Award-winning Cotswolds vineyard celebrates anniversary

Set high on the rolling hills of the South Cotswolds, Woodchester Valley Vineyard has quietly established itself as one of England’s most distinctive wine producers.

This year it marks a significant milestone, celebrating 10 years of being a single-estate vineyard, and is one of very few in the UK to grow and vinify 100 per cent of its own grapes, vinified in its own on-site winery.

With its award-winning still and sparkling wines, accessible location, and immersive visitor experiences, the vineyard continues to establish itself as a leading UK destination.

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Woodchester’s story began in 2007 when founder Fiona Shiner created an experimental acre of vines at her home in Amberley.

Fiona was keen to test the soil and slopes of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds to see how suitable it was for growing wine grapes.

With great success, the desire developed into an ambition to grow more grapes and produce wine.

Today, the largest vineyard in the Cotswolds, Woodchester Valley, boasts a 55-acre estate spread over three vineyards and an on-site winery.

The arrival of winemaker Jeremy Mount in August 2016 marked a defining turning point in the vineyard’s journey.

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Jeremy brought extensive experience to the vineyard; with a degree in viticulture and oenology, he had worked with prestigious wineries in some of the world’s best wine regions, including France, Germany, South Africa, the United States and New Zealand.

His background and knowledge of wineries supported the variety of grapes and production techniques needed for Woodchester.

Jeremy Mount, Winemaker at Woodchester Valley Vineyard, said: “Growing up in Kent with parents who were apple and pear fruit farmers, there was always an interest in wine and grape production, so that passion naturally became my career.

“With years of industry knowledge from around the world, I am still intrigued by the winemaking industry today just as I was at the start, while focusing on producing the finest possible still and sparkling English wines.”

Fiona Shiner, Founder of Woodchester Valley Vineyard said: “What started out as a little project turned out to be something quite unexpected. A journey that would grow beyond those early plantings into an award-winning vineyard.

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“I am incredibly proud of the team and what we have all achieved, and honoured to have been a single-estate producer for the last ten years.

“New growing techniques and climate change have made it possible to cultivate grapes commercially in England.

“The quality of the wines is rapidly growing, which makes it an exciting time to explore new varieties of English wines.”

The winery was introduced to the vineyard in time for the 2016 harvest, meaning from then on, all the wines produced have been from grapes grown in Woodchester’s vineyards and vinified in the winery – single estate.

The hard work and expert knowledge have paid off with Woodchester Valley Vineyard winning a medal in every award entered so far this year – a full sweep.