Devon Vineyards & Wineries
As explained our my earlier blog post, Lauren is on a mini-mission to highlight the fabulous Devon Vineyards and Wineries that produce Devon wine from their vineyards, since early 2020. The hashtag #EnglishWine has a good use overall on social media but we are also trying to increase the use of #DevonWine so do get involved in sharing your purchases using the hashtag.
What is the difference between a vineyard and a winery? Both are associated with the production of wine, however, there is a distinct difference between them both – a vineyard is where grapes are grown to make wine and a winery is where wine is produced. Some smaller vineyards send their grapes to nearby wineries to be produced using their facilities.
Why is Devon great for growing wine?
We asked Devon-based CMS Certified Sommelier and WSET Wine & Spirits Educator, Rebecca Mitchell, to answer this for us and our readers. She is also delivering online wine-tasting certification if you are interested in learning more about wine.
The South West of England has a growing reputation for producing many award-winning quality still and sparkling wines. Devon benefits from a mild temperate climate which is perfect for grape-growing. Wine GB – West (formerly known as the South West Vineyard Association) has over 80 members with many premium quality wineries here on our doorstep in Devon.
Vineyards which lie closer to the coast can sometimes experience a little more vintage variation than in other parts of England due to slightly cooler maritime conditions and prevailing south west winds. ‘English Fizz’ has won great acclaim on the international stage with many Devon wine-makers winning international awards for their sparkling wines. Other wines to look out for are the aromatic white wines made from Bacchus, Madeleine Angevine or Seyval Blanc. Rosés can be delicious too but Red wines tend to be lighter bodied in style.
Devon Vineyard & Winery Map
Map Key
Vineyard and Winery names are numbered to correspond with the above map, click on their name below to jump down to their information. The ones with images are from our visits and are copyrighted Lauren Heath/Dining Devon.
The directory and information within: The above alphabetical list is not exhaustive, if we have missed a vineyard, please do let us know although we think we have our nose to the ground and have sniffed them all out.
If you click on the vineyard name above it will jump down their entry below, and if you click on their name below, it will open their website in a new window. Almost all of these vineyards are family-owned which is fantastic – so please support them as you would with artisan food producers.
Tours tend to run from Easter to September but please check with individual vineyards. If you want to get involved in harvest season, picking grapes for them whilst being rewarded in food and drink as a reward, then keep an eye out for dates during September and October on individual venues sites.
Alder Vineyard
Location: Okehampton, Devon
Visit for: This venue is in our header image for the blog. Their beautiful airy kitchen, shop and winery opened in September 2020. Head there for vineyard tours, see their winery, whilst enjoying wine tasting. Indulge in their cheese or charcuterie boards and tasty sandwiches or cakes whilst overlooking the rolling hills. Read the write up from our visit here.
Dog friendly? Yes, dogs are welcome outside. Family friendly? Families welcome, no specific activities but there is a petite kids menu
Wines: White and Rosé and Sparkling
Grapes: Madeleine Angevine and Rondo
Bantham Vineyard
Location: Bantham, exact location unknown
Visit for: Planted in May 2021, on the Bantham Estate, this young vineyard is not yet open to the public.
Wines: TBC
Brickhouse Vineyard
Location: Mamhead, Exeter
Visit for: Getting married in their gorgeous roundhouse amidst the vines – they offer venue hire, wine tastings and vineyard tour plus fantastic wine & cheese pairing events.
Wines: White & Rosé – served exclusively at their events
Calancombe Estate
Location: Nr Modbury, South Devon
Visit for: A vineyard, winery and distillery where you can enjoy a variety of tour options, including lunch or a gin making experience! You can enjoy their restaurant where you can indulge in delicious lunches, dinner on Fridays, small Tapas style plates; an extensive ranges of British cheeses and their renowned Celebration Teas. Calancombe also own and produce Dartmouth Gin in their distillery on site!
