.”
It’s that blend of passion and pragmatism that makes this episode a must-listen for any entrepreneur considering a leap or a pivot.
Pod Crowther was talking to Jill Willis, Director of Attract & Engage and host of the Made in Essex Podcast.
🎧 Catch the full episode here or listen wherever you get your podcasts.👇
Keep your eyes peeled for more episodes as Jill invites the county’s most tenacious and successful business leaders to lift the bonnet on their entrepreneurial stories.
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