Amber Valley Vineyards - Award-Winning Regenerative Wines & Orchard Experiences in the Heart of Derbyshire
Nestled on the western flank of the Amber Valley in the little village of Wessington, just to the east of the Peak District in Derbyshire, Amber Valley Vineyards is one of England’s most distinctive boutique wineries. Planted by hand in 2012 by owner and vigneron Barry Lewis and his family, the vineyard and adjoining heritage apple orchard are run on deeply ecological, regenerative principles - and have quietly collected international awards for the wines, ciders and experiences that emerge from them.
What makes a visit to Amber Valley Vineyards feel different from the average English winery tour is the place itself. The site is a patchwork of south-facing vine rows, a half-acre heritage orchard, an ancient hay meadow, restored wildflower meadows, mature hedgerows and an emerging pocket-rainforest project at their Doehole vineyard - all wrapped around a sustainably built Orchard Pavilion made from locally sourced Douglas Fir and larch. Add in orchard markets, a Forest Bathing programme, supper-club evenings, traditional Wassailing, and a pair of holiday cottages eight miles away in Belper, and you begin to see why a visit here is closer to a countryside experience than a quick tasting.
Location, Setting and How to Find Them
The Cellardoor shop and tasting room is at Back Lane, Wessington, DE55 6DL, on the outskirts of the village. You can pinpoint the gateway using the what3words reference // joked.scarcely.toasted. Wessington sits in the lovely Amber Valley, with views across the valley, easy reach of the Peak District, and is just a few miles from the market town of Alfreton. The vineyard itself is a small ‘Little Vineyard’ overlooking the Amber Valley from the south, sheltered and ideal for cool-climate viticulture.
The Cellardoor is open to the public Saturday afternoons from 1pm until 4pm, February through to Christmas (closed in January). Outside of those hours the team are happy to welcome visitors by appointment. The company’s registered office is at 2 King George Street, Alfreton, DE55 6DZ. The business is registered as Amber Valley Wines Ltd (Company No. 07610146, VAT GB 113 0783 48). For any enquiries the team can be reached by email at hello@ambervalleywines.co.uk or by phone/text on 07920 484207.
A Family Vineyard Built on Regenerative Viticulture
Amber Valley Vineyards is, at heart, a small family business. Barry and his family planted their first vines in 2012, having moved away from the conventional ploughing, rotovating and herbicide regime that most UK vineyards still rely on. The shift came when Barry realised the more they sprayed and cultivated under the vines, the worse the soil and the vines became. They stopped spraying, stopped tilling, planted grass and wildflowers under the rows, and saw rapid improvements in vine health, fruit quality and biodiversity. Today they describe their approach as regenerative viticulture - working with nature rather than against it.
In practice that means:
- No chemical herbicides or pesticides, and a move away from copper-based sprays.
- No cultivation under the vines - a living sward of grasses and wildflowers is left to grow.
- Alpaca manure as the only ‘input’, high in potassium and phosphates, low in nitrogen and seed-free.
- Sheep grazing late in the season to keep the undervine tidy.
- Wildflower meadows and species-rich hedgerows surrounding the vineyard to bring in beneficial insects and pollinator networks.
- Power for the cellar, lighting and tools is generated by wind and solar, stored in batteries - the business is close to being net zero.
The vast majority of varieties grown are Piwis and hybrids - disease-resistant crossings that suit the cooler, damper UK climate and need fewer interventions. In the cellar, minimal intervention winemaking (including natural ferments, no filtering or fining) and vegan-friendly practices produce wines that are deeply expressive of the site.
The Doehole Pocket Rainforest Project
At the Doehole vineyard, a sheltered, steep-sided hollow below the vines has the hallmarks of a cool temperate Atlantic rainforest: ancient oaks, alders and willows, an old holloway, and abundant mosses, lichens, liverworts and ferns. Working with the University of Derby Department of Biological Sciences and inspired by sites such as Padley Gorge nearby, the team are restoring and expanding this habitat - planting native birches, willows, rowans, oaks, polypody ferns, hart’s tongue ferns and spleenworts, and registering the trees on the Derbyshire County Council Million Trees project.
Visitors and supporters can back this work through the Buy a Tree or Support our Pocket Rainforest Project product in the online shop. A single £5 tree is said to sequester around 3.7 tons of CO2 over its 40-year lifespan.
