Adgestone Vineyard: The Oldest Continuously Operating Vineyard in the UK
Perched on a sun-soaked, south-facing chalk slope above the Solent, Adgestone Vineyard is one of the most singular wineries in Britain. Founded in 1968, it is the oldest continuously operating commercial vineyard in the United Kingdom, and the original plantings of Seyval Blanc from that very first year are still in the ground - making them the oldest commercial vines in the country. Run today by husband-and-wife team Philippa and Russ, the 10-acre estate near Brading on the Isle of Wight is part vineyard, part farm, part seaside garden and part music venue, producing a range of award-winning English wines and the world-famous blue sparkling cuvée Something Blue.
A Brief History of Adgestone Vineyard
The story of Adgestone stretches back long before 1968. It is thought that the Romans were growing vines on these very slopes some 2,000 years ago, and in the winter of 2013, current owners Philippa and Russ planted 120 new vines at the nearby Brading Roman Villa - just 200 metres down the road - to rejoin the estate's ancient viticultural ties.
Modern Adgestone began when a pioneering gentleman called Ken Barlow scoured the south coast of England looking for the perfect vine-growing location. He settled on a chalky, south-facing slope on the Isle of Wight and planted the first vines in 1968. Few English vineyards planted in the late 1950s and 60s survived; many were grubbed up because they were not commercially viable. Adgestone's original Seyval Blanc vines are still in production, which the team is quietly proud of: "None of that Trigger's broom with '5 new handles and 3 new heads' stuff!"
The current era began when Philippa - a former corporate tax lawyer - and Russ - an eccentric engineer with a head full of ideas - took over the estate. "So, what do you get when you cross a bored Corporate Tax Lawyer with an eccentric Engineer who has a whole load of crazy ideas? It could be the start of a Christmas cracker joke, but it's not." The result is blue wine, chilli sauces with flaming bottoms, and live music every day you can think of.
Location and Setting
Adgestone sits just inland from the eastern coast of the Isle of Wight, near the village of Brading, with views over the sea toward the English mainland. The vineyard benefits from an almost frost-free microclimate that is rare on English shores, helped by the chalky soils and the six purpose-built subterranean cellars that hold a constant 11°C year-round. Together, these conditions allow the vines to grow without insecticides and the wine to ferment and mature naturally, without the need for additives or hi-tech chemistry.
The vineyard address is:
- Adgestone Vineyard, Upper Road, Brading, Isle of Wight PO36 0ES
Getting there is straightforward for visitors staying anywhere on the Island, but coaches are not permitted down the narrow lane. Dogs are welcome outside on a short lead - the resident chickens, ducks and goats are free-range.
Vine Varieties Grown at Adgestone
Because the Isle of Wight enjoys a relatively mild maritime climate, most of the varieties grown at Adgestone have been selected from countries with similar conditions. The current plantings include:
- Phoenix - blended with Seyval Blanc for the Dry Wight white wine.
- Schönburger - blended with Pinot Noir for the delicate Blush rosé.
- Seyval Blanc - the original 1968 planting, blended with Phoenix for the Dry Wight and contributing the unique nutty finish to the Sparkling Wight.
- Rondo - the backbone of the Full Bodied Red, blended with a hint of Regent.
- Pinot Noir - whole-bunch pressed for the Blush.
- Regent - adds fruitiness to the Full Bodied Red.
- Orion - high acidity and late-ripening, perfect for the Something Blue cuvée.
The English Still Wines
All of Adgestone's English wines are grown, produced and bottled on the estate. They are all vegan and very low in sulphite - the team jokes that this means a much lower chance of the dreaded wine headache. Still wines are sold in 75cl bottles at £15.45 each, with the Full Bodied Red at £16.95.
Dry Wight - £15.45
The award-winning Dry Wight is a blend of Seyval Blanc and Phoenix. With distinct aromas of fresh green apple and citrus, it is clean, crisp and light on the palate. 11% ABV.
