A huge range of vineyards and wineries can be found throughout the UK, producing an array of award-winning sparkling and still wines. You may be wondering whether there is a vineyard in Somerset, near you.
Are there any Vineyards and Wineries in Somerset?
With it’s rich heritage of fresh, local ingredients, it’s no surprise Somerset is home to national and world-famous produce, including wine. Somerset is blessed with a mild South West climate and rich fertile soils, and is ideal for growing vines, and there are several vineyards in the county.
Here are nine of the best vineyards and wineries to visit across Somerset.
Why visit a local vineyard?
Plenty of the UK’s best vineyards are open to the public and there are lots of reasons why you might consider visiting a vineyard in Somerset. Many offer tours, tastings and overnight stays. Enjoy a glass of wine in a beautiful setting with amazing countryside views. These UK vineyards offer far more than just fabulous wine.
Somerset Vineyards
Aldwick Estate Vineyard
Where: Aldwick Estate, Redhill, Bristol, BS40 5AL
Aldwick Estate is a family-run vineyard on a 300 acre estate, producing award winning still and sparkling wines. It’s the largest vineyard in Somerset and an idyllic place to sample exquisite English wine and tour beautiful vineyards in the Mendip Hills in the Somerset countryside.
Tours and Tasting: Start the ninety-minute tour with a glass of sparkling wine before venturing into the vineyards with a knowledgeable guide, concluding in the tasting room where you will sample various vintages and learn more about each of the wines. Cost £22.50/person. Available every Sunday and Monday from April to October.
You can even order a picnic hamper to enjoy which includes local charcuterie, Somerset cheeses and lots of other goodies with a bottle of wine.
Wine: Red, white, rosé and sparkling wines from Pinot Noir, Seyval, Bacchus, Madeline Angevine, Solaris and Regent vines.
You can enjoy a relaxing countryside break on the estate and stay in one of the four beautifully appointed bedrooms or two spacious apartments. Aldwick Estate also offer event space, you can hire one of their two rustic stone barns for celebrations. If you’re looking for a beautiful setting for your wedding, Aldwick Estate is also a wedding venue.
READ MORE: The best farm shops in Somerset
Wraxall Vineyard, Wraxall, near Shepton Mallet
Where: Wraxall Road, Wraxall, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6RQ
Discover this stunning South Somerset vineyard planted in 1974 and one of the oldest in the county, producing award-winning English wines.
Tours and tasting: Enjoy a relaxed and informal tour wandering through the vines to the top of the vineyard to take in the spectacular views across the Somerset levels. Their unique tasting, events and meeting space, The View@Wraxall is nestled in amongst the vines. Enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace in summer or by the fire in winter, accompanied with food from local producers.
Wines: Still and sparkling white and Rose wine from Pinot Noir, Pinot Précoce, Bacchus and Seyval Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay vines.
Discover their events – talks, workshops, celebratory events, or maybe some yoga.
Stay on the Vineyard at one of the three cottages, each offering a pocketful of rustic luxury whilst still paying homage to the historic vineyards past.
Fenny Castle Vineyard, Worth
Where: Panniers Farm, Castle Lane, Worth, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1NL
Tours and Tasting: Sample the award-winning English still and sparkling wines and craft ciders. Book a 2 hour tour and wine tasting with James at this vineyard on the edge of the Somerset Levels. 2024 dates are now available – every Saturday between April and October at 4.00 pm.
Wines: Still and sparkling white and rose wine from Bacchus, Ortega and Pinot Noir vines.
You can order online from their cellar door shop where they have a selection of award-winning wines and ciders.
You can stay at the cosy vineyard cottage, a converted cow barn with an open plan living room and kitchen with large inglenook fireplace and wood burner. It sleeps 2/3 and can be booked here.
Oatley Vineyard, near Bridgwater
Where: Oatley Lane, Cannington, Bridgwater, TA5 2NL
Situated between the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel coast, this small, family-run, eco-friendly vineyard is perfectly situated in the Somerset countryside.
Wines: Oatley specialises in dry white wines from Kernling and Madeleine Angevine grapes which regularly win national and international awards.
Tours and Tasting: The idyllic summer tasting experiences re-open for private and self-guided tastings on Saturday 27th April 2024. Enjoy a relaxed, private do-it-yourself tasting, decamp to a private picnic spot in the vineyard and relax with your friends at the tables and deckchairs while you taste their dry white wines. You can even bring your own picnic to enjoy with the wine. Or savour a private tasting just for your group, conducted by one of the family.
They’re open for wine sales on Saturdays at the vineyard between 11 am and 1.00 pm.
Smith and Evans Somerset Wine, Langport
Where: Higher Plot Farm, Aller Road, Langport, TA10 0QL
Wine Merchant and makers of award winning sparkling wines from the heart of Somerset.
