Wraxall Vineyard

Discover a Somerset vineyard with an operatic history, where a former owner famously smuggled Chardonnay vines into England in his socks.

https://www.wraxallvineyard.co.uk

Wraxall, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6RQ. Get directions

Nearest station: Castle Cary (3.8 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Dog friendly

Online shop

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Open year-round

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

What's the vibe

Wraxall Vineyard offers a tranquil and scenic escape, inviting visitors to experience its rustic charm and refined atmosphere amidst spectacular views of the Somerset countryside. It's a place where rural tranquility meets contemporary sophistication, providing a relaxed and informal setting for enjoying English wines.

Visiting information

Tours & Tastings: Vineyard Tours run between April and October on Wednesday to Saturday, while Guided Wine Tastings are available year-round from Wednesday to Saturday. Both require advance booking. For a more casual experience, self-guided tastings are available without pre-booking.Opening Hours: The View@Wraxall, the vineyard's tasting space and wine bar, is open to visitors all year. For specific opening times for the View@Wraxall or cellar door wine sales, it is best to check their homepage or contact the vineyard directly.
Dining: "The View@Wraxall" offers lunch, light bites, and sharing boards featuring locally sourced Somerset produce. They also host special culinary events such as Thursday steak nights and Friday pizza nights. For private gatherings, "The Nook" provides an intimate, covered outdoor dining experience for groups.
Special Events: Wraxall Vineyard frequently hosts a variety of events "On the Vines," including live music, food trucks during their monthly "Session Sunday" in summer, and various talks and workshops. The venue is also available for bespoke celebrations and private events.
Accommodation: The vineyard offers on-site accommodation in three beautifully appointed cottages: Vine Cottage (sleeping up to 8), and two Old Winery Cottages (sleeping 2 and 4 respectively). Additionally, shepherd's huts are set to launch in late summer 2025, offering a glamping experience. A minimum two-night stay typically applies to the cottages.
Dogs & Children: Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the vineyard, though they must be kept on a lead. The cottages are generally child-friendly, with Old Winery Cottage No. 1 suitable for babies in arms, and the larger Vine Cottage accommodating families.

The Wine

Wraxall Vineyard produces a range of acclaimed English wines, including both still and sparkling varieties. Their portfolio features vibrant still wines such as Bacchus and a Bacchus Reserve, as well as an Early Pinot Noir Rosé. They also craft traditional method sparkling wines, including a sparkling white and a recently launched Sparkling Rosé. Key grape varietals grown on the estate include Pinot Noir, Pinot Précoce, Bacchus, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.

Wraxall wines have garnered significant recognition. Their Bacchus Reserve won "Best Bacchus in England & Wales" and "Best Still Bacchus" at the prestigious WineGB Awards in 2024. This wine was also awarded a gold medal at the 2024 WineGB Awards and named "UK's Best Bacchus" and "Best Still Wine from a Southwest Vineyard." The Wraxall Rosé also received a silver medal at the 2023 WineGB Awards and was featured in the Top 100 UK Wines.

The vineyard is committed to sustainability, integrating practices such as planting cover crops to enhance biodiversity and soil health, which reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers. While the vineyard cultivates its own grapes, the winemaking process is handled by Ben Smith at Itasca Wines, a contract winery known for its focus on quality and sustainability.

Getting here

By Car: Wraxall Vineyard is located off the A37, south of Shepton Mallet. On-site parking is available.

By Public Transport: The nearest train stations are Castle Cary, approximately a 10-minute drive away, and Bruton, about a 15-minute drive. It is advisable to pre-book a taxi for transfers from the station to the vineyard.

What's nearby

Somerset's dynamic landscape offers a blend of rural charm and sophisticated attractions near Wraxall Vineyard.

Notable Restaurants:

Osip, Bruton: A Michelin-starred, farm-to-table restaurant renowned for its hyper-seasonal British tasting menus, with most ingredients sourced from their own farm or local suppliers.
Da Costa at Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Bruton: This Italian restaurant, located within the renowned art gallery, offers seasonal Italian fare with an emphasis on local produce.

Notable Hotels:

The Newt in Somerset, Castle Cary: A luxurious country estate featuring magnificent gardens, woodland, and a spa hotel, offering a refined escape amidst nature.
Number One Bruton, Bruton: An elegant boutique hotel set across a Georgian townhouse, medieval forge, and cottages, celebrating Somerset's craft heritage and art.

Notable Attractions:

Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Bruton: A world-class contemporary art gallery and multi-purpose arts centre housed in a former farmstead, featuring exhibitions, events, and a landscaped garden.
The Newt in Somerset, Castle Cary: Beyond its hotel, this extensive estate boasts stunning gardens, woodlands, and a recreated Roman villa experience, with various workshops and activities.