Vineyards across Wales will be throwing open their doors to visitors and popping a cork or two to celebrate Welsh Wine Week (May 28-June 5).
Although a relative newcomer to wine production, Wales’ viticulture industry is growing in size and gaining respect and acclaim from the wine world.
There are now more than 20 vineyards in Wales producing around 100,000 bottles of wine each year. The majority is white, but red and rose wines are on the increase as well as sparkling white varieties made by the Champagne method.
Recently, two of Wales’ oldest vineyards, Parva Farm and Llanerch, which planted their first vines in the late 1970s, have been singled out for praise.
In 2004 Monmouthshire’s Parva Farm Vineyard won a silver award and the title of Best in Class at the English and Welsh Wine of the Year Competition with its Tintern Parva Pinot Noir 2002 Rose. While a wine from Llanerch Vineyard in the Vale of Glamorgan is to be served in Brussels during the UK’s presidency of the European Union.
Meanwhile, wine is due to go on sale soon from two of the newest Welsh vineyards. Penarth based Bryn Ceilog Vineyard hopes to have its wine ready for sale later this year. If the harvest lives up to expectation, Wernddu Vineyard at Pen-y-Clawdd near Raglan, hopes to have its own organic wine on sale next summer.
Promoting interest in Welsh wine-making and the local area, four Monmouthshire vineyards have got together with Adventa to produce their own guide ‘Vine to Wine’. Available from Tourist Information Centres, libraries and vineyards, the guide includes details of the vineyards and other places of interest nearby with maps to help the visitor.
During Welsh Wine Week a number of vineyards across Wales will be open to the public and holding special events:
Gwinllan Padig, Cemaes, Anglesey.
Contact: Tom Barlow 01407 710416
Open 12 to 6pm every day for vineyard tours and to see the winery with wine tastings in the shop and a cup of coffee in the cafe.
Worthenbury Wines, Wrexham.
Contact: Martin Seed 01948 770257
Open from Wednesday May 25 to Sunday June 5, to see the vines growing in the poly tunnels and sample the Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay white wine and red Pinot Noir.
Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Pendoylan, Vale of Glamorgan.
Contact: Peter Andrews 01443 225877
The shop is open every day 10am to 4pm to sample the wines including one chosen to go to Brussels for the UK Presidency of the EU. Vineyard tours.
Glyndwr Vineyard, Llanblethian, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.
Contact: Richard Norris 01446 774564
From Tuesday May 31 to Sunday June 5, 11am to 5pm you may visit the
vineyard for a tour and try and buy rose, white and sparkling wines.
Gelynis Vineyard, Morganstown, Cardiff.
Contact: Roger Watt 02920 844440
There is an acre of vines on this fruit farm which produce white and sparkling wines for you to sample and buy when you visit. Open 11am to 5pm every day.
Sugar Loaf Vineyard, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.
Contact: Louise Ryan 01873 853066
Open bank holiday Monday, Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am - 5pm and Sundays 12 to 5pm for tours, wine tastings, wine sales and the coffee shop.
Monnow Valley Vineyard, Great Osbaston Farm, Monmouth.
Contact: Peter Baker 01600 716209
Special opening Saturday 28 to Monday 30 May from 10am to 4pm for sampling and purchasing white and sparkling wines. Other times by appointment.
Wernddu Vineyard, Pen-y-clawdd, Monmouth.
Contact: Leigh Strawford 01600 740104
This newly planted organic vineyard is opening Wednesday May 25 to Sunday June 5, 11am to 7pm for walks around the vineyard. Local arts and crafts are on sale with free wine tastings, including some organic wines in the new tasting room.
Parva Farm Vineyard, Tintern, Monmouthshire.
Contact: Judith Dudley 01291 689636.
Visit the vineyard for tours, wine tastings and sales 10.30am to 6.30pm every day. Also visit the art exhibition with works by local artists which are on display from May 28 to June 5.
Cwm Deri Vineyard, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire.
Contact: Michael Caine 01834 891274
The vineyard is open Monday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 12 to 5pm for vineyard tours, pets corner, the cafe and wine tastings of the different fruit wines and liqueurs they produce. The restaurant which must be booked in advance is open Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtime.
More details: Menna Evans, 01686 613175
