Many people still think the sun-soaked vineyards of France, Italy and Spain hold the best of the global wine products, but in less than 20 years, Little Oak Vineyard in the Cotswolds has won awards in some of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Why not discover the company’s highly palatable winning ways with a vineyard visit, including a tour, tastings and even an optional lunch of quality local products.
Lasting 90 minutes, or two hours with lunch, visits include either a walking tour or an indoor introduction, depending on the season. They include insights into the ups, downs, tribulations and triumphs of British viniculture, followed by the chance to sample several delicious wines, which may be aromatic, crisp and refreshing or smooth and full-bodied, depending on weather during the season. The wine tastings are educational but also great fun.
The Little Oak’s Seyval Blanc won a Bronze Medal in the 2019 Decanter competition, followed by a Gold Medal in 2020 with 50 Greatest Sparkling Wines of the World for its outstanding English Sparkling wine. They also make an exquisite brandy and last year planted their first vines for red wine.
Aimed at couples or adult groups of up to 15 people in winter or 30 in summer, the visits can be gifted by e-voucher, enabling recipients to choose their own date.
Many people find them so engaging they take up the opportunity to lease a vine for a year, participating in its care and harvesting and enjoying two bottles of the delicious results, bottled with personalised labels. Lessees are invited to wine tasting events and often renew when the year runs out.
Little Oak Vineyard was founded back in 2005 by owner Steve Wilson, starting with an experimental planting and overcoming challenges from British weather to mildew. Today, supported by his partner and vineyard manager Gemma Riley, the enterprise has over 1700 vines covering a hectare of Cotswold countryside.
