Discover Award-Winning English Wine in the Heart of the Cotswolds
As English Wine Week returns on 20 June 2026, the Cotswolds offer the perfect place to discover English wine. Nestled in the South Cotswolds, Woodchester Valley Vineyard showcases award-winning still and sparkling wines. Visitors can enjoy tours, tastings and special events throughout the English Wine Week celebrations.
Set within the rolling Stroud valleys, the family-owned vineyard has become one of England’s most respected wine producers. English Wine Week provides the perfect opportunity to experience first-hand how English wine is now competing with some of the world’s most established wine-producing regions.
The Cotswolds’ Largest Vineyard
Spanning 56 acres across three vineyard sites, Woodchester Valley is the largest vineyard in the Cotswolds and the region’s most established vineyard with its own onsite winery.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the estate combines breathtaking scenery with a rich local heritage. The area has a long association with viticulture, with a nearby vineyard recorded in the Domesday Book. One of Woodchester Valley’s wines is even named after a famous Roman mosaic discovered nearby.
Today, visitors from across the UK and around the world travel to the vineyard to experience its wines and explore the landscape that shapes them.
Exploring the Vineyard’s Diverse Wines
Woodchester Valley cultivates an impressive range of grape varieties, producing a portfolio that reflects the unique terroir of the Cotswolds.
Among the varieties grown are Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Regent, Seyval, Siegerrebe, Solaris, Sauvignon Blanc and Ortega. Together, these grapes create a collection of white, rosé, red and sparkling wines that continue to win acclaim.
The vineyard’s signature Bacchus remains a particular favourite, celebrated for its aromatic profile and distinctive English character.
Tours, Tastings and Food Pairings
Visitors can choose from a range of experiences designed to suit both newcomers and seasoned wine enthusiasts.
The Classic Tour and Tasting offers an accessible introduction to the vineyard, winery and wines. Guests are guided through the winemaking process before enjoying a tasting of selected wines. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Premium Tour explores a broader selection of wines. At the same time, placing greater emphasis on food-and-wine pairing.
Selected experiences can be enhanced with locally sourced lunch hampers, carefully curated to complement the wines. On selected Fridays, guests can also enjoy the popular Fizz n’ Chips experience, pairing sparkling wine with freshly prepared fish and chips. Every experience is designed to be informative, relaxed and engaging. This allows visitors to enjoy the wines while taking in the spectacular Cotswold surroundings.
Special Events for English Wine Week
Woodchester Valley has planned a series of special events celebrating the relationship between wine and food.
On 22 June, the vineyard will partner with Oyster Buoys for an evening dedicated to one of the classic pairings in gastronomy: sparkling wine and oysters.
The celebrations continue on Sunday 28 June with a wine and pizza pairing event, showcasing the versatility of English wines alongside artisan pizzas.
From Experimental Planting to Award-Winning Estate
The story of Woodchester Valley began in 2007 when Fiona and Niall Shiner planted vines as an experiment to test whether the local climate and landscape were suitable for wine production.
What started as a small-scale project has evolved into one of England’s most successful vineyards. Today, the business spans three vineyard sites across Woodchester, Stonehouse and Amberley, with 56 acres under vine and a diverse range of grape varieties under cultivation.
A major milestone came ahead of the 2016 harvest with the opening of the vineyard’s dedicated winery. The addition allowed the entire winemaking process to take place on-site and marked a significant step in the vineyard’s development.
Celebrating a Decade of Winemaking
This year marks ten years since Woodchester Valley established its winery and became a single-estate producer.
To celebrate the milestone, the vineyard is launching a special limited-edition release during English Wine Week: Bacchus Reserve.
Crafted from some of the estate’s oldest vines, the wine offers a fresh interpretation of the vineyard’s signature grape variety. Fifty per cent has been fermented in oak and fifty per cent in stainless steel, creating additional complexity while retaining the vibrant character that Bacchus is known for.
The release reflects both the vineyard’s heritage and its continued commitment to innovation.
A Destination Worth Discovering
With its award-winning wines, immersive visitor experiences and spectacular setting, Woodchester Valley Vineyard has become one of the most exciting destinations in English wine tourism.
Often compared to the charm of France’s Loire Valley, the estate offers visitors a chance to experience world-class wines without leaving the UK. Yet despite its growing reputation, Woodchester Valley remains firmly rooted in the landscape, history and character of the Cotswolds.
As English Wine Week shines a spotlight on the nation’s thriving wine industry, there has never been a better time to discover what makes this remarkable vineyard so special.
woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk
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