Wine Tasting at Woodchester Valley

For my birthday I went wine tasting with friends at Woodchester Valley, and wow was it delicious!

Driving through the little lanes up through South Woodchester passing Cotswold stone houses and getting a glimpse of ripe grape vines poking through the hedges as you drive up to the tasting room. At the top you are greeted by a beautiful wood cabin and handed a glass of cold crisp white wine, Culver Hill to be precise (this one was my favourite). 

We sat outside soaking in the sunshine and enjoying the views that you get from the top of the hill whilst drinking the most delicious dry wine. We entered the cabin to find smartly presented interiors with delicate wine glasses set up on each table with a side of crackers and water. Our tour started off with a descriptive history of the company and how they started which was so interesting. 

It started with just an acre of vines back in 2007 and now they have three vineyard sites in the Stroud Valleys including Amberley, Stonehouse, and Woodchester, with a total of 56 acres and they produce a range of white, rosé, and sparkling wines. We also we told about how the wine is produced and the types of grapes they produce, this was so interesting to learn more about the process. All their wines are vegan because if you didn’t know many wines are filtered through fish products or have added gelatine. 

We wandered around the vineyard and the winery where we were shown a section of the vineyard and the machinery that is used to create the wine. We then followed through to the storeroom where we were shown how they were kept and how sparkling wine is made which was so insightful and you don’t realise how much time goes into making English “Champagne”.  

After going back to be seated we were met by a glass of Bacchus and a glass of Rosé. We learned about how the wine was made and the notes of which the glass portrays as well as what to pair it with. The Bacchus wine was full of zesty, citrus flavours with a hint of elderflower and honeysuckle. The Rosé was a blend of Pinot Noir and Regent which was dry but full in flavour with aromas of berries and cherry which is perfect with cold meat and cheese. After devouring these two glasses when then moved on to the sparkling wines. The first was a Rosé Brut which is delicate and has a subtle note of raspberry which lingers on the palate. Then my second favourite of the night was the Reserve Cuvée which has a minimum of 24 months lees aging in the bottle which expresses ripe red fruit and apple. 

At the end of the night, you have opportunity to purchase any of the wine which you have tried however if you can’t decide you can buy gift boxes or pop into the Cellar door shop located on the road towards Nailsworth where they house their current range of wines.

You can also have private tours and tastings for groups between 10-24 people which would be a great evening for a celebration with friends. If you are looking for a weekend getaway in the Cotswolds you can stay in one of three vineyard guest rooms which is fully equipped for a relaxing and enjoyable staycation. 

Overall the whole experience was amazing and I would highly recommend it if you are a couple or a group of friends or family it was a friendly and warm evening.