The Heritage Apple Orchard & Wessington Pomona
Alongside the vineyard sits a half-acre heritage apple orchard planted in 2011, home to 49 trees on MM106 rootstocks and believed to be one of only two orchards outside the National Collection in Kent and Chatsworth House that holds every known Derbyshire apple variety. Varieties include Beeley Pippin, Belledge Pippin, Newton Wonder, New Bess Pool, Lamb’s Seedling and others, with grafts of the famous Isaac Newton tree from Woolsthorpe Manor.
In winter 2025/26 the team added a much larger Agroforestry Orchard - 180 trees on MM106 and M25 rootstocks, including heritage dessert and culinary apples (Cox’s Orange Pippin, Egremont Russet, Bramley’s Seedling, Worcester Pearmain, James Grieve, Katy, Spartan, Discovery and many more), traditional cider apples (Kingston Black, Dabinett, Black Dabinett, Yarlington Mill, Sweet Alford, Porter’s Perfection, Red Stoke), and a clutch of perry pears (Barnet, Moorcroft, Oldfield, Thorn). Vines will be trained on selected trees to test vineyard-orchard integration, while beehives and wildflower meadows will support pollinators and natural pest control.
This orchard underpins both the cider and the long-running Wessington Orchard Markets, held in the orchard since 2020. The full varieties and history form the Wessington Pomona, an ongoing record of the orchard and its trees.
The Wines
Amber Valley Vineyards is unapologetic about quality over quantity. “We don’t do many wines but we do them very, very well indeed.” The current line-up includes a still white, a still pink, a still red, a sparkling white and a sparkling pink, plus the signature Amber Wine - an ‘orange wine’ made the ancient way, with extended skin contact, natural yeasts and no filtering or fining. All wines are vegan-friendly.
Lindway Brook 2022 Pink Brut - £40
Limited-edition sparkling rosé made predominantly from Seyval Blanc with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Auxerrois. Pink rose petal in colour with aromas of strawberry shortcake and a palate of strawberries, summer berries, shortbread, mango, pomegranate and stony minerality, with a long lees age of at least 31 months and a low dosage. 12% ABV, vegan friendly. Available to buy online.
Lindway Brook 2021 Vintage Cuvée Brut - £39
A 500-bottle limited release white sparkling wine based on Seyval Blanc with a small proportion of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Auxerrois. White stone fruit, baked apple, citrusy lemon-cheesecake notes and a fine mousse, with 18 months on lees and a low dosage. The label art - ‘Harvest Light’, a painting of Doehole vineyard by acclaimed Derbyshire landscape artist Jenny Aitken - is used across the Lindway Brook range. Available to buy online.
Amara Pinot Noir Précoce 2023 - £32
The estate’s first red wine, made in collaboration with young winemaker Jack Abbotts of Three Choirs Vineyard from specially selected Midlands-grown Pinot Noir Précoce grapes. Malolactic fermentation in oak, finished with oak chips for gentle vanilla notes. Graceful, aromatic red expressing morello cherries, red and black fruits, spice, vanilla and soft tannins. Alc 12%, vegan friendly. The name ‘Amara’ - meaning grace and immortality - is the family’s great-niece. Available to buy online.
Margot 2022 - £20 (sold out)
A floral, dry-off-dry white from the Amber Valley range - check the shop for current vintage availability.
Amber Wine (orange wine)
The signature wine: a white grape treated like a red, fermented on skins for an extended period, building tannins and a unique fino-like oxidative character. Ancient technique, modern Derbyshire expression.
All wines can be ordered through the online shop for click and collect from the Cellardoor on Saturday afternoons. National deliveries are not currently offered - instead the team offer free local delivery within 10 miles of DE55 on orders over £60, or collection from the Cellardoor.
The Ciders
Two ciders are currently produced entirely from the heritage orchard at Wessington and bottled locally.
Crazy Cat Cider - £6 (500ml)
A dry, small-batch, lightly carbonated still cider crafted by Michelle and Darren at Ashover Cider Co. from the orchard’s heritage and locally significant varieties - Beeley Pippin, Belledge Pippin, Lamb’s Seedling, New Bess Pool, Newton Wonder, Duke of Devonshire, Lord Derby, Black Dabinett, Red Stoke, Northwood and Slack-Ma-Girdle, with cuttings from the original Isaac Newton tree at Woolsthorpe Manor. Bulk discounts are available on 6 (£5.50) and 12 (£5.00) bottles. Buy online.
Fat Cat Fizz Sparkling Cider - £24 (750ml)
A limited release of around 400 bottles from the 2024 harvest, blended from the heritage orchard’s dessert, culinary and traditional cider apples. Light gold in the glass with a refined sparkle; aromas of fresh apple and melon lead into ripe orchard fruit, subtle sweetness and a hint of shortcrust pastry, balanced by soft acidity. 7.3% ABV. Buy online.
