Cotswold vineyards and their best wines
WORDS BY Katie Jarvis
English wine is giving world producers a run for their money — and the Cotswolds is no exception with numerous top awards between them.
Here, we’ve brought together some of the best. Just have a look… and a taste. Cheers!
Woodchester Valley Vineyard and Winery, Upper Atcombe Farm, Convent Lane, Woodchester GL5 5HR
A single estate, family-owned vineyard and winery, Woodchester Valley focuses on producing quality English still and sparkling wines, all beautifully influenced by the limestone soils of steep and picturesque Cotswold vineyards.
We recommend: Woodchester Valley Bacchus 2022. Made from 100 percent Bacchus fruit from the excellent and lovely ripe 2022 harvest, Great British Wines recently judged it the fifth best Bacchus in a blind-tasting of 40 Bacchus wines, praising its refined nose and whistle-clean placate.
Where and when to drink: Sitting on the terrace of the Tasting Room, accompanied by the stunning views across Woodchester Valley - at any time.
Tours and tastings: There are numerous options, including grazing lunches, Fizz and Chips, Wine and Cheese, Discovery and Sunset evenings.
Website: woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk
Little Oak Vineyard, Paxford Road, Chipping Campden GL55 6LA
Little Oak is a family-run vineyard lying just outside Chipping Campden, growing two varieties: Siegerrebe and Seyval Blanc. Blessed with near perfect soil for viniculture they planted their first vines in 2005, and are now reaping awards for their sparkling wines
We recommend: Siegerrebe; a still, dry white wine. Because it’s not blended, every year is different. When people come to do the wine-tastings, they get to try the same variety over different years to see how it changes, depending on the weather during the growing season and the acidity when the grapes are harvested. People can’t always believe that it’s the same grapes because they do vary from year to year!
Where and when to drink: On a beautiful summer’s evening with a selection of local cheeses, such as Stinking Bishop made by Charles Martell (who also distils Little Oak Cotswold Gold brandy).
Tours and tastings: Tours run Wednesdays to Sundays all year round – booked through the website, where you’ll also find extra sessions during the season. In summer months, there’s a walk around the vines. Out of season, or if the weather is bad, there’s an on-screen presentation, followed by the wine-tasting.
Website: littleoakvineyard.com
Larkhill Vineyard, Cirencester Road, Tetbury GL8 8RX
An exciting vineyard situated in the heart of the Cotswolds, just on the edge of Tetbury. Planted in 2018, Larkhill offers an array of wonderful sparkling wines and carefully crafted still wines.
We recommend: Their range of traditionally made Cotswold Sparkling, matured on the lees for over two years. Both wines are elegant, crisp, and dry, with a floral and fruity nose. The Sparkling Brut has a lasting finish of melon and apple, while the Sparkling Rosé lingers on the palate with notes of rose and summer berries.
Where and when to drink: A perfect addition to a picnic basket; enjoy at any of the glorious Cotswold beauty spots. Alternatively, where better to drink the wine than at the source, on a sunny afternoon, amongst the vines in the vineyard!
Tours and tastings: Larkhill runs scheduled tours and tastings throughout the season, offering two sparkling and two still wines accompanied by an artisan cheese platter. Private parties can also be catered for. Throughout the year, they host evening pop-up wine-bar events, with guest local food producers; all details can be found on the website.
Website: www.larkhillvineyard.co.uk
Bow in the Cloud Vineyard, Noah's Ark, Garsdon SN16 9NS
A small (three-acre) second generation family vineyard offering quality English wine since 1992, tucked away near the ancient town of Malmesbury. Working sympathetically with the local wildlife, they produce a range of still wines from a few varieties of grape.
We recommend: Schonburger - a still, aromatic white wine from an unusual variety of grape, difficult to find even in its native Germany. Notes of sumptuous and fleshy orchard fruit, a touch of exotic spice and rose and its soft and textured palate with a long finish make it an outstanding pairing for lightly spiced Asian dishes or simple Sunday roast chicken.
Where and when to drink: Available from the cellar door near Malmesbury as well as from a small selection of Cotswold venues, including the excellent Royal Oak at Ramsden.
Tours and tastings: They run friendly, informal tours and tastings over the summer – take a look at their website for current info.
Website: bowinthecloud.co.uk
Poulton Hill Vineyard, Poulton, Cirencester GL7 5JA
Growing several grape varieties (white Bacchus, Seyval Blanc and Phoenix; red Pinot Noir, Regent, and Rondo) chosen to perfectly complement the Cotswold climate, geography, and soil, Poulton Hill is a small, family-owned vineyard that has won a host of awards for English wines and spirits.
We Recommend: Bulari 2019 sparkling white. Pale gold in appearance, you’ll find a vibrant nose of freshly-cut green apple and pear and citrus notes of orange peel and a palate full of mouth-watering fruits; juicy apple at the forefront and hints of grapefruit and lemon (sherbet) while the fine mousse, gives a wonderfully well rounded mouth-feel with a crisp, clean finish.
Where and when to drink: Surrounded by gorgeous countryside steeped in Roman history, perhaps the best place to enjoy a glass is at the Cellar Door on one of the tours and tastings.
Tours and tastings: Poulton Hill runs regular events where you can taste the unique wines and spirits and walk amongst 9,750 vines planted on the warm and sunny south-facing slopes of Poulton Hill Estate. You will also hear more about how these are blended and balanced by their experienced winemaker and distiller.
Website: poultonhillestate.co.uk
Freedom of the Press, Ringwood Farm, Minster Lovell OX29 0ND
Not a vineyard, but a fantastic micro winery making top-quality English still wines with carefully chosen grapes from across the country. With a focus on high-quality fruit, gentle handling and pressing, and maturation in a range of vessels, they produce classic, balanced, elegant and highly enjoyable wines.
We recommend: Pinot Noir (red) 2022. A wine of unusual depth and colour for England, it still has the tell-take cool-climate pinot delicacy and fragrance. Notes of red cherry and wild strawberry, and perhaps even some rose and violets, and as the wine matures a savoury suggestion will gradually evolve.
Where and when to drink: This goes delightfully with a rack of lamb with light jus, pigeon and peas, or a truffle-based pasta. A warm summer evening in a Cotswold cottage garden makes for the ideal setting.
Tours and tastings: There are frequent open days throughout the summer, alongside regular bookable 'taste and tour events', usually on a Saturday. If there's nothing listed on the website that suits, get in touch and they promise to fix something up for you.
Website: freedomofthepress.co.uk
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