Longdown Vineyard is a family business started by Mark and Louise Papworth, alongside their daughter, Holly, and her husband, Luke.
Longdown was conceptually born in 2024 and incorporated in January 2025. During October 2024 the Twyford site was assessed and the results were very good. In the spring of 2025 soil samples were taken, varietals were considered and the decision to commit to the vineyard was finally made.
When first coming up with the idea, friends and family thought they were crazy. Mark and Louise were retired, Holly had qualified as a solicitor and Luke had his own welding business. And they were all really enjoying it... so why the leap into the unknown?
Mark
"There was no one overriding factor for me but after renovating the house and surviving covid I was definitely up for another project working with Louise. As we toyed with the idea other compelling factors became evident. It would provide an opportunity for the wider family to be involved, work together and create something of value. It could provide a legacy that could be passed from us to our children providing them with a different lifestyle should they choose it. It would provide an opportunity for us to learn new skills and keep active both physically and mentally. I love spending time at the Vineyards. Drinking the wine didn’t sway me at all."
Louise
"Mark and I love our wines and have thought about growing vines for several years. This is the first time we have had the right location for it to be a real possibility together with the support of the kids who want to be a part of it, plus the time and the money to actually do it. Mark and I have complementary skills and have both started other businesses in our careers but we always wanted to do something together. This was our chance. And – as I am getting older, I want to spend my time on things that bring me adventure, joy and laughter and leave something behind to show for it."
Holly
“My first love has always been science. I have enjoyed being a solicitor for the last 4 years, but when my parents decided to start up a vineyard, it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. I decided to retrain as a winemaker and go back to my science roots. I also loved the idea of starting up and running a business with my parents. They have extensive experience in business and I admire them greatly. Just for the record, I did get married in the vineyard at Twyford last year!"
Luke
"Having grown up in agriculture and having a love for the outdoors, when the opportunity presented itself to manage the vineyards within a family business I jumped to it! When I left farming to pursue my own start up, a mobile welding business, I felt like something was missing. I missed the closeness and harmony of working with nature and the environment. By becoming the Vineyard Manager I am once again closer to something that has always bought me joy.... and I still get to do some welding!"
Buzz
"Having had a good 5 years on the sofa, I felt this was my chance to chase rabbits and deer without being shouted at!"
Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly
Longdown Vineyard takes inspiration from the Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora metallica). Growing up to 55mm in length, they appear with a beautiful dark metallic emerald-green body and big apple-green eyes. They prefer to live on sheltered, standing or slow running water. Spotting one isn't easy and they are listed in Hampshire’s Biodiversity Action Plan as a priority species. We love the link to nature, the beauty and colour of the dragonfly and all this powerful little creature represents. Dragonflies are often used to represent growth and development with the ability to adapt to changes in life. A perfect fit for us at Longdown.