The Shop, Hampers & Local Producers
The online shop sells the vineyard’s own wines and ciders, gift experiences, events, food boxes and a curated selection from other local producers, alongside Orchard Market gifts and crafts. A popular seasonal item is the Amber Valley Wessington Orchard Market Hamper - from £74 - packed with artisan cheese, locally cured chorizo, homemade chutney, chocolates, Crazy Cat Cider and a choice of Amber Valley wine.
Vineyard Tours & Tastings
Tours are the heart of the Amber Valley experience and are led personally by Barry Lewis. They last around 1.5 hours (sometimes a little longer with questions) and explore the vineyard year, the trials of growing vines in Derbyshire, and culminate in a tasting of at least three wines plus a cider - and up to five wines plus cider depending on group pace.
Scheduled Vineyard Tour Experiences 2026
Public, bookable tours run on selected dates from April through to early October 2026, with three time slots: 11am, 2pm and a Sunset Tour at 6pm or 7pm with arrival drink and an informal twilight tasting around the orchard pavilion.
- Standard ticket: from £25 per person (under 18s free).
- Sunset Tour: £30 per person including arrival drink.
- Group discounts on larger bookings, with a 10% tour-guest discount on wine purchases.
Tours run outdoors - bring weather-appropriate clothing - though the safari-lodge style Orchard Pavilion, the stables Cellardoor and large gazebos provide cover when needed. Picnic and Cream Tea boxes can be added at checkout. Book a tour online.
Gift Tour Experience Certificates
For £43.33 you can gift a tour and tasting for two on any 2026 scheduled date, valid for 12 months. Options include adding a bottle of still wine to take away, a Picnic Box or Cream Tea Box for two, a Sparkling Cream Tea Box with English sparkling wine, or upgrading to a Sunset Tour with arrival drink. Available to purchase online; certificate is delivered as a PDF by email.
Private & Corporate Tours
For birthdays, hen and stag dos, team away-days and corporate entertaining, Amber Valley Vineyards hosts private tours for up to 35 guests (subject to a minimum booking). Options include a sparkling wine welcome, guided wine experience, picnic or cream tea boxes, sharing platters or canapés. Prices:
- From £40 per person (minimum 4 people).
- From £30 per person (minimum 7 people).
- Discounts available for larger groups.
Enquire by emailing hello@ambervalleywines.co.uk.
Food Boxes to Add to Your Tour
Extend the visit with a locally sourced Picnic or Cream Tea Box, prepared by Wendy at Honey Bee Bistro in Ripley, with meats from Paul Walker Butchers, free-range eggs from Heage Eggs and other local deli items. Boxes for two are £33.33 (vegan and gluten-free £35), with single-person boxes available from £16.67. Add the box to your basket and quote your tour date at checkout - but allow at least 7 days’ notice for catering. Full dietary details are available on request.
Events Calendar 2026 & Beyond
Amber Valley Vineyards runs a packed year-round programme. Upcoming highlights include:
Wessington Orchard Markets
Monthly Saturday markets from April to October, plus the popular Midsummer Night’s Market and a Twilight Autumn Market. Confirmed upcoming dates:
- Saturday 29 August 2026, 10am - 3pm - the key artisan market of the year with live music, chorizo and tapas from Casa Gomez, breads from Strettea Bakery, wood-fired pizza from The Roaming Kitchen, Indian street food, vegan bakes from Vegan with Josie, Sicilian street food and the launch of Wessington Wild Cat Cider 2025 and (hopefully) the 2025 Millstone.
- Saturday 19 September 2026, 10am - 3pm.
- Saturday 3 October 2026 - Twilight Orchard Market (provisional).
Dog friendly (on leads), accessible parking by request, and the orchard pavilion bar serves Amber Valley wines and ciders.
English County Summer Supper & Wine
The flagship supper-club evening in the orchard returns. Saturday 4 July 2026, 6.30pm, with a buffet-style menu of refined British dishes from the Butlers Pantry team, paired with Amber Valley wines and ciders (included). £65 per person. Tickets via the shop.
Country Wild Butchery Event
Chef Ralph Skripek, ‘The Derbyshire Wild Chef’, demonstrates a full skinning and breakdown of a deer carcass, followed by a charcoal BBQ feast of freshly butchered venison and locally sourced sides, paired with Amber Valley wines and ciders. Saturday 26 September 2026, arrive 5pm for 5.30pm start. £65 per person, limited places. Tickets via the shop.
Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)
From January 2026 Amber Valley began hosting a small-group, science-informed Forest Bathing programme in the orchard and vineyard. Sessions are gentle, largely silent guided walks with pauses for noticing; winter sessions may include a fire pit and hot drink. £25 per person, max group of 6. Book a session - first dates from the new year are available in the shop.
Midsummer Night’s Orchard Market
Thursday 18 June 2026, 6pm - 9.30pm - a free evening market with live music, street food, drink and craft stalls in the orchard. A highlight outside English Wine Week itself.
Orchard Workshops 2027
Now in their fourth year, the pruning and grafting workshops with Mel and Dave of the Leicestershire Heritage Apple Project are a trusted training opportunity for community orchard groups, allotment growers and conservation volunteers.
- Tree Pruning Workshop - Saturday 16 January 2027 and Saturday 13 February 2027, 10am for 10.30am start. £55 per person, max 12. Book the pruning workshop.
- Pear Tree Grafting Workshop - Saturday 6 March 2027, 10am for 10.30am start. £55 per person, max 10. Book the grafting workshop.
- Save £5 by booking both workshops together.
Wessington Wassail
An ancient Celtic orchard tradition revived in Derbyshire, with morris dancers, a Mari Lwyd horse skull, the Apple Tree Man, mulled cider and toast hung in the branches. The team are planning the next Wassail in January 2027 - confirmed dates will be announced in due course.
Fizz ‘n’ Chip Fridays
Short-notice, weather-dependent evenings in the orchard with fish and chips from Wessington’s chippy and Amber Valley wines by the glass. Watch the social channels for the next call.
Weddings at Amber Valley Vineyards
Amber Valley Vineyards is in the process of licensing its beautiful orchard and vineyard as a small, eco-friendly wedding venue. The sustainably built Orchard Pavilion - Douglas Fir and larch, wrapped in the vines and meadow - is intended for couples looking for a natural setting connected to working land, with locally sourced food and drink options. In the meantime, the orchard and pavilion are available to hire for receptions. Interested couples should email hello@ambervalleywines.co.uk for an early conversation.
Stay with Us: Cottages in Belper
Just eight miles from the vineyard, in the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the family owns two adjoining holiday cottages - Frith Cottage and Strutt Cottage - in Belper. Both are full of character, well-equipped and opposite a 13th-century Forester’s Chapel, with views across the Derwent Valley. Guests staying at the cottages who time their visit to coincide with a vineyard tour during the season can enjoy a tour and tasting for two included in their stay. A bottle of wine awaits on arrival. See Derwent Mills Cottages for details and booking.
Wellbeing at the Vineyard
The regenerative management of the estate is the foundation for a growing wellbeing programme, beginning with Forest Bathing and gradually expanding to include yoga in the orchard and other nature-based experiences. Sessions are rooted in simplicity, care for place, and the restorative power of time spent outdoors.
Volunteering & Community Engagement
Amber Valley Vineyards welcomes volunteers for biodiversity work - from invasive species management (Himalayan balsam, bramble, bracken) to tree planting and orchard care. The team is also working with the University of Derby on research projects, hosting MSc and PhD students in regenerative viticulture, soil health, mycorrhizal networks and wooden vineyard posts. Anyone keen to help can contact the team by email, heading their message ‘biodiversity volunteer’. A free discretionary place is also offered for community orchard volunteers on each grafting workshop - see the application form.
The East Midlands Wine Trail
Amber Valley Vineyards is a proud founding member of the East Midlands Wine Trail, a growing collaboration of vineyards across the region celebrating local wine, hospitality and historic places.
Plan Your Visit
Amber Valley Vineyards is one of those rare English wineries that has real depth - a beautiful setting, a serious ecological story, wines of genuine quality, a working orchard, and a calendar of food, drink and nature-based experiences that justify the trip several times a year. Whether you come for a summer tour and picnic, a Christmas Orchard Market, a Forest Bathing morning in January or a workshop to learn how to graft your own pear tree, you’ll find a small team quietly doing something remarkable in the Derbyshire countryside.
- Visit: Cellardoor, Back Lane, Wessington, DE55 6DL. Saturday 1pm - 4pm, February to Christmas.
- Book a tour: Scheduled Vineyard Tour Experiences 2026.
- Shop wines, ciders & gifts: Online shop.
- See upcoming events: Events.
- Contact: hello@ambervalleywines.co.uk / 07920 484207.