Wines: Sparkling and still wines from Burgundian Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier vines
Much of the land at Higher Plot Farm is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with one of the widest bio-diversity to be found in Somerset. The orchard is hundreds of years old and lies on terracing that are possibly Roman or more likely, Saxon Lynchetts and so more than 1000 years old.
Tours and Tasting: They’re open for self-guiding tours between April and September on Saturdays between 10 am and 5 pm. Collect a vineyard information sheet for a wander through the vines and then into the tasting room to try their delicious wines, gin and cider. Cost £5/person including tasting.
Or take a private group tour and tasting for between six and fourteen people which takes around an hour and a half, and includes a walk around the vineyard and tasting of their wines, Langport gin and cider accompanied by a small platter of local bread, cheeses, charcuterie and also smoked salmon pate. Cost £27/person.
Stay at their recently converted barn which has panoramic views across the vineyard and the Somerset Levels, as far as the Blackdown Hills and Exmoor. This place is ideal for nature lovers, and you can access their Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on foot directly from the garden allowing you to discover ancient orchards and rare orchids.
Dunleavy Vineyard, Wrington
Where: Wrington, North Somerset
Dunleavy Vineyards are located in the heart of the beautiful Yeo Valley in Somerset and planted in 2008 by owner and manager Ingrid Bates.
Tours and tastings: September is tour month: Take a 90 minute tour with Ingrid where you’ll have an informal look around the Wrington site and conclude with a wine tasting session in the open air. Cost £15/person.
Wine: Multi-award winning rosé and sparkling wines from Regent and Seyval blanc grapes.
Music and wine pairing: They have used their 2022 still rosé labels to celebrate Bristol’s vibrant music scene. Ingrid has collaborated with five local musicians who are pictured on the label and each have chosen a piece of music to pair with the rosé to create a music and wine pairing! Just scan the QR code on the bottle to listen to the music as you enjoy the rose wine.
Avalon Vineyard, near Shepton Mallet
Where: The Drove, East Pennard, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6UA
Avalon Vineyard is situated on the site of a historic vineyard near Glastonbury and home of Pennard Organic Wines and Cider. Hugh and Hilary Tripp started from scratch in 1981 and their first wines won awards in national competitions. Using organic principles from the start, they expanded and established a cider orchard as well.
Tours and Tastings: Avalon Vineyard is open all year round (except Mondays) and offer guided tours (by prior arrangement). Guided tours are available (for a minimum of 10 people) if booked in advance – there is a charge per head for this. Otherwise you can do a self-guided tour for free with their Avalon Vineyard Walk leaflet – please ask in the shop for this.
Wine: Organic dry white and sparkling wines from Seyval and Orion vines. Plus a range of fruit wines; organic pure mead (made from organic honey) and apple mead; and a range of fruit liqueurs.
Cider: Dry, medium and sweet traditional farmhouse ‘scrumpy’ from their orchards. Only available in their farm shop. It is even cheaper if you bring your own container.
Shop: Check out their farm shop on site where you can buy wines, fruit wines, mead, liqueurs and cider. You’re usually welcome to have a free taste all of their products – wines, fruit wines, mead, liqueurs and cider. They are very special, distinctive and delicious. The ‘scrumpy’ cider is in barrels and can be blended to suit your taste. Otherwise you can buy from their online shop.
Wayford Vineyard, near Crewkerne
Where: Dunsham Lane, Wayford, Somerset TA18 8QN
In 2007, ten couples started a new venture and planted 3500 pinot noir vines in the village of Wayford. This is located on the Somerset-Dorset border overlooking the beautiful Axe valley. It’s now home to their award-winning Somerset sparkling wine.
Wine: Wayford Brut Pinot Noir
Shop: Shop online for their Wayford Brut Pinot Noir or from one of their local suppliers. You can also keep an eye out for them at one of the local events.
Mowbarton Estate, near Wedmore
Where: Indigo Barn, Mudgley, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4TX
Mowbarton Estate is located in the beautiful Somerset countryside overlooking the Vale of Avalon.
Wine: Sill and sparkling wine from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay vines. You can buy their wine from the online shop.
Contact them to arrange a visit to the vineyard.
Stay at Mowbarton Vineyard: If you fancy a relaxing weekend away in the Somerset countryside, Mowbarton Estate have self-catering accommodation. A converted barn that sleeps up to 9 people and a cosy Shepherd’s Hut that sleeps 2 people.
Follow us on social media
Pin it for later!
Read more 'Somerset Days Out' here
Somerset Family Adventures is a free online resource. If you enjoyed this guide you can show your support by buying me a coffee. Thanks so much!