Oaked Wight - £15.45
Buttery and soft, with the gentle vanilla of lightly toasted French oak. If you enjoy an oaked Chardonnay but prefer something softer, the Oaked Wight fits the bill. 10.5% ABV.
Blush - £15.45
A light, fresh rosé made from Pinot Noir and Schönburger. Lychee in colour, with ripe fruit aromas and soft citrus notes, the team calls it "simply irresistible on a hot day." 10% ABV.
Full Bodied Red - £16.95
A rich blackberry and caramel nose, with a distinct blend of fruit and smoked oak on the palate. An English rarity and an award winner - black grapes need lots of sun, and the Isle of Wight delivers. 11.5% ABV.
Country Wines
Beyond the grapes, Adgestone has planted 600 young trees and shrubs around the vineyard as windbreaks - every one of them with a mind to making delicious fruit wines. These pure, naturally fermented country wines take around ten months to mature in tank before bottling, and because they are seasonal, stocks may vary.
Kinda Lingers - £15.45
Sweet and rich, with the unmistakable flavour of rhubarb and custard, made with Adgestone's own rhubarb. "All the girls love Kinda Lingers."
Ginger Wine - £15.45
Grown at the vineyard, this is a match for any sweet ginger lover. Drink neat, with a splash of whisky, or use it in a Ginger Mule cocktail with vodka, ginger beer, lime and mint. 11.5% ABV.
Sparkling Wines
Every bottle of Adgestone's sparkling wine is made from the estate's own grapes using the traditional method - a true labour of love. Sparkling wines are priced at £35.50 for the two classic cuvées, and £42.45 for the flagship Something Blue.
Sparkling Wight - £35.50
Gold-medal-winning crisp sparkling English wine made from a blend of the finest estate grapes. It has a clean floral nose, and the chalk-grown 1968 Seyval Blanc vines contribute a curious and unique nutty finish. 10.5% ABV.
Sparkling Red - £35.50
A full-bodied sparkling red with a rich mouthfeel, summer-fruit aromas, a hint of spice and a dry finish. Serve cold with BBQ meats or cheese. This is the Glass of Bubbly international wine awards gold medal winner and 2025 Light and Fruity trophy. 11.5% ABV.
Something Blue - The Only Blue Sparkling Wine in the UK
Adgestone's most famous wine is Something Blue - a unique, lightly bubbling cuvée, and the only blue sparkling wine made in the United Kingdom. Made wholly from English grapes grown at Adgestone Vineyard, it is also the only blue sparkling wine in the world produced by the Méthode Traditionale. 12.5% ABV, low sulphite, £42.45 per bottle.
The Cuvee's natural blue/turquoise colour was inspired by the Isle of Wight's crystal-clear waters and Mediterranean-like warm climate. Every bride wants "something blue" for her wedding, and what better way to honour that tradition than toasting the marriage with a flute of Something Blue? It is also the perfect way to usher in the New Year, or to surprise dinner guests. If you're lucky, you may even find natural crystals in the bottle that reflect the sea's beauty.
The exact process for extracting blue from the skins of black grapes remains a closely guarded secret. As the team put it: "anything is possible when an eccentric engineer lets his creative wiles run free in the wine making process." Free shipping is offered on orders of six bottles or more across the UK mainland.
Liqueurs (20cl, 18% Vol)
Adgestone's liqueurs are all made by hand on the estate. The team describes them as "sweet, sticky and a bit naughty" - drink them neat, pour them over a latte, or turn an ice cream dessert a bit cheeky. Each 20cl bottle is priced at £12.50.
- Almond - "liquid marzipan in a bottle." Mix with Cherry liqueur to make the perfect Cherry Bakewell.
- Lemon - a classic Italian-style lemon liqueur without the sharp finish; delicious after dinner.
- Cherry - a delicious bite of fresh black cherry; drink alone or mix with the Almond to make a Cherry Bakewell.
- Chocolate - smooth, rich, sweet and "yummy".
- Coffee - rich sweet coffee flavour; try mixing with the Chocolate liqueur for a naughty mocha.
