7 minute read
Uncork the best distillers, breweries and vineyards along the Great West Way
Britain is at the top of its game when it comes to crafting beers, wines and spirits, with many of its best producers being along the Great West Way to visit for tours and tastings.
Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Hampshire
A spirit that needs little introduction thanks to its famed sapphire-blue bottle, Bombay Sapphire Distillery is set inside an old Grade II listed paper mill, which has been given a new lease of life. Here, the gin is made using its innovative vapour infusion process that you can learn more about on one of its six tours to choose from, ranging from distillery tours to cocktail masterclasses. Outside, the botanical glasshouses cleverly use hot air from the distilling process to create temperate climates to grow botanicals for the gin.
Bottle to buy: Bombay Sapphire Laverstoke Edition Limited Edition Gin, £25
Bluestone Vineyards, Wiltshire
Near the ancient Stonehenge site, Bluestone Vineyard's name is inspired by the smaller stones at the site known as bluestones. In 2016, the McConnell family planted their first vines and released their first vintage in 2019. Choose from the selfguided tour following a map (£6), the 40-minute Sip and Stroll tour (£20) or the two-hour Signature Tour and Tasting (£30). All can have a sharing lunch platter of locally sourced cheese and charcuterie too.
Bottle to buy: Premier cuvée, £45
Carvers Hill Estate, Wiltshire
As one of the most recently planted vineyards started in 2021, the land at Carvers Hill Estate in Shalbourne is owned by the Smith family. The 16-acres has been turned over to 22,000 vines for chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Last year, a winery and visitors centre was added. This means wine can be made on site and, most importantly, people can taste (and buy) it here too. Both are by appointment only, so be sure to book ahead. Join as a member for elegant summer BBQs in the expansive gardens. Experience exclusive, intimate dinners with some of the world’s most celebrated winemakers, high-calibre chef's nights and so much more.
Bottle to buy: Still a little too early to say!
Ramsbury Distillery and Brewery, Wiltshire
Found near the village of Hungerford, everything The Ramsbury Estate does is with sustainability in mind, from using solar power to refilling its spirit and beer bottles. Its single estate vodka and gin and its range of beers, are made here using grain grown on the estate and chalkfiltered water from its own source. Book The Ramsbury Experience Tour (£95), which includes a 'countryside safari' that showcases some of Wiltshire's best countryside, tastings and lunch at the local pub. Distill your very own gin with your favourite botanicals in the Gin School with your own mini copper pot.
Bottle to buy: Ramsbury Single Estate gin, £41
Winding Wood, Reading
Winding Wood vineyard was born back in 2012 after the owners had the idea of turning a sheep-grazing field into a vineyard. It then became organic and biodynamic in 2021 and has won plenty of awards for its sparkling wines. The owners run small tours themselves at weekends between May and October, which are by appointment only.
Bottle to buy: 2019 Brut Reserve, £34.50
All Angels Vineyard, Berkshire
After the Darley family took over Church Farm back in 2009, they planted vines in 2011 and named the vineyard after the Parish Church, which now produces sparkling wines. Take the 90-minute guided tour through the vines followed by a tasting and a charcuterie, cheese and local smoked trout platter.
Bottle to buy: Premier cuvée, £45
Best of the rest vineyards...
Alder Ridge Vineyard, Hungerford
The first vines went in at Alder Ridge Vineyard in 2011 covering just 10 acres, which has since been extended by another 40 acres in 2022. The newest area is all Chardonnay, making it one of the largest growers in the UK of that grape.
Aldwick Estate Vineyard, Bristol
This family-run 11-acre vineyard at Aldwick Estate has been in the same family for five generations and was first planted in 2008. There's six grape varieties, including bacchus, pinot noir and seyval blanc, and it's Somerset's largest vineyard.
Wraxall Vineyard, Somerset
Home to 50 year-old vines, Wraxall produces excellent whites, rose and reds and its own 'Somerset sparkling'. There's tours and tastings, plus its own restaurant and ad-hoc music, food trucks and yoga events, too.
Breweries in Berkshire
England's brewing scene is a vibrant mix of historic breweries and innovative craft beer makers. Berkshire has a rich history of brewing: the region's fertile land has always been suitable for growing barley, a key ingredient in beer, and there's evidence of brewing activities dating back centuries here.
Renegade Brewery (formerly West Berkshire Brewery)
Independent brewery Renegade Brewery started life in 1995, and was formerly known as the West Berkshire Brewery. It rebranded in 2022 and has a tap room, kitchen and shop, and creates a range of beers from classic bitters and stouts to the more modern peach lagers and alcoholfree IPAs.
Loddon Brewery
On a farm just one mile from Reading, family-owned artisan Loddon Brewery has its own spacious tap room and distillery tours on Saturday nights. Here, Loddon beers on draught are rotated and there's always a special and a cider or two on. Plus, it serves food from its own kitchen using locally-sourced ingredients.
Reading Mysterious Brewing Company
The Reading Mysterious Brewing Company is a small craft brewery celebrating both traditional beers and innovation too with its hop-forward approach to brewing, which it creates in cask, keg and cans.
The Bath Brew House, Bath
This microbrewery in the city centre has been brewing up its own unique creations since 2013, which have won multiple awards. Book brewery tours and experience days to get behind the scenes on how they make everything from cask ales, crisp lagers, rich stouts, craft beers and hoppy IPAS.
Wiper and True, Bristol
As one of the city's best known breweries, recognisable for its white and gold designs, this is the perfect behind the scenes tour for its fans. Kick the weekend off properly with one of its Friday night tours, then afterwards, enjoy a pint of your favourite brew in the tap room, and get the chance to try something new.
Best of the rest...
Wadworth Brewery, Wiltshire
Celebrating 150 years of business, the family-run Wadworth Brewery is now in the hands of its fifth generation. With kegs, lagers and cask ales, it produces ales from amber to session, golden to gluten free, and even a rum-infused ale.
Bristol Beer Factory, Bristol
With a brand new brewery, which has moved just half a mile down the road from its North Street location of 20 years, you can taste all six beers on the tour, and finish with a pint of your favourite at the end in the tap room.
Bristol Brewery Tours, Bristol
The Bristol Brewery Tours boat trip gives a different perspective of the city from the water, while tasting great beers and delving into the city's brewing past. It also includes a brewery tour, plenty of tastings along the way and finishes with lunch and, most likely, more beer.
Find out more: greatwestway.co.uk
