Jeremy Clarkson has finally changed the rules at his pub, The Farmer's Dog in Asthall, Oxfordshire, and is now selling a previously banned drink: wine. Since opening in 2024, the former Top Gear presenter enforced strict rules allowing only products 'grown and reared' in Britain. This meant items like coffee, Coca-Cola, and Heinz ketchup were banned, and wine was notably absent from the menu for two years because Clarkson believed English wine wasn't good enough.
New Wine Range: Knollbury Fort
However, that has now changed with the launch of Knollbury Fort, the pub's own wine brand. A statement from the pub explained: 'There was a time when English wine was like a child’s recorder playing; you wanted to like it, but it wasn’t very good. Fortunately, that time has gone.' The brand aims to champion British farming and modern English winemaking.
Three Wines to Try
Launched over the bank holiday weekend at The Great British Farm-Fest, three new wines are available:
- Firelight Pinot Noir – uses grapes from Essex, priced at £28.95 per bottle.
- Midsummer Rosé – with grapes from Kent, priced at £22.95 per bottle.
- Arrowhead White – a blend of grapes from Kent, Essex, and Suffolk, priced at £21.95 per bottle.
A case containing all three bottles costs £69. They are available at the pub, the Diddly Squat farm shop, and online as single bottles or cases of six.
English Wine Industry Growth
The launch comes amid significant growth in UK wine production. According to the Food Standards Agency, English and Welsh wine production rose by 55% in 2025 compared to 2024, with over 16.5 million bottles produced. The UK wine industry is now valued at around £14 billion.
Mixed Reviews for The Farmer's Dog
Clarkson's pub has received mixed reviews online. Some customers have criticized high prices, calling them 'extortionate', and complained about long queues. One TikTok user compared arriving at the pub to 'arriving at Glastonbury', while others found the food 'very dry' and the vibe 'weird'. However, other visitors praised the pub's beauty and the quality of British ingredients, calling it a great experience.
The pub's own-brand wine joins a growing trend, with other establishments like The Charles Lamb in Islington offering their own labels. Clarkson's Farm on Prime Video has featured the pub, boosting its popularity despite the mixed feedback.