There's also a Single Bottle Wooden Presentation Box for £8.50, branded with the Adgestone Vineyard logo - ideal as a gift.
Tours and Wine Tastings - The Grape to Glass Experience
Adgestone's signature offering is its self-guided Grape to Glass experience. Bookings are not required - just turn up and enjoy yourself. Tours run on the same Wednesday-to-Sunday opening pattern as the vineyard itself.
Vineyard and Cellars Tour - £12
Around one hour long. With the latest in digital audio technology, visitors are guided around the 10-acre site amongst the many varieties of vines, learning all aspects of viticulture, the growing season and the history leading up to modern English wines. The tour then descends into one of the last remaining subterranean commercial cellars, where visitors see the fermentation vats, bottling equipment, the grape press and the labelling process.
Full Wine Tasting Lesson - £15
A 20-minute session that turns visitors into expert sommeliers. You'll learn tasting techniques, what to look for in English wines, and have the chance to sample the full Adgestone range. "You'll be swirling and slurping before you know it… just try not to laugh too much on the first few attempts."
The Whole Vineyard Experience - £22
The best-value combination: the one-hour vineyard and cellars tour plus the 20-minute tasting lesson.
Because no booking is required, simply arrive during opening hours and ask at the counter. Note that coaches are not allowed down the narrow lane to the vineyard.
Food at the Vineyard
Adgestone's al fresco bistro serves a generous menu of cold plates, salads and seafood designed to pair with the wines. Food service resumes for Spring 2026 after the winter break. Sharing platters are the speciality, served on natural slate, alongside nachos, olives, stuffed vine leaves and oiled ciabattas.
Highlights from the menu include:
- Olives - Queen olives with garlic, rosemary and sundried tomatoes - £5.50
- Tortilla Chips - Lightly salted, smoked paprika dusted, served with the signature Arson Fire Dipping Sauce - £5.50
- Ciabatta & Oil - Warm ciabatta basted in rosemary and garlic oil - £5.50
- Arson Fire Dirty Nachos - Warm tortilla chips with gooey cheese sauce, melted cheese, soured cream and Arson Fire Dipping Sauce, with jalapeños - £14.00 / £21.00
- Meat Charcuterie Board - Beef pastrami, salami, Ardennes pâté and pork pie, with stuffed vine leaves, warm ciabatta, queen olives, balsamic dipping oil, chutney and Arson Fire Dipping Sauce - £20.00 / £31.00
- Ardennes Pâté - with caramelised red onion chutney, queen olives, dressed salad and warm ciabatta - £18.50
- Pint of Shell-On Prawns - Atlantic shell-on prawns with dressed salad, dips and warm ciabatta - £26.00
- Arson Fire Houmous - Homemade houmous drizzled with Arson Fire Dipping Sauce and Chilli Oil, with pitta, tortilla chips and salad - £16.00
- Cheese Ploughman's - Brie, stilton and mature cheddar with stuffed vine leaves, queen olives, grapes, pickles, crackers and Arson Fire Raspberry Chilli Jam - £19.00 / £30.50
- Artichoke & Roast Pepper Salad (v) - with pitta, houmous, olives, stuffed vine leaves, lemon mayonnaise, red pepper aioli and Arson Fire Dipping Sauce - £17.00
- Seafood Platter - Local whole crab, crevettes, smoked salmon, shell-off prawns, lightly pickled cockles, queen olives, wakame and dips, with warm ciabatta - £48.00
- Bahamian Salad - Conche-style salad of onion, tomato, peppers, cucumber and habanero chillies, with orange and lime - Vegan £15.00, with Atlantic Prawns £18.50, with Octopus £20.50
- Oysters - Six for £24.00, Twelve for £48.00, served on ice with lemon wedges and a choice of Mignonette or Tabasco
Wines by the glass (175ml) are priced from £7.00 to £9.50. Adgestone liqueur shots (25ml) are £4.50, including Arson Fire. Isle of Wight Mermaid Distillery gin, vodka, pink gin, zest gin and spiced rum are available from £8.00 a 25ml serve. Draught Offshore lager and Cool River cider are £4.00 / £6.50, with local Island Ale at £6.50 per 500ml bottle.
