Last Saturday in the middle of May, I visited Daws Hill Vineyard located in the Chilterns near High Wycombe. This is a small family-run winery that makes sparkling wine and sparkling cider. A sparkling rosé, white, and cider is available from the vineyard and to try. The vineyard and winery is at a small scale and hosts volunteers to work in the vineyard throughout the season. When we arrived for the tour, we were given a glass of the sparkling cider to try. I first came across this winery as they were selling their products at the local market in December.
I chatted with another couple, and the set-up is quite small, so we waited for everyone to park and met inside the building where the winery operations are storage are located.
We were given a talk about the history of the winery, how English wines are gaining attention in the wine-making world, and the changing climate. Afterwards, we went out through a pasture to access the vineyard. The vines have come back to life from th winter sleep, and they have started to grow again. The vines must be cut and then managed and tied to the supports.
We were told about the different seasons and the challenges in the weather conditions, wilflife, diseases, and insect damage.
After we returned to the building, we were told about the wine-making process and also got to try some still wine from one of the large stills or vats.
We were also told about the bottling process, which is all done by hand here as it is a small set-up. We also got to try the sparking white and the sparkling rosé.
I purchased a bottle of the sparking white and a candle with a summery scent. The winery also sell candles from some of their bottles.
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