English Wine Week – Go Local
As we know, now is the time to support local more than ever and that includes our fabulous English wines. So what better time than in the beautiful summer sunshine during English Wine Week which is running this week from Sat 20th – Sun 28th June.
There are now over 500 vineyards in Great Britain with over 200 open to visitors.
Here’s our round up of local vineyards and wine producers. Some already producing award winning still and sparkling wines, others just setting out on their journey.
Check to see if the vineyard is open for visitors and why not take a trip to find out a bit more about how the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside is now home to stunning, world class wines.
We’ve never met a producer who doesn’t want to talk about their vines and their wines! And if you want to find out more, look out for Oz Clarkes new book English Wine: From still to sparkling: The NEWEST New World Wine Country. If you fancy ordering a copy pop into Bell Book Shop in Bell Street.
Discover Henley’s Local Wines & Vineyards for English Wine Week
Fairmile Vineyard
On the outskirts of Henley lies the Failrmile Vineyard owned and run by local couple Jan and Anthea Mirkowski.
Fairmile Vineyard’s maiden vintage beat highly distinguished and long-established vineyards to be voted England’s only Outstanding sparkling white wine by Decanter wine and lifestyle magazine.
Oaken Grove Vineyard
Nestled in the Chiltern Hills and surrounded by ancient woodlands, Oaken Grove Vineyard is a family-run, boutique vineyard offering a range of awardaward-winning white and rosé wines. Established in 1986 and foothills of the Chilterns, the seven acres of Pinot Noir, Bacchus and Madeleine Angevine vines produce exceptional quality still and sparkling wines that are fresh, modern and packed with flavour.
Old Luxters Vineyard
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.
If you are remotely interested in quality Wines, Ales or Liqueurs then we highly recommend a visit and best of all a Tour and Tasting (please note that the tours do need to be pre-booked).
Devils Hill Vineyard
Devil’s Hill in Harpsden is a small non-commercial vineyard planting in early 2020. Built on a passion for good wine and all that England has to offer, the focus will be on creating a great bottle of English Sparkling Wine.
Neil & Bex are ‘Building the Dream’ with the aim to establish a small vineyard with the potential to produce excellent English Sparkling Wine (like Champagne, but nicer!)
Fawley Vineyard
This small vineyard is situated in the Chilterns at The Old Forge, Fawley near Henley on Thames. They grow Bacchus grapes for still and sparkling white wines, produced by the Stanlake Park Estate. The vineyard was planted in 1985 and continues to flourish.
Visitors are welcome. Kindly phone in advance on 01491 413071
Stanlake Park Wine Estate
Established in 1979, Stanlake Park is one of England’s oldest vineyards, and produces award-winning English Sparkling Wine, and a range of excellent white, rosé and red wines.
They offer public tours of the vineyard and winery throughout the year. Private tours for groups can also be arranged year-round.
They are open Wednesday to Sunday
Wyfold Vineyard
Wyfold is perhaps the most exclusive of England’s quality sparkling wines, praised by wine critics and in high demand from chefs and private enthusiasts.
The secret to Wyfold’s winning combination of richness and elegance starts in the vineyard – a “geological miracle” in South Oxfordshire – and is finished by four years of ageing before release.
It’s a regular on wine lists from Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir to Paul Clerehugh’s Crooked Billet
Brightwell Vineyard
Brightwell Vineyard in Wallingford produces award-winning, quality English wines which frequently win medals at National and International competitions.
Brightwell Vineyard grows seven grape varieties planted on the flinty chalk greensand and gravel of the Thames Valley, producing white, rosé, red and sparkling wines. Their Wine Shop is situated to the right of the driveway on entry through the wall into the estate. It is open for tasting and sales every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 – 18.00.