Wines: Sparkling, still and rosé
Grapes: Pinot Gris, Bacchus, Pinot Noir
Carey Valley Wines
Location: Ashwater, West Devon (currently closed due to owners ill health)
Visit for: Vineyard tours including tastings of two wines
Wines: Red, white, rosé and sparkling rosé (wines can be bought from Tor View Wines)
Castlewood Vineyard
Location: Musbury, Axminster
Visit for: Private tours for groups of 6 or more with wine tasting plus bread and cheese, there is also accommodation on the vineyard consisting of two grade II listed cottages, their annual Castlewood Wine Festival (wine, music, feasting) & a handful of weddings per year. They also have wine and dine options with nearby Glebe House or River Cottage.
Wines: White, rose and sparkling.
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Pinot Meunière , Chardonnay, Bacchus and Seyval Blanc
Dalwood Vineyard
Location: Dalwood, Nr Axminster
Visit for: Wine tours including a tasting of 3 wines, they can include lunch at the local pub. Also available for private parties or a BBQ in the vineyard.
Wines: White and sparkling brut
Grapes: Solaris, madeleine angevine and pinot noir
Froginwell Vineyard
Location: Sidmouth Road, Exeter
Visit for: Weddings in the cider barn or amongst the vines, corporate events or private hire. They also have beautiful holiday accommodation on site now called Sanctuary Sleeps.
Wines: White – served exclusively at their events
Heron Farm
Location: Honiton, Devon
Visit for: Vineyard Kitchen and Farm Shop, head to their vineyard kitchen for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, and of course a glass or two of their wine. All served either inside their Grand Designs building or outside in their stunning walled garden, or in their play park perfect for the smaller people in your life. They have electric car chargers too!
Wines: Sparkling white, still rosé, sparkling elderflower and a sparkling cider plus their own gin
Grape Varieties: Seyval Blanc, Solaris, and Pinot Noir
Huxbear Vineyard
Location: Chudleigh, Newton Abbot
Visit for: Wines sales (by appointment), walking tour of vineyard and winery includes tasting and discounts on any purchases. Dogs welcome. Non walking tours are also available on request and are suitable for people with limited mobility as they are presented in our bar area.
Wines: Sparkling, red, white, and orange
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Siegerrebe and Schonberger
Kenton Park Estate
Location: Kenton, Exeter
Visit for: The ultimate drinks destination – with a cocktail bar, large tasting room, Motley Cru Cafe Bar and Vineyard Kitchen, The Wine Lodge accommodation, wine ‘safari’ tours and much more – they also produce their own Devon beer, cider and gin, plus a Scottish whiskey.
Wines: Their own sparkling wine plus world still wines (their first still wine harvest is yet to be released)
Lily Farm Vineyard
Location: Budleigh Salterton, East Devon
Visit for: Vineyard tours at this award-winning boutique vineyard include a tasting of 3 still wines, & you can pop in to buy wine
Wines: Sparkling, red, white and rosé
Grape Varieties: Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir, Rondo & Bacchus
Lyme Bay Winery
Location: Shute nr Axminster, East Devon
Visit for: The variety of drinks available to taste and buy at their Cellar Door – they make English still and sparkling wine, Fruit wine, Mead, Lugger rum and more! They do not have their own vineyards anymore but hand pick the best growers and grapes from Devon to Essex. They also make assist with Lympstone Manor’s wine production at the winery.
Wines: Traditional Method Sparkling, Still red, rosé and white
Old Walls Vineyard
Sadly, they are now closed for the foreseeable.
Pebblebed Vineyards
Location: Clyst St George, Exeter
Visit for: Now owned by the Darts family, you can enjoy vineyard and winery tours, and tuck into a selection of delicious Darts Farm farmhouse cheese and artisan charcuterie, put together by our award-winning Deli team; whilst looking out over the beautiful views of the vineyard.
