Welcombe Hills Vineyard, UK (July 2020)
Suited just outside Stratford-Upon-Avon, Welcombe Hills is a perfect visit for those wanting to explore vineyards in the Midlands.
Welcombe Hills vineyard is the smallest commercial vineyard in the UK and was planted in 2001 as a "hobby vineyard" and since then has grown over time. They grow 9 grape varieties in total from a small 2.5 acres of vines; including, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir Précoce.
Despite the weather, we were kept in high spirits and given a super informative tour of the small vineyard site, before settling down at our tables under umbrellas to try 4 of their wines.
Generous pours of all the wines that we tried.
"Ophelia" - Sparkling (50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Auxerrois)
"Twelfth Night" - Bacchus/ Sauvignon Blanc (80% Bacchus and 20% Sauvignon Blanc)
"The Tempest" - Bacchus (100% Bacchus)
"A Rose by any other Name" - Rosé (Pinot Précoce and Dornfelder)
My personal favourite was the Ophelia, which we described as creamy, and even a bit of a hint of Mr Whippy icecream.
