29 October 2024
Award-winning vineyards are not just reserved for France or Italy; there are also plenty of them in Wales. Welsh winemakers combine a sunny climate, a coastal breeze and good soil to produce high-quality wines, with Pembrokeshire vineyards offering tasting tours, delicious food, and overnight accommodation.
VELFREY VINEYARD
Established in 2016 and home to over 4000 vines planted across nearly 3 acres, Velfrey Vineyard is in the idyllic surroundings of Lampeter Velfrey near Narberth. This family-run vineyard offers wine tasting, guided tours, luxury afternoon tea, traditional cream teas and, of course, the opportunity to buy some wine.
For a great day out, book a guided tour and learn how the vineyard was established, walk amongst the vines and discover more about how they are cared for throughout the year. At the visitor centre, learn how the grapes are converted into wine before finally getting to taste the product itself, enjoy a light lunch overlooking the vineyard, purchase gift vouchers and potted vines and even adopt your own vine.
CWM DERI
Close to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Cwm Deri Vineyard produces still and sparkling wines from Madeleine Angevine, Seyval Blanc and Triomphe d’Alsace grapes, as well as a range of fruit wines and liqueurs. Established in 1988, John and Lyn Hamilton Cowburn planted the 3000 vines at Cwm Deri by hand, and it took three years to produce the first grapes. In 2004, when new owners Mike and Danny took over, they began the restoration of the vines.
You can enjoy wine tasting, vineyard tours and woodland walks, and after a few hours exploring, settle down to some delicious local cuisine with home-cooked food at the Cwm Deri restaurant. You can even extend your visit by staying overnight at the campsite.
HEBRON VINEYARD
The organically maintainedHebron Vineyard was planted in 2010 by Jemma Vickers and Paul Rolt, who returned to Wales after nine years of converting an established winery in Andalucia,Spain, into an organic vineyard by taking advantage of the vineyard’s unique terroir. They now produce award-winning wines, including anexceptional sparkling wine that has been given PGI status.Their wines capture the purity of the environment for each vintage and use only grapes from thevineyard.
Soak up the peaceful surroundings as you wander through the vines and the gardens with private tours availableby appointment and cellar door sales welcome. Overnight accommodation is available in their cosyconverted dairy barnfitted with two woodburning stoves.
