Fenny Castle Vineyard

A Somerset vineyard where vines root in a rare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest, yielding wines as unique as the landscape.

https://www.fennycastlevineyard.co.uk

Fenny Castle Vineyard, Panniers Farm, Castle Lane, Worth, WELLS, Somerset, BA5 1NL. Get directions

Nearest station: Castle Cary (13.4 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Tasting room

Dog friendly

Child friendly

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Hosts weddings

Open year-round

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Fenny Castle Vineyard offers a charming, family-run experience with knowledgeable and passionate hosts, Gill and James. It provides a picturesque and serene atmosphere, with a hidden, off-the-radar feel and inspiring views of Glastonbury Tor.

Visiting Information

Tours and Tastings: Vineyard tours and wine tastings are available by advance booking and are very popular. Regular tours run at 4pm on Saturdays between April and October, lasting approximately two hours. These provide insight into the grape growing and winemaking year, culminating in a tasting of their award-winning wines. Private tours for groups of six or more can also be arranged.
Opening Hours: The cellar door shop is open most days, but it is advisable to call ahead if travelling a long distance.

Special Events: Fenny Castle Vineyard hosts intimate events among the vines, including cheese and wine tastings and sparkling wine masterclasses. Private tours can also include a mezze light lunch.

Accommodation: The vineyard offers a cosy, converted cow barn cottage on-site, featuring an open-plan living room and kitchen, a double bedroom, and a luxury shower room. The cottage has a charming character with exposed beams and stonework, and the bedroom is suitable for a child.

Children and Dogs: Children are welcome in the vineyard cottage. Fenny Castle Vineyard generally welcomes children and dogs.

The Wine

Fenny Castle Vineyard, a small producer with its own winery, hand-crafts a range of quality English wines and ciders. Their selection includes still and sparkling wines, predominantly made from grapes grown on their Somerset estate.

Sparkling wines include a 100% Pinot Noir 'Blanc de Noir' made using the traditional Méthode Champenoise, and a highly acclaimed sparkling rosé. Their still wines feature Ortega, noted for its aromatic profile with melon and pear notes, and Bacchus, described as a delicate dry wine with hints of rose petal and elderflower. They also produce a popular still Pinot Noir rosé.

Fenny Castle wines have received multiple accolades. Their Fenny Castle Sparkling Rosé 2019 notably won a Gold medal at the WineGB Awards 2023 and a 93-point Silver at the International Wine Challenge 2023. It also secured Gold and the trophy for Best Sparkling Rosé in the West at the WineGB West competition. Earlier recognition includes a Gold medal for their 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé at the Independent English Wine Awards, and Silver and Bronze medals for their 2015 Ortega wines at the South West Vineyards Association competition.

The vineyard operates its own small, well-equipped winery on-site, where riddling and disgorging are carefully carried out by hand. Winemaker James Cumming, a graduate of Plumpton College, oversees the winemaking process, focusing on traditional methods combined with modern knowledge to produce individual, high-quality wines.

Getting here

Fenny Castle Vineyard is located at Panniers Farm, Castle Lane, Worth, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1NL.

By Car
The vineyard is easily accessible by car, situated close to Wells, England's smallest cathedral city.

By Public Transport
Wells does not have its own train station. The nearest main train station is Castle Cary, approximately 13-15 miles away. A taxi journey from Castle Cary station to Fenny Castle Vineyard typically takes around 25 minutes. While buses connect Wells to nearby towns, there is no direct bus service from Castle Cary to Wells. Taxis are readily available at Castle Cary train station.

What's nearby

Other Vineyards:
- Wraxall Vineyard – One of Somerset's oldest vineyards, producing award-winning English wines.
- Aldwick Estate – Somerset's largest vineyard, offering tours and tastings amidst 11 acres of vines.
Notable Restaurants:
- Root Wells – A modern, vegetable-led restaurant in Wells, known for its sharing plates.
- The Sheppey Inn – A unique pub located amidst the Somerset Levels, known for its character and setting.
Notable Hotels:
- The Crown Hotel, Glastonbury – An 18th-century coaching inn in the heart of Glastonbury, refurbished to offer stylish accommodation.
- The Swan Hotel, Wells – A historic hotel in the heart of Wells, offering a charming stay near the cathedral.
Notable Attractions:
- Glastonbury Tor – An iconic hill with a rich history and mythology, offering panoramic views of the Somerset Levels.
- Wells Cathedral – A magnificent medieval cathedral, considered one of the most beautiful in England, located just two miles from the vineyard.