The South West of England has a burgeoning wine scene that produces both award-winning still and sparkling wines. Devon boasts a mild climate that is perfect for grape growing, while the maritime conditions and southwest windows can at times create a little more vintage variation than seen elsewhere in the country (outside of Cornwall).
Given the climate and acres of rich, viable land, it’s little surprise that Wine GB West has over 90 members, with many of these boutique vineyards located in Devon.
While you’re in the area, keep a lookout for aromatic whites made from Seyval Blanc or Bacchus, but don’t discount the rosés either. You’ll even find some delicious fruit reds that are much lighter-bodied in taste than usual. Here’s our pick of some of the best vineyards in Devon (and possibly even the UK)…
Torview Wines, Beaworthy
Beara Farm, Sheepwash, Beaworthy EX21 5PB
This small family-run vineyard and winery, sheltered by the tors of Dartmoor, produces award-winning English red wine. It's slightly unusual here, because they exclusively make red wine (all from their own grapes) with a particular penchant for German varieties like Rondo, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir.
After a two-year search for suitable land and buildings, the first vineyard was planted in 2007. There are now some 7,000 vines in production across two south-facing vineyards, which previously had been used for grazing for 60 years.
The wines, matured in oak, are typically soft and fruity for easy drinking. The taste is influenced by the slow pace of the Southwest ripening seasons, and there have even been years when picking has happened in mid-November!
If you'd like to learn more about Torview, book onto a tour of the vineyard. You'll learn about the impact of the climate and how Devon's 'Indian summer' helps, along with what goes into making their award-winning wines. You can expect to hear about the geography too, and how the moors of Dartmoor essentially act as a rain belt, limiting the rain at the vineyard. After the tour, which takes around an hour, you can taste three of the wines.
Oldwalls Vineyard, Bishopsteignton
Old Walls Vineyard, Old Walls Road, Bishopsteignton TQ14 9PQ
If you're looking for a vineyard with history, look no further than Old Walls Vineyard. There is evidence of vineyards on this land more than 2000 years ago! It seems the Romans were keen to take advantage of the south-facing slopes and well-drained soil too. Well, who could blame them!
Today, the vineyard, set in the Devon hills overlooking the River Teign, offers everything from weddings and functions to a local produce championing bistro. But back to the vines…
The location, near Bishopsteignton, benefits from a perfect micro-climate for grape-growing. Interested in how they do it? Join a tour to find out more. Along with a tour of the vines, learn more about the history of Old Walls with a talk in the winery, where you'll also enjoy a guided tasting of the current wine selection and Ploughman’s lunch with a glass of still wine.
Huxbear Vineyard, Newton Abbot
Chudleigh, Newton Abbot TQ13 0EH
First planted by Lucy and Ben in 2007, today Huxbear Vineyard produces boutique English wine grown and made in the Teign Valley, Devon.
The vineyard is spread across a 15-acre plot of south and south-west facing slopes, split into two fields. The first field is home to 9,500 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, used for their sparkling wine. The other field has 7,000 vines, a mixture of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus, Schonberger and Siegerrebe, and these are used for both still and sparkling.
The vineyard practices a minimum intervention vine growing and winemaking practice to reduce the effect on the environment. The winery itself is fully off-grid, with most power produced from solar on-site. It's also a great option for vegans, as all the wines here are vegan-friendly.
Keen to find out more? You can go on a walking tour of the vineyard and winery, which includes a 90-minute tour followed by a tasting. You'll also get a discount on any purchases made, making it a lip-smacking day out in South Devon.
Pebblebed Vineyard, Exeter
Lyme Bay Winery, Shute, Axminster EX13 7PW
What started as a community project in 1999 is now a fully-fledged vineyard producing award-winning wines. Acclaim includes the prestigious Gold Medal in the English and Welsh Wine of the Year Competition.
It all started back in the 90s, when 11 local families got together and planted the first half-acre of vines in a beautiful setting just south of the Cathedral city of Exeter in Devon. Then, with the help of the local community and farms, Pebblebed has grown to more than 20 acres of vineyard, complete with a modern winery. It produces around 50,000 bottles of Devon wines each year.
You can try both still and sparkling, but their English sparkling is recognised as some of the best in the world. The wines here are made naturally, with minimal additives used to best exhibit the Devon terroir.
Since one of the founders sadly passed away, the winery has joined the Dart's Farm family. Each year, there is a large community harvest, along with vineyard tours, tastings, a chance to meet the producers and other artisan experiences.
Alder Vineyard, Okehampton
Alder Vineyard, Lewdown, Okehampton EX20 4PJ
The family at Alder Vineyard has been living on this land for over a century! But in 2009, three generations worked together to turn some of the estate into a vineyard. Now their home on the edge of Dartmoor is home to 5,000 vines.
Today, they are on a mission to demystify the world of wine and share their love of a bottle of the good stuff. You can join them on a walk through the vines where you'll learn what goes into each and every bottle. You'll meet the family, explore 5,000 vines, learn about the process in the new winery and enjoy a guided wine tasting.
There's also the option to join them for lunch at the Kitchen + Bar. Tuck into the signature winemaker’s platter or enjoy a hefty open sandwich. All alongside a glass of wine... Or two.
Lyme Bay Winery
We know this is a list for vineyards, but we couldn’t resist including Lyme Bay Winery. The award-winning home of English wines, Lyme Bay has perfected the art of quenching a thirst, whether your tastes are bubbly, fruity, or somewhere in between. The wine selection here is second to none, with crisp rosés, dry whites, and elegant reds you’ll keep reaching for long after the bottle is empty. Lyme Bay also boast a lip-smacking array of sparkling wines and country wines for those celebratory moments, as well as a host of traditional (and not so traditional, we’re looking at you, chilli) meads. Oh, and a toast-worthy collection of liqueurs, gins, and rums to keep spirits high!
Sound like a little bit of you? Visit the Cellar Door shop to stock your liqueur cabinet right up, or join for a fascinating tasting experience, where you’ll be introduced to a selection of wines, inviting you to flex your tastebuds while learning about the origins of each.
Fancy a wine tour of Devon? Explore our selection of holiday cottages in Devon for the perfect base. We have a huge range of cottages to choose from, from dog-friendly boltholes to dreamy coastal homes; you’ll find the perfect place to sip a glass of wine.
