After three months of lockdown, many of us are starting to make plans for when restrictions are lifted.
Wine-tasting is a popular activity to do with friends and family and a lovely way to spend a sunny day if you are a wine lover.
With that in mind, here are some suggestions for vineyards near Bristol you can visit:
Limeburn Hill Vineyard
Limeburn Hill Vineyard is is an innovative, ecological vineyard near Chew Magna on the edge of Bristol.
It is the only biodynamic vineyard in the south west of England, and one of only 7 in the UK.
Perched on a sunny south-facing slope overlooking the Chew Valley, the vineyard was hand-planted with 1800 vines in 2015 and a further 800 in 2019. Seven varieties of grapes are grown – three red and four white – from which a variety of natural wines are produced.
You can find out more on a guided tour to learn more about how they manage the vineyard in line with nature, and taste their special wines.
Aldwick Estate
Aldwick Estate is a 300 acre family-run farm located beneath the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills.
They offer 90-minute tours so you can discover the history behind the largest vineyard in Somerset. Oh, and the tour concludes in the tasting room where you will sample various vintages and learn more about each of the individual wines.
Dunleavy Vineyard
Bristol resident Ingrid Bates planted her vineyard in the Yeo Valley back in 2008. It now creates and releases Pinot noir rosé that has won countless awards and has been recommended by some of the world’s top wine critics.
Group visits are offered by appointment.
Mumfords Vineyard
This vineyard near Bath is a family run business.
A visit to Mumfords begins with a tour of the vineyard and historical and botanical information. Visitors are then invited to see the purpose built winery where the wine is made and stored.
Wines are tasted and an explanation of the wine making process is given.
Most groups visit in the summer, but spring and autumn wine tastings can also be arranged.
Bookings can be made for any day (subject to availability) excluding Sundays.
Group visits for a vineyard tour and wine tasting should be be pre-booked in advance. Visits are £15 per head.
Fenny Castle Vineyard
This vineyard near Wookey produces 'award-winning' English sparkling and still wines as well as craft ciders, as SomersetLive reports.
They have a range of events including vineyard tours, cheese and wine tastings and sparkling wine masterclasses.
Wraxall Vineyard
Wraxall Vineyard can be found south of the Mendip Hills near Shepton Mallet.
The owners say their first white and rosé sparkling wines 'immediately won acclaim and international medals'.
They offer wine tasting and tours around their vineyard at £15 per person.
Oatley Vineyard
This vineyard is located near Bridgwater and describes itself as a small, family-run and eco-friendly vineyard in the Somerset countryside.
Old vines, red west country soil, dry white wines that have been winning international awards for 25 years
They run tours, picnics and tastings.
Avalon Vineyard
Another vineyard near Shepton Mallet, this place specialises in organic wines and ciders.
Free of chemical residues, the products are grown and created in harmony with wildlife and the environment, deep in the Somerset countryside.
They offer guided tours (by prior arrangement). Self-guided tours and tastings are free.
Smith and Evans Somerset Wine
This vineyard in Langport has produced award winning sparkling wines.
Vineyard tours are available with advance notice given, according to the website.