Wines: Sparkling, red, rosé and white
Grape Varieties: Madeline Angevine, Phoenix, Regent, Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc & Rondo
Quoit-at-Cross Vineyard
Location: Stoodleigh, near Tiverton, EX169PJ
Visit for: The new vineyard on the block! This petite vineyard of just 3 acres was established in 2019 but opening Spring 2024. Open for tours May-September, with tours on Friday and Sunday. U18s and dogs go free. Website coming soon!
Wines: 3 wines on offer – one classic cuvee brut, one rose, one still white.
Sandridge Barton (Sharpham Wine)
Location: Stoke Gabriel, Totnes, South Devon
Visit for: Established Devon winery previously known as Sharpham Wine are now well and truly bedded in their new home across the river at Sandridge Barton, with a large stone barn for sipping in. With sustainably-focussed restaurant Circa serving wonderful local produce alongside their wines, this is a match made in heaven. Choose from Self Guided Tour and tasting flights, Guided Experience to the full Vine to Wine offering. Dogs are welcome too!
You can even stay with them in one of their three stunning self-catering holiday properties on the estate
Wines: Sparkling, white, rosé and red plus a skin contact natural pinot gris
Grape Varieties: Madeleine Angevine, Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris,
Saunton Vineyard
Location: Braunton, near Saunton, North Devon
Visit for: This boutique and very chilled out vineyard is in a lovely position with views across to Saunton Sands. They have planted Solaris and Rondo grapes. Open for tours now with special events planned for the Summer.
Wines: Still white, Rosé and Orange wine
Grape Varieties: Rondo, Solaris
Swanaford Estate
Location: Brideford, West of Exeter
Visit for: A few miles from Exeter this vineyard is situated with South-east-facing slopes in the Teign Valley. Vineyard tours and tastings in the tasting barn, their is also accommodation in one of their 3 cottages on site. Children and dogs on leads welcome.
Wines: Sparkling and white
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus and Siegrebbe
Tamar Valley Vineyard
Location: Bere Alston, Nr Plymouth
Visit for: Situated on the slopes of the river Tamar with views across to Cornwall, public or private tours can be booked, which include wine tasters along with some local cheese. Children and dogs welcome.
Wines: Sparkling brut and still white
Grape Varieties: Madeleine Angevine
Ten Acres Vineyard
Location: Winkleigh, West Devon
Visit for: Vineyard & winery tours, the Devon Wine Shack shop, plus glamping in their bell tents or you can camp in your tent or VW camper on site.
Dog friendly? Yes, dogs are welcome for camping and on tours. Family friendly? Absolutely! Families welcome and children are free on tours
Wines: White, rosé, red and sparkling
Torview Wines
Location: Beaworthy, West Devon
Visit for: Vineyard and winery tours with a taster of 3 wines, the vineyard specialises in red varieties only. They also run a ‘make your own sparkling wine’ experience which Lauren is in the midst of, next course for 2024 here. Check out her experience of the main day in her reel here, her update post here, and her return to bottle the wines here.
Dog friendly? Yes, dogs are welcome on a lead. Family friendly? Children are free on tours
Wines: Specialising in red wine only
Venn Valley Vineyard
Location: Barnstaple, North Devon
Visit for: Venn Valley Vineyard is on the site of what was previously a Farm Park, planted in 2016, vines now grow where Highland cattle used to graze. Join one of two Vineyard Tours every Friday and Saturday, and enjoy the opportunity to taste up to four English wines.
Dog friendly? Yes, dogs are welcome
Wines: White, Rosé and Sparkling
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, Ortega & Madeline Angevine
Wellhayes Vineyard
Location: Tiverton, Mid Devon
Visit for: Vineyard tour with tastings (can include a cream tea!) and music concerts
Wines: Specialising in sparkling wine plus their own brandy
Check out Lauren’s Devon Wine adventures in her Instagram highlights here, which includes the wines she has bought and Devon vineyards she has visited.
Wine dates for your diary:
The next #EnglishWineWeek is 15th – 23rd June 2024
#Devonwine #EnglishWine
Discover more from Dining Devon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
5 thoughts on “Devon Vineyards & Wineries”