There are now over 1,000 vineyards in the UK. English wines regularly beat rivals from abroad in blind tasting competitions and Southern Oxfordshire, with its chalky Chiltern hills, is lucky to have some terrific local vineyards who produce excellent wines and, in many cases, welcome visitors for tours of their sites and wine tastings experiences. These can be booked on their websites, found below.
Many also host other events throughout the year, such as live music, craft workshops and private tours. You can even volunteer to help with the harvests in October. Local author, Marcus Rees, has published a guide to the vineyards and wines of Oxfordshire. The following selection of vineyards can be found in South Oxfordshire or Vale of White Horse.
Brightwell Vineyard is situated on the main road between Wallingford and Shillingford. It was established in 1987, making it one of the oldest vineyards in the region. There is an on-site shop for year-round wine sales on weekends. Bookings are also open for 2025 tours, which start in May. The annual Thames Valley Food & Drink festival takes place here in August. Brightwell produces a wide range of styles at their on-site winery, including award-winning red wines, sparkling wine and an English brandy.
Another long-established vineyard and winery, Chiltern Valley was planted in 1982, whilst the on-site Old Luxters Brewery was added in 1990. Set in the Chilterns AONB near Hambleden, it is popular with walkers and cyclists and has excellent visitor facilities. Year-round tours with tasting can be booked online, and the shop and food van are open year-round. It is a popular wedding venue and B&B accommodation is available. As well as wine and ale, Chiltern Valley also produces a wide range of liqueurs.
Unusually for a vineyard, Fairmile is conveniently situated within walking distance of a railway station, in this case, Henley-on-Thames. Private tours and wine tastings, and mixed group vineyard tours are offered, often with a picnic lunch in the vineyard. Fairmile makes delicious, award-winning English Sparkling wines from the same grape varieties and by the same traditional method as Champagne.
This vineyard lies a few miles east of Wantage at East Hendred and was established in 1972, making it one of the oldest in the country. Sparkling and still white and rose wines are produced, and can be ordered online and collected from the small vineyard shop. There are occasional open days, which are advertised on the vineyard website and on social media.
An upmarket winery and vineyard set in the Stonor Valley at Pishill. Hundred Hills offers private wine tasting events and membership packages, and produces a range of fine sparkling wines, sold at some of the best restaurants in the country. Pavilion Foods Henley sells several of these wines.
Situated at a beautiful site in Russells Water in the Chiltern Hills, JoJo’s produces still white wine and sparkling wines made by the traditional method, like Champagne. Visits can be made by appointment only but occasional events are hosted, which are advertised by newsletter and social media. A visitor centre is planned.
Well set up for visitors, Oaken Grove lies a short distance from Henley at Fawley in the Chiltern Hills. The lovely wine terrace overlooking the vines is a great location to drink the vineyard’s wines and tables can be reserved online most Saturdays during the summer. Food platters can also be reserved. Regular events such as Jazz sessions take place and 2025 tours are available to book now. There is a lovely small shop and bar, and a wide range of still and sparkling wines, as well as other drinks.
There are no visitor facilities or tours at Wyfold vineyard, deep in the Chiltern Hills near Checkendon, but the outstanding sparkling wines can be purchased at local outlets, such as Blue Tin Produce farm shop and local foodie pubs.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE
This website contains links to other third party websites that are not operated by us. While we try to link only to sites that share our high standards and respect for privacy, we are not responsible for the content, security or privacy practices of those third party websites. We strongly encourage you to view the privacy and cookie policies displayed on those third party websites to find out how your personal information may be used.
This website has been built as a joint venture by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, as part of a project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, invest in communities and place, support local businesses and people, and develop skills.
For more information, read the UK Shared Prosperity Fund prospectus.