Vineyards in West Berkshire
Vineyards, wine tasting and tours in West Berkshire. Global warming meant that vines could now be successfully grown locally and there are small vineyards appearing across our West Berkshire region. Many are sustainable and use eco friendly methods. English sparkling white wine can rival any French Champagne.
Is it time we changed our minds and became better educated in the award winning wines grown in and around our area?
All Angels Vineyard, Emborne, Nr Newbury
In 2010 a tentative approach was made to Vine Works. The survey of the land came as a pleasant surprise: great land and soil, great altitude and a perfect south facing slope. So work began.
The vines were chosen to be blended for the finest English sparkling wine. Rondo – an early crop, core to the production of sparkling Rosé – Pinot Gris and those classic sparkling wine grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The first vineyard to be planted was 2.6 hectares and was followed a few years later by a smaller, 0.5 hectare parcel.
There are Vineyard Tours by invitation.
Winding Wood Vineyard, Hungerford
It all started 9 years ago. One summer’s evening we were on the front lawn sipping sun downers and gazing out at our sheep as they contentedly nibbled grass in one of our paddocks when Robert made the famous throwaway remark: instead of grazing these sheep perhaps it would be more rewarding to plant a vineyard.
Roll on 9 years we have releasing three vintages of Winding Wood Sparkling with three more in the pipeline. Our second release — the 2016 classic cuvée — won a clutch of medals including a gold from WineGB — our wine equivalent of the Baftas!
Alder Ridge Vineyard, Hungerford
This vineyard can be found on the borders of West Berkshire between Hungerford and Marlborough, nestled into the chalky slopes of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“Running an English vineyard has brought about immense enjoyment, as well as its challenges. One thing is for certain, and that is the future for English wine, which looks extremely positive!”
Bothy Vineyard, Abingdon
The philosophy at Bothy Vineyard is to produce the highest quality wines from grapes cultivated in as environmentally-friendly a way as possible. They continue an ancient tradition of wine making. The local micro-climate, warm sandy soils, long ripening season and mature vines produce wines of consistent depth and quality which have won many awards.
Hendred Vineyard
Hendred Vineyard is on the sloping ground to the west of the village of East Hendred, one of the spring line villages in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, England. Over the years, award-winning still and sparkling wines have been produced from grapes grown here.
You are warmly welcome to come and taste the new wines – Hendred Spring, the new white wine and the latest vintage of Hendred Brut, along with the other Hendred wines. Take a stroll amongst the vines yourself if you like, or email (info@hendredvineyard.co.uk) to book a limited number of brief guided walk-arounds on opening afternoons. No charge for tastings/tours on opening days and no obligation to buy.
Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery | Henley -on- Thames
Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Old Luxters is home to ‘Chiltern Valley Wines’, its Vineyard, Winery, Old Luxters Brewery, Liqueur making facilities and cellar shop. Our first vines were planted in 1982 on the slopes of the Chiltern Hills, surrounded by beech woodland and overlooking the beautiful Hambleden Valley near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK. Old Luxters to this day is still owned and run by the Ealand family.The 2 hour ‘behind the scenes’ Tour & Tasting experience around their Winery, Brewery and Liqueur production facilities demonstrates a fun and extensive learning experience. Within your 2 hour visit the tour is completed with a tutored tasting of a wide selection of our Wines, Ales & Liqueurs. If you are remotely interested in quality Wines, Ales or Liqueurs then they highly recommend a visit and better still a Tour and Tasting.
Stanlake Park Wine Estate, Twyford
Since 1979 Stanlake Park Wine Estate has developed some of the highest quality vineyards in Berkshire, and uses grapes from these properties to produce a wide range of English wines, including white, rosé, red and traditional method sparkling wine.
Nico Centonze, Stanlake Park’s skilful Italian winemaker, personally follows the progress of each wine, carefully tasting, blending and selecting which wines to bottle or to mature. The whole wine making process, from vine to bottle, is meticulously overseen and guaranteed.
Stanlake Park Vineyard & Wine Tasting Tours
Their wine tours are designed to be friendly, informal and fun! No prior knowledge is required as our experienced guide will lead you through the ups and downs of English wine-making, accompanied by some generous samples of our very best award-winning wines.
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