Summer is here (even if the weather doesn’t know it) and with that we’re on the lookout for the perfect tipple. If wine is your drink of choice, there’s nowhere better to source a bottle than a few miles from your door. Here are six vineyards across Yorkshire you can visit.
Yorkshire Heart Vineyard & Brewery
This family-run, award-winning vineyard and brewery is based near Nun Monkton village, between York and Harrogate. Cared for by the passionate team who produce wines and loved by those across Yorkshire and beyond, you’ll find more than 22,000 vines grown here.
From English red, white and rosé to varietal and sparkling wines, there’s plenty of choice. For a light bodied red with notes of red cherry and raspberry, we recommend the Pinot Noir. For a refreshing white, Latimer White Wine made with 100 percent solaris is our favourite.
Little Wold Vineyard
Established in 2012 by the Wilson family (who had been farming in the area since 1947) Little Wold Vineyard has expanded and now grows more than 30,000 vines. The south-facing, chalk hillside is the perfect condition to grow grapes, particularly the five different white grape and two red grape varieties produced here.
For an elegant summer rosé, try Poppy Hill, a still, dry wine made from the Rondo grape variety. If sparkling is more to your liking, Tom’s Cuvée is a delicious award-winning white sparkling wine made using the traditional double fermentation method and with Seyval and Madeleine Angevine grapes.
Visiting the vineyard? Take a taste tour and learn all about the farm’s history, whilst sampling the award-winning wines. Don’t forget to stop by the Cellar Door shop to purchase a bottle or two to enjoy at home.
Dunesforde
Nestled in the Vale of York, this four-acre vineyard was established by the Townsend family where the family began planting in Upper Dunsforth in 2016. Inspired by the vineyards in Tuscany and the local Roman heritage, the land is home to four grape varieties including Bacchus, Solaris, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir Précoce.
Now creating award-winning wines as well as hosting events, the team at Dunesforde run popular tours and tastings, and have their very own wine bar and terrace. Our favourite is the Dunesforde Still Bacchus which has elderflower and gooseberry notes – it’s the perfect summer aperitif.
Ryedale Vineyards
One of the most northerly commercial vineyards in the UK, Ryedale Vineyards is a family-run business found at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds. Priced at just £18 per person, the vineyard walks include a guide from one of the team’s winemakers alongside tastings paired with local cheese.
The Dalesman is a superb award-winning sparkling wine (perfectly paired with smoked salmon) or try Yorkshire Lass white wine made with a blend of Bacchus, Ortega and pink Siegerebbe grapes. Red more to your palate? Ryedale’s Stickland Red has fruity cherry and berry flavours and is grown on the Strickland Estate in the Yorkshire Wolds then bottled by hand.
Laurel Vines
Following the family’s first planting back in 2010, Laurel Vines have expanded to more than 15,000 vines producing high-quality wines which have sustainability at their heart. The aim is to develop all their wines whilst becoming carbon neutral by 2025.
With more than 10 acres of vines, more than 30,000 bottles sold, and more than 54 distinct wines produced, why not visit the vineyard to sample the wine in the Wine Bar, or take a vineyard picnic? If you’re just looking for the perfect glass, the medium-dry Ortega white wine is our pick.
Holmfirth Vineyard
Get up close in the colourful history of Holmfirth Vineyard and learn how the team of growers produce their award-winning English wines on a tour and tasting session. Discover the hybrid grape varieties which thrive in the Holme Valley before quenching your thirst in the winery by sampling the selection of wines guided by the experts.
