Set high on the rolling hills of the South Cotswolds, Woodchester Valley Vineyard has quietly established itself as one of England’s most distinctive wine producers, and this year marks a significant milestone – celebrating 10 years of being a single-estate vineyard – one of very few in the UK to grow and vinify 100% of their own grapes, vinified in their own winery on-site. With its award-winning still and sparkling wines, accessible location, and immersive visitor experiences, the vineyard continues to establish itself as a leading UK destination.
Winemaker at Woodchester Valley Vineyard.
Woodchester’s story began in 2007 when founder Fiona Shiner created an experimental acre of vines at her home in Amberley. Fiona was keen to test the soil and slopes of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds to see how suitable it was for growing wine grapes. With great success, the desire developed into an ambition to grow more grapes and produce wine. Today, the largest vineyard in the Cotswolds, Woodchester Valley boasts a 55-acre estate spread over three vineyards and an onsite winery.
The arrival of winemaker Jeremy Mount in August 2016 marked a defining turning point in the vineyard’s journey. Jeremy brought extensive experience to the vineyard; with a degree in viticulture and oenology, he had worked with prestigious wineries in some of the world’s best wine regions, including France, Germany, South Africa, the United States and New Zealand. His background and knowledge of wineries supported the variety of grapes and production techniques needed for Woodchester. Jeremy also understood how to navigate the challenges of English winemaking.
“Growing up in Kent with parents who were apple and pear fruit farmers, there was always an interest in wine and grape production, so that passion naturally became my career. With years of industry knowledge from around the world, I am still intrigued by the winemaking industry today just as I was at the start, while focusing on producing the finest possible still and sparkling English wines.”
Jeremy Mount, Winemaker at Woodchester Valley Vineyard
“What started out as a little project turned out to be something quite unexpected. A journey that would grow beyond those early plantings into an award-winning vineyard. I am incredibly proud of the team and what we have all achieved and honoured to have been a single-estate producer for the last ten years. New growing techniques and climate change have made it possible to cultivate grapes commercially in England. The quality of the wines is rapidly growing, which makes it an exciting time to explore new varieties of English wines.”
Fiona Shiner, Founder of Woodchester Valley Vineyard
The winery was introduced to the vineyard in time for the 2016 harvest, meaning from then on, all the wines produced have been from grapes grown in Woodchester’s vineyards and vinified in the winery – single estate. Celebrating the 10 years of being a single-estate vineyard is a milestone that reflects a decade of growth, innovation, and commitment; it is a mark of quality and a promise. Every grape is grown, harvested and transformed into a wine on one estate, capturing the essence of the landscape. The hard work and expert knowledge have paid off with Woodchester Valley Vineyard winning a medal in every award entered so far this year – a full sweep.
Gold and silver awards include the following:
| Rose Brut 2022 – WineGB Gold, Decanter Silver 90 points |
| Blanc de Blancs 2019 – WineGB Gold and Berwick Trophy for the best Blanc de Blancs |
| Reserve Cuvée 2021 – WineGB Gold, Decanter Silver 90 points |
| Cotswold Classic 2022 – WineGB Silver |
| Orpheus Bacchus 2023 – IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) Silver |
| Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – WineGB Silver, Decanter Silver 91 points |
| Pinot Noir 2022 – WineGB Silver |
Woodchester Valley celebrated another major success at the WineGB Awards on 16 July 2026, where its Blanc de Blancs 2019 was crowned Best Blanc de Blancs and awarded the prestigious Berwick Trophy. The accolade marks the second time the vineyard has claimed the Berwick Trophy, following its first joint win in 2024 with Harrow & Hope, further highlighting the consistent excellence of its sparkling wines.
The vineyard is set across three sites in the stunning Stroud valleys and set within the Cotswolds AONB. Woodchester, Stonehouse, and Amberley are all planted on the steep slopes and predominantly limestone soils of the area. The Woodchester and Amberley sites are typical of Cotswold brash—shallow soils with a high stone content, favourable for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, and Stonehouse has a higher clay content and deeper soils well-suited for Bacchus vines.
A visit to the vineyard offers guests the opportunity to take a guided tour through the vines, offering an insight to the estate’s approach behind every bottle. Visitors can then explore the winery to learn about the process from grape to glass and then head to the tasting room to explore the flavours and discover new favourites. This year to celebrate the 10-year anniversary additional celebrations and tours will take place during harvest time. Vineyard tours are available throughout the year and are a great way to combine beautiful surroundings with the opportunity to taste award-winning wines.
As Woodchester Valley Vineyard celebrates 10 years as a single-estate producer and approaches 20 years since the first grapes were planted at Amberley in 2007, the vineyard remains focused on the future, continuing to build on its success and its reputation of craftmanship for many years to come.
 | Visit Woodchester Valley Vineyard to find out more |