Live Music at Adgestone
During the summer, the vineyard hosts free live acoustic music every day from Wednesday to Sunday, between 1pm and 3pm. The bandstand sits among the vines on the raised decking area with sea views, and tables fill up quickly - the team advises arriving by 12.30pm if you want to be sure of a seat on music days.
The 2026 schedule includes (events from 6 August 2026 onwards):
- Thursday 6 August - Ben Stubbs
- Friday 7 August - Dave Priddle
- Saturday 8 August - JC & Angelina
- Sunday 9 August - Dave Priddle
- Wednesday 12 August - Jake James
- Thursday 13 August - Ben Stubbs
- Friday 14 August - Bonnie & Steve
- Saturday 15 August - The Hooleys
- Sunday 16 August - Hollow Creek Band
- Wednesday 19 August - Jake James
- Thursday 20 August - Sunny & Nik
- Friday 21 August - Dave Priddle
- Saturday 22 August - The Alberts
- Sunday 23 August - Black Daniels
- Wednesday 26 August - Jake James
- Thursday 27 August - Ben Stubbs
- Friday 28 August - Greg Barnes
- Saturday 29 August - JC & Angelina
- Sunday 30 August - Black Daniels
- Saturday 5 September - Hollow Creek Band
- Sunday 6 September - Offshore Duo
- Saturday 12 September - The Hooleys
- Sunday 13 September - Offshore Duo
For the latest schedule, see the Adgestone Vineyard live music page.
Arson Fire Chilli Products
Adgestone is also home to Arson Fire, the Isle of Wight chilli brand started in 2008 when five-year-old Ellie helped her dad make a sauce using a naga chilli and whatever fruit was in the fridge. Ten years later, Arson Fire was revived with the same recipe and has since grown into a full range of chilli sauces and preserves, including the signature Arson Fire Dipping Sauce, Arson Fire Chilli Oil and Arson Fire Raspberry Chilli Jam - all featured on the food menu. The full range is sold through the sister company at arsonfire.co.uk and is also stocked in the vineyard shop.
The Vineyard Shop
The on-site shop stocks the full range of Adgestone Wines, Country Wines and Liqueurs, plus Isle of Wight produce and souvenirs, honey, candles and the full Arson Fire chilli range. Online orders are dispatched using a Royal Mail 48-hour weekday service (or Parcelforce for larger orders) and free shipping is offered on orders of six bottles or more to UK mainland addresses. Payment is taken securely via Stripe.
Because Adgestone's wines are very low in sulphite, the team urges customers not to leave parcels in hot cars - heat can quickly damage the wine. They recommend storing bottles between 6°C and 14°C, out of direct sunlight.
Visiting Adgestone Vineyard
Adgestone is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours are 10am to 4.30pm Wednesday to Saturday, and 11am to 4.30pm on Sundays. There is no entry fee, no booking required for tours or dining, and well-behaved dogs are welcome outside on a short lead.
Contact details:
- Phone: 01983 402882
- Sales email: sales@adgestonevineyard.co.uk
- Bookings email: bookings@adgestonevineyard.co.uk
- Address: Adgestone Vineyard, Upper Road, Brading, Isle of Wight PO36 0ES
You can also follow the vineyard on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Why Adgestone Matters
What makes Adgestone truly special is the combination of heritage and personality. The original 1968 Seyval Blanc vines are still producing fruit. The wines are vegan and very low in sulphite. The blue Something Blue cuvée is genuinely one-of-a-kind, not just in the UK but in the world. And the family-run team has created something that feels less like a corporate winery and more like a much-loved farm - complete with goats, chickens, a vineyard dog called Beau, and a stream of free live music through the summer.
Whether you're a serious wine lover curious to see England's oldest commercial vines, a couple planning a wedding toast, or a family looking for a relaxed afternoon among the vines with platters, music and sea views, Adgestone Vineyard is one of the Isle of Wight's genuine hidden gems.