What's the vibe

Nestled in the picturesque Stirkel Valley of Dorset, Melbury Vale Vineyard offers a peaceful escape with stunning views of the surrounding hills and Cranborne Chase National Landscape. Visitors can enjoy a calm and relaxed atmosphere, often accompanied by beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and spectacular stargazing opportunities due to its location on the edge of the Dorset Dark Sky Park.

Visiting information

Melbury Vale Vineyard operates primarily through pre-booked arrangements, ensuring a tailored experience for guests.

• General Opening: The vineyard and winery are open for tastings and sales on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Tours: Public Vineyard and Winery Tours are offered on Saturdays at 10:30 am from March through October. These tours cost £35 per person and include a guided walk through the vineyard, a visit to the production area, wine tastings, and a light lunch (with vegetarian/vegan options available). Tours must be booked at least 72 hours in advance. Tables are available for a minimum of four people.
• Private Groups: Private group visits and events (for 12 to 20 people) can be arranged by prior appointment on other days.
• Accommodation: The vineyard offers on-site accommodation, including holiday lodges with features like sedum roofs and views over the valley. There is also a holiday-let in a converted stable.
• Children: The vineyard is child-friendly.
• Food: While there isn't a dedicated restaurant, light lunches are provided as part of the Saturday tours.
• Events: The winery hosts various special events, including exhibitions, interest group meetings, and is available for birthday or anniversary celebrations.

The Wine

Melbury Vale Vineyard produces a diverse range of handcrafted wines, including still white, rosé, and red varieties, as well as sparkling white and rosé wines. Their selection includes wines such as 'Grace' (sparkling white), 'Decadence' (sparkling rosé), 'Virtue' (still rosé), and 'Exuberance' (still red). They also craft liqueurs, brandy, and aromatised wines on-site.

The vineyard’s wines have received recognition, with their first wine earning a silver medal. Generally, their vines are noted for producing "award-winning, niche, artisan wines".

The on-site winery, completed in 2013, is a testament to sustainable design, featuring a wild flower meadow roof and rainwater harvesting. It was nominated for a design award for its clever integration into the rolling hillside terrain. They employ a low-intervention approach in their winemaking and process grapes from their own vineyard as well as other regional vineyards in Dorset.

Getting here

By Car
Melbury Vale Vineyard is conveniently located just off the A350, approximately 1.5 miles south of Shaftesbury. On-site parking is available.

By Public Transport
The nearest railway station is Gillingham (Dorset) Rail Station, which is approximately 5 to 6 miles away. A taxi from the station would be required to reach the vineyard.

What's nearby

• Other Vineyards:
  
• Parhams Vineyard
• Breezy Ridge Vineyard
• Notable Restaurants:
  
• The Pig on the Beach, Studland
• The Bell Inn, Wylye
• Notable Hotels:
  
• Melbury Vale Vineyard offers on-site accommodation, including holiday lodges and a stable-converted holiday-let.
• Notable Attractions:
  
• Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden, Shaftesbury
• Stourhead House and Garden, near Mere