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. 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 directory and information within: The above alphabetical list is not exhaustive, if we have missed a vineyard, please do let us know. 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 vineyard are family-owned which is fantastic – so please support them as you would with artisan food producers.
Visiting a vineyard or buying Devon wine: Covid-19 has obviously affected all vineyards opening times – if you wish to visit a vineyard to buy wine or for a tour, please check their website for more detail. If you are unable to visit a vineyard, many have wines available in their own online shops, plus local wine or farm shops – don’t be afraid to check with them. Some vineyards also love help with their harvest in exchange for a bit of food and drink – but check with individual vineyards.
Alder Vineyard
Location: Okehampton, Devon
Visit for: Their newly built kitchen, shop and winery opened in September 2020. Head there for vineyard tours including wine tasting, and enjoy cheese or charcuterie boards and tasty sandwiches or cakes whilst overlooking the vines. Dog friendly too! 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
Bantham Vineyard
Location:
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. Read about our experience at one of their wine and cheese pairing events here.
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! With a brand spanking new restaurant and visitor centre. Calancombe also own and produce Dartmouth Gin in their distillery on site!
Wines: Sparkling, still and rosé
Carey Valley Wines
Location: Ashwater, West Devon
Visit for: Vineyard tours including tastings of two wines
Wines: Red, white, rosé and sparkling rosé
Castlewood Vineyard
Location: Musbury, Axminster
Visit for: Private tours for groups of 6 or more with wine tasting plus bread and cheese, 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
Wines: White and sparkling
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
Froginwell Vineyard
Location: Sidmouth Road, Exeter
Visit for: Weddings in the cider barn or amongst the vines, corporate events or private hire
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.
Wines: Sparkling white, still rosé and a sparkling cider and their own gin
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.
Wines: Sparkling (Champagne method), red, white – with a rosé & amber wine coming soon
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 which include a tasting of 3 still wines, & you can pop in to buy wine
Wines: Sparkling, red, white and rosé
Lyme Bay Winery
Location: Axminster, East Devon
Visit for: The variety of drinks available to taste and buy in their Cellar Door shop – they make wine, mead, rum, gin, liqueurs and cider to name a few! They do not have their own vineyards anymore but hand pick the best growers and grapes from Devon to Essex. They are currently helping Lympstone Manor with their wine production.
Wines: Sparkling, rosé and white
Lympstone Manor
Location: Lympstone, Nr Exeter, East Devon
Visit for: An experience – home of Chef Patron Michael Caines, MBE DL and his Michelin star dining, luxury hotel accommodation, plus incredible views of vines down to the Exe estuary. In 2021 his luxury shepherds huts in the grounds were opened, with some having partial views of the estuary. Each Wednesday between May and September they will be running vineyard tours for resident guests and special lunch packages for non-residents.
Wines: Vines planted 2019, they have just released their first wine, 2020 Triassic Pinot Noir with further wine varieties expected 2023.
Old Walls Vineyard
Location: Teignmouth, South Devon
Visit for: Tour and tasting which includes lunch at their Regent’s Bistro with terrace overlooking the vineyard, holiday lodges (2 are dog friendly) for a relaxed staycation, ‘rent-a-vine’ which results in your own wine yield, and function room for hire
Dog friendly? Yes, dogs are welcome in two of the lodges, not sure about on tours.
Wines: White, Rosé, Red and Sparkling
Pebblebed Vineyards
Location: Clyst St George, Exeter
Visit for: Vineyard and winery tours, which can include a meal at their separate Topsham-based Pebblebed Cellars
Wines: Sparkling, red, rosé and white
Sandridge Barton (Sharpham Wine)
Location: Stoke Gabriel, Totnes, South Devon
Visit for: Well known Devon winery Sharpham Wine are in their new winery across the river at Sandridge Barton, and they are now open! Well known Exeter city centre restaurant Circa have opened their second venue on site to serve wonderful local produce alongside. Choose from Self Guided Tour and tasting flights, Guided Experience to the full Vine to Wine offering. Dogs are welcome too!
Sharpham also create fantastic cheese and this will remain at their old Sharpham site on the outskirts of Totnes.
Wines: Sparkling, white, rosé and red plus a skin contact natural pinot gris
Saunton Vineyard
Location: Braunton, near Saunton, North Devon
Visit for: This boutique vineyard is in its early stages so is not ready to sell wine or be open for the visiting public just yet. They have planted Solaris and Rondo grapes. Open from May 2023 for coffee and cake, with tours and specials events planned for the Summer. We look forward to hearing more about their progress!
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.
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: Theirs should be harvested 2022, we’re finding out what wines you can taste on the tour!
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 18th – 26th June 2023
#Devonwine #EnglishWine
Dining Devon 
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