Beautiful Welsh Grapevines

If you think of vineyards and you think of a balmy Mediterranean valley, then it’s time to think again! Because did you know that the Welsh wine industry is booming? Latest figures show that there are no fewer than 17 vineyards dotted across the fertile valleys and plains of Wales, all producing top quality and delicious Welsh wine.

By Jim G on wiki commons

Britain was once famed for it’s wine – the Romans brought the idea of growing vines and producing wine with them when they invaded in the 1st century. And although it’s thought that the climate may have been somewhat warmer then than it is now, the vines flourished, especially in the southern half of the country. However, when trade routes were opened up with Europe in the sixteenth century, French and Spanish wine became more readily available and so the tradition of wine growing here was all but forgotten. The final nail in the coffin came during the First World War when all agricultural fields were commandeered for growing staple food.

However, a dedicated band of small scale producers have been working hard to put Welsh wine firmly back on the grape map. Of course, there are several challenges for wine growers in the UK to hurdle, the unpredictable weather perhaps being the biggest! But it’s a challenge that many have overcome, as wine from Wales has been consistently winning awards on the international wine stage for the last few years.

There are vineyards dotted across Wales; here’s our pick

• Pant Du Vineyard, Penygroes, Caernarfon
• Worthenbury Wines, Wrexham
• Sugar Loaf Vineyard, Abergavenny, South Wales www.sugarloafvineyard.co.uk
• Wernddu Organic Wine, Monmouth www.wernddu.com
• Ty Croes Vineyard, Llanfair PG, Anglesey
• Ancre Hill, Monmouth www.ancrehillestates.co.uk
• Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Cardiff www.llanerch-vineyard.co.uk
• Glyndwr Vineyard, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan www.glyndwrvineyard.co.uk

By Jim G on Wiki commons

Many of the vineyards are open to the public, so a visit to one could be a perfect day out during your holiday. The vineyards at Penygroes and Anglesey are only a short drive from the Oakeley Arms so would be a fantastic outing. Check the websites or ask staff for more details. And why not give Welsh wine a go today? Try a delicious glass of ice cold white on a sunny day, or a warming glass of Welsh red wine in front of the fire, heaven!

For more information about Welsh wine, see the English Wine Producers website, click here