As the seasons change and the colours of the vineyard shift from lush green to golden and russet tones, Woochester Valley Vineyard continues to welcome visitors for tours and tastings throughout the year.
With the harvest arriving earlier than ever, influenced by the warm and sunshine-filled days of the summer, a careful and all-important coordination of picking commenced at the Vineyard. The grapes ripened at a record-breaking pace and the 2026 harvest came to an unusually early finish. Now as the vineyard season comes to an end, the vines lose their leaves and are ready for their winter respite, the vineyard welcomes a new programme of tours, tastings and festive events running through autumn and into winter.
“At this time of year, the pace slows down at the vineyard, but there is a quiet magic that is hard to find during the summer months. It has been a fantastic year for our vines, due to the hot and dry summer, and it’s certainly kept the team busy. When the summer season drifts away, the landscape takes on a different feel and a beautiful light across the valleys. There are so many great days ahead to show off our vineyard, with an exciting calendar of events that take us up to the new year. We look forward to welcoming visitors, to introduce our award-winning wines and share the Woodchester story.”
Fiona Shiner, founder of Woodchester Valley Vineyard
The Classic tour and tastings, one of the most popular tours, continues to run throughout the cooler months, offering a more relaxed introduction to the vineyard. With the pace slightly slower, it allows guests to take in the surroundings and the new palette of colours. Visitors explore the vines, followed by a guided tasting. Those who want to pair the visit with a lunch can add a grazing lunch of locally sourced cheese and charcuteries. The Friday classic tour has optional fish and chips, a classic portion from the local favourite Simpsons. Classic Tours run on Wednesday at 11am, Thursday at 2pm, Friday at 11am and Saturday at 2pm during the low season.
The Premium tour and tastings, run all year round and guests can enjoy a tour of the winery and details about the wine making process. Learn about food pairings by trying perfectly paired nibbles with the premium wines. The tours run on a Monday at 2pm, Friday at 3.30pm and Saturday morning at 11am.
The Festive Sip and Shop events invite visitors to do a spot of Christmas shopping for friends and family in a warm and festive environment. Browse Woodchester’s wide selection of wines while sipping on a welcome drink and a mince pie, or optional grazing board, the perfect way to fully embrace Christmas shopping. Whether you’re buying an individual bottle of sparkling wine or putting together a personalised hamper for a wine enthusiast, the vineyard staff will be there to offer advice on the best Christmas gifts. Buying for someone who has everything – why not gift them an experience? A wine tour voucher is something for them to not only look forward to but also bring new discoveries and lasting memories. The event will be held in the tasting room on Wednesday 2nd and 9th December from 6.15pm.
Round up your favourite people and leave the planning to the Woodchester team to arrange a festive get together, with a customised private tour. Choose from a classic or premium tour or make a bespoke experience, the perfect excuse to kick off the celebrations.
Stay a little longer, the Vineyard barns offer the perfect escape for couples that want to continue to soak up the surroundings after the tour or explore the countryside. Three beautiful barns for two, offering incredible views across the valleys. For larger gatherings, there is The Retreat, a spacious and welcoming dog-friendly farmhouse stay, or Woodchester Valley House, which welcomes a home from home stay for up to 12 guests and is available throughout the festive period.
This corner of the Cotswolds offers spectacular landscapes, stunning countryside walks and nearby towns with vibrant art and food scenes. Stroud, Painswick, Nailsworth, Tetbury are all within easy reach of the vineyard. Woodchester Valley Vineyard warmly welcomes visitors to discover the South Cotswolds at this special time of year.
 | Visits and Tours can be booked through www.woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk |
