Astley Vineyard

Astley Vineyard: A Historic Family-Run English Vineyard in the Heart of Worcestershire

Tucked away on a quiet country lane in rural Worcestershire, just half a mile from the winding River Severn and ten miles north of the cathedral city of Worcester, sits Astley Vineyard - a family-run, single-estate English vineyard whose story stretches all the way back to 1971. Planted when English wine was still a curiosity rather than a category, Astley has grown from the vision of a determined West Midlands solicitor into one of the most decorated boutique producers in the country. The current custodians, the Haywood family, took over in 2017 and have since combined old-vine heritage with new-world creativity to build a winery whose still whites, sparkling wines, piquette and experimental bottlings now appear on Michelin-starred wine lists and in the pages of Condé Nast Traveller, Decanter, The Telegraph and The Guardian.

A Historic Worcestershire Vineyard

Few English vineyards can claim a half-century of unbroken viticulture, but Astley can. The vineyard sits on what was once a cherry orchard on the Bache family estate at Astley, near Stourport-on-Severn. The site had earlier associations with the trade - the 1840 Tithe map records the land being let to a local brewer, William Proudman of The Hampstall Inn, with the rent going to the poor of nearby Bewdley.

In the late 1960s, West Bromwich solicitor Michael Bache and his wife Betty built a modern family home on the land and, inspired by their love of wine, decided to plant their own vineyard. At the time, only Hambledon and a handful of other growers existed in the UK. Michael researched cool-climate varieties and training methods extensively, establishing not one but three vineyards on the ten-acre estate - hence some historical references to Astley Vineyards. Early plantings included Phoenix, Huxelrebe, Müller-Thurgau, Madeleine Angevine and Kerner, the last of which became the signature grape of the estate.

Through the 1970s, the vineyard was as much a leisure destination as a working farm. Family stories recall a tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool and a steady supply of home-made wine making the property a popular party venue. At the time of planting, Astley was widely regarded as the most northerly vineyard in the world.

The Bache family ran the vineyard until the early 1990s, when it was bought by Jonty Daniels, a Cambridge-educated agronomist and farm manager from Hertfordshire. Jonty and his wife Janet professionalised the viticulture, changed training methods, grubbed up under-performing varieties and transformed Astley into a respected wine producer. Under his tenure the wines earned places on Michelin-starred wine lists at Sketch, were recommended by Rick Stein, and were singled out by Jancis Robinson MW. Jonty retired in July 2017 and the vineyard passed to its current owners, the Haywood family.

The Haywood Family

Tim, Bev, Chris and Matleena Haywood - plus Otso the Finnish Lapphund, who handles "guest relations" - now run Astley Vineyard. Tim is the owner and vineyard manager, a retired finance director with a passion for sustainability, nature and the outdoors. Bev manages the business, the tours, the shop offering and the relationships with local producers. Chris is the winemaker and also runs sales, events and online trade; he came to wine via a stint at Harvey Nichols' wine shop, a WSET Level 3 with Distinction, and a Plumpton College winemaking course. Matleena manages the accounts and assists with viticulture.

Sharing Jonty's vision for making the estate a truly special place, the family took the brave step in 2018 of building their own winery just 100 metres from the vines, giving them complete control of the grape-to-glass process. That same year Chris took on the role of winemaker, supported by LEADER funding and mentoring from winemaker Simon Day.

The Estate and Terroir

Astley Vineyard's five-acre vineyard sits on Triassic sandstone loam, eastwards-sloping at 95 metres above sea level. The site is relatively exposed, with rows oriented to maximise airflow, a deep adjacent valley, half a mile to the River Severn, nearby ancient woodland (Shrawley Woods is the largest area of small-leafed lime tree woodland in the country, with Special Scientific Interest status), and the winery and shop just 100 feet away. From this single plot the team produces roughly 7,000 bottles of wine a year - small-batch, boutique and single-estate.

The estate as a whole is managed with biodiversity at its heart. The Haywoods have identified 62 different bird species living on or visiting the site. One third of the vineyard is being dedicated to wildflower meadows as part of an ongoing research partnership with the University of Worcester and the Royal Agricultural University. Old vines are pruned using Simonit & Sirch's world-leading "Gentle Pruning" technique, deadwood is left standing for insects and ground-nesting birds, and a renovated natural pond supports a wide range of wildlife. The vineyard is Visit The Malverns "Green Mark" Certified.

Grape Varieties

Kerner

Kerner is the pride of Astley Vineyard. The vines were planted in 1971, making them as old as the vineyard itself and among the oldest Kerner vines in the country. A cross of Riesling and Trollinger (Schiava) created in Weinsberg in 1929 and released for general cultivation in 1969, Kerner is a vigorous, late-ripening variety with exceptionally thick skins - ideal for marginal climates. At Astley the crown is raised high and the growth trained downwards to expend excess energy and maximise airflow, a technique that takes roughly twice as long per row as any other variety. The wines range from steely and elegant (reminiscent of Riesling or Pinot Blanc) when picked early, to rich and aromatic (Chenin Blanc or Viognier territory) at higher ripeness, with extended skin contact bringing out orange blossom and savoury notes. The 1971 vines are listed on the global Old Vine Registry.

Bacchus

Planted in 2007, Bacchus is one of the UK's premier still white varieties. A cross of Sylvaner and Riesling with Müller-Thurgau in its parentage, it shows fresh green apple and grass when picked early, becoming more elderflower-rich and rounder as it ripens. Highly approachable, drinkable and reliable, it is a staple of English winemaking.

Madeleine Angevine

Planted in 1979, Madeleine Angevine is a cross of Madeleine Royale and Précoce de Malingre. It is early ripening and produces soft, delicate, floral wines. It is an excellent blending component and shows some promise for ageing. Like the old Kerner block, it is registered on the global Old Vine Registry.

Siegerrebe

Planted in 1996, Siegerrebe is a notoriously difficult variety to establish but thrives at Astley. A cross of Madeleine Angevine and Gewürztraminer, it is a blush, early-ripening variety that shows lychee and passionfruit when picked early, and strawberry and potpourri with extended maceration. In the right vintages it is also left on the vine for an extremely late-harvest style.

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

The vineyard also grows small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, both of which are blended into wines such as Artio and Branwen.

The Wines

Across an average vintage the team produces around 7,000 bottles from the five-acre estate. The focus is still white wine, with sparkling, rosé, piquette, vermouth and the occasional orange or late-harvest wine released when the vintage allows. The current range is available through the cellar door shop and online.

Saint Vincent (Piquette) 2022 - £5.00

Named after the patron saint of winemakers, Saint Vincent is Astley's most outlandish and delicious experiment. Piquette is a historical, low-alcohol (around 6%) grape-based drink made by re-fermenting pressed grape skins rather than juice - bottle-fermented, gently sparkling, and gently cloudy. Astley's 2022 release is a blend of Kerner, Bacchus and Sauvignon Blanc. Decanter's August 2025 tasting note described it as "cloudy lemon with a slight fizz akin to lemon sherbet... seriously quaffable... ideal for a hot day." Sold in 375ml bottles, und disgorged, with natural yeast sediment that can be reintegrated by upturning the bottle before pouring.

Larford - £12.00

Larford is the entry point into the Astley range and one of the most accessible bottles in the cellar door shop.

Severn Vale 2024 - £16.00

A still white named after the valley in which the vineyard sits, the 2024 Severn Vale is a classic mid-range Astley white.

Madeleine Angevine 2023 - £18.00

A soft, floral, early-ripening white from vines planted in 1979. Recommended by the team for drinkers who enjoy Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Kerner 2023 - £18.00

A crisp, refreshing Kerner (97% Kerner, 3% Bacchus) showing apple, ripe citrus and white pepper with the faintest petrolly Riesling character starting to develop. Pairs well with pork, fatty fish or Japanese cuisine.

Artio 2024 [Au Naturel] Half Bottle - £18.00

The half-bottle, Col Fondo-style sibling of the main Artio release - a natural sparkling wine with the yeast still in the bottle, much like a craft cider for wine lovers.

Branwen 2025 - £20.00

Branwen is Astley's rosé, made predominantly from Siegerrebe and Pinot Noir with a touch of Kerner and Sauvignon Blanc. The 2025 vintage is described as "ripe, fruity and dangerously drinkable" - bold, unashamedly pink and intensely strawberry-and-cherry-fruited. Recommended for lovers of Spanish Rosados and deeper rosés.

Sauvignon Blanc - £20.00 (currently sold out)

A pure Sauvignon Blanc from a small planting at the estate.

Brigid 2024 - £20.00

A sweet but refreshing Kabinett-style Kerner (99% Kerner, 1% Bacchus) with 15.1g/L residual sugar, balanced by the variety's naturally high acidity. The team recommend it with cheese, charcuterie or fruity desserts.

Bacchus 2025 - £22.00

The 2025 vintage of the estate's reliable, drinkable Bacchus, with green apple and elderflower notes.

Old Vine Kerner 2017 - £24.00

An old-vine Kerner from the 1971 plantings - a special release from a celebrated vintage. Matthew Jukes called the earlier 2015 version "one of the most iconic and romantic of all English dry white wines... unequivocally English".

Artio 2024 - £26.00 (currently sold out)

Named after the Celtic goddess of the wilderness, Artio is a Traditional Method sparkling blend of Sauvignon Blanc (60%), Bacchus (38%) and Kerner (2%). It spent 12 months on lees and was disgorged in April 2026. Tasting notes include green apple, fresh grapefruit, lemon peel and gooseberry with a dry finish (3.25g/L) and high acidity. Artio won double silver in 2026 at both the Independent English Wine Awards (described as "vibrant, varietally expressive sparkling wine showing clear English vineyard character and strong aromatic definition") and the Wine GB Awards.

Freya 2021 - £28.00

A sparkling Kerner from the 2015 vintage (88 points, Tom Hewson for Tim Atkin MW) - Astley's premium sparkling wine, made only in the best vintages.

Justinius Kerner 2025 - £30.00

The flagship of the range - a named bottling of Kerner released at the top of the price ladder.

Vermouth - £15.00

A house vermouth made from estate-grown grapes, awarded a Bronze Medal at the IEWA 2020 awards.

Gift Voucher for Wine - from £25.00 (range £25 - £500)

A decorative gift card redeemable against wine purchases, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. From 15 July 2026 the vouchers are redeemable against wine only, as the 2026 tour programme is sold out.

Winemaking Philosophy

Built in 2018, the Astley winery is just 100 metres from the vineyard - close enough that grapes can be moved from vine to tank within minutes. Chris Haywood's approach is rooted in the belief that "wine is made in the vineyard, not the winery"; the winemaker's role is to preserve and reflect the beauty of the grapes. The team follows four guiding principles:

• Quality above all else - for such a small vineyard, Astley has a relatively large range because every wine that earns its place is released, even if that means just 70 bottles of something exceptional.
• Minimal intervention - wines are never fined and unnecessary additions are avoided. Each variety, tank and vintage is treated differently.
• Experimentation - three orange wines (two with no sulphites), an unusual Sec sparkling wine and the piquette Saint Vincent have all been released. Chris has placed Astley wines on Michelin-starred wine lists across the country.
• Sustainability - solar PV installed in 2023 has cut energy costs by 66%; used grape skins are mulched or made into piquette; used wine lees have been sent to local restaurants.

Sustainability and Regenerative Tourism

Astley Vineyard sits next to Shrawley Woods and is committed to protecting and enhancing the River Severn valley in which it is set. In March 2026 the estate won the Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards' Regenerative Tourism Award, with judges praising the team's "genuine passion", "deep appreciation for the landscape" and the way regenerative philosophy "flows through every part of the operation". The judges also noted the strong links with local suppliers and the surrounding community.

Key sustainability measures include:

• A partnership with the University of Worcester and Royal Agricultural University on wildflower meadow research, with one third of the vineyard dedicated to wildflowers.
• Organic management as far as possible, with Simonit & Sirch "Gentle Pruning" on the old vines.
• Bird and owl boxes, hedgerow management to protect nesting birds, and standing deadwood for insects.
• A natural pond supporting a wide range of wildlife.
• Recycling of cardboard, glass, plastic and paper; shredding of cardboard into wine packaging; reuse of delivery pallets and old vineyard posts.
• Donation of unwanted corks to local schools and nurseries.
• Solar PV on the winery and warehouse roofs with battery storage (installed 2023) - 66% energy cost reduction.
• Energy-efficient "A" or "B" rated equipment, motion-sensitive outdoor lighting and improved roof insulation.

Local procurement is central to the business: cheese on the tasting tours comes from Croome Cuisine, the visitor benches from Wyre Community Land Trust, the wine labels and website from Worcester-based We Are Beard, and the shop stocks beer from Nothing Bound, gin from Piston Distillery and cider from Little Pomona.

Awards and Press

Astley Vineyard's wines and tours have been widely celebrated in national and international media and at industry competitions.

Tourism Awards

• 2026 - Visit Worcestershire Awards, Regenerative Tourism Award Winner.
• 2024 - Visit Worcestershire Awards, Winner of Winners (Visit England finalists), Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Business of the Year, Highly Commended Visitor Experience of the Year.
• 2022 - Rural Business Awards, National Food & Drink Business of the Year; Visit Worcestershire Awards, Experience of the Year.

Wine Competition Awards

• 2026 - IEWA Silver and Wine GB Silver for Artio 2024.
• 2023 - Wine GB West Awards, Silver Medal and 2nd best still white wine for Madeleine 2022.
• 2020 - IEWA Silver for Old Vine Kerner 2016; Silver for Freya 2017; Bronze for Vermouth 2018.
• 2019 - Wine GB West Silver for Bacchus 2018; Silver for Branwen 2018.
• 2018 - IEWA Gold for Vintage Sparkling Kerner 2014; Silver for Bacchus 2016; Bronze for Old Vine Kerner 2015; IWC Bronze for Bacchus 2016.

Press and Critics

• Tom Hewson for Tim Atkin MW (2022): Sabrinna 2021 - "Best Value English Still Wine" (89 points).
• Jancis Robinson MW (2010): "Superior English Wines... Astley Veritas 2007".
• Decanter (2025): "Piquette 101".
• Forbes (2025): English Wine Country feature.
• Matthew Jukes (2018): Old Vine Kerner 2015 - "one of the most iconic and romantic of all English dry white wines".
• Condé Nast Traveller (2023): The best places to go in the UK & Ireland.
• Wildflower Magazine (2023): "Grape Expectations".
• Delicious Magazine (2021): The best vineyards in the UK you can visit.
• The Drinks Business (2020): Top unusual English and Welsh wines to try.
• The Telegraph (2021): The best vineyards to visit in England & Wales; (2019) The best vineyards to visit in the UK.
• The Guardian (2018): English wines to toast on St George's Day.
• The Independent (2017): "One of the best wines that we wanted to include in our round-up - Astley Veritas from Worcestershire - had already sold out by the time we published."

The estate has also been featured by Farm Business Innovation Show as a keynote speaker (November 2022), by Jeremy Paxman in "Rivers" (Channel 4, February 2017), in Vineyard Magazine (Issue 2, February 2018), in Matthew Jukes' "English Wine Compendium" (March 2018), and on BBC2's "Million Pound Menu" (May 2018).

Vineyard Tours

The flagship experience at Astley Vineyard is the Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting, which costs £40 per person and lasts around two and a half hours. Tours start at 3 pm and finish around 5:30 pm, and cater for a maximum of twenty guests, making them intimate and relaxed.

The tour includes:

• An introduction to Astley Vineyard's history accompanied by a welcome drink.
• A short walk through the beautiful wooded valley to the vineyard.
• A walk and talk amongst the vines, covering grape varieties and basic viticulture.
• A glass of sparkling wine at the pavilion overlooking the vineyard and the Severn Valley.
• A quick look in the winery to talk about basic winemaking, with a glass of piquette.
• A sit-down, guided tasting of three award-winning wines alongside samples of local produce.

Guests are then welcome to stay for a glass of wine on the terrace or in the Wine Garden. The tour route is on uneven, sloped and (in winter) potentially muddy ground, so sturdy shoes are advised - and a 4x4 lift up to the vineyard is available on request for those with mobility issues. The winery and Tasting Room are wheelchair accessible, and assistance dogs are welcome.

Tours run on Saturdays (and occasional Sundays) during the season, roughly March to October. Bookings are made through the online booking system. As of summer 2026, all listed public tours from August through September 2026 are sold out; new dates are expected to be announced for 2027.

Shepherd Hut Stays

Astley offers two self-catering shepherd huts set amongst the vines - The Harvest Hideaway and The Lost Corkscrew. Each sleeps two adults in a double bed with organic cotton bedding, bamboo pillows and duvet, and comes with a fully equipped kitchen (two-plate electric hob, fridge, kettle, toaster, cafetière and cooking essentials), a private bathroom with walk-in shower and heated towel rail, and outdoor seating with a fire pit and charcoal BBQ.

A two-night stay costs £360 per hut; three nights cost £460. Check-in is Friday or Saturday with checkout on Sunday or Monday. The price includes a welcome bottle of wine in the fridge, places on the vineyard tour during the season (Easter to mid-October), and 5% off purchases in the shop. Out of season, hut guests share a private tour with the other hut's guests, or receive two bottles of wine if they would prefer not to tour.

The huts are adults-only (over 18) and pet-free. They are deliberately TV-free, with no Wi-Fi - although free Wi-Fi is available in the Tasting Room a five-minute walk away. Mobile signal varies by network. There is no on-site catering, so guests typically bring a first meal or book ahead at a local pub. The Hampstall Inn is a ten-minute walk by the River Severn; the nearest shops are the Co-op in Areley Kings (six minutes' drive) and Broomfields Farm Shop (ten minutes' drive).

Stays can be booked online, where current availability is shown. Note that the huts are reached via a short unpaved walk from the car park, with three large steps up to the door and no handrails, so they are unfortunately unsuitable for guests with limited mobility or those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Private and Corporate Events

Astley's Tasting Room, terrace and Wine Garden can be hired for private and corporate events for 4 to 20 people. The team host vineyard tours and tastings, relaxed afternoon events, sophisticated evenings and educational talks - either with Astley wines or wines chosen for you. The Tasting Room is intimate and relaxed, with a secluded rural setting, outdoor terrace and garden seating, private parking, a maximum seated capacity of 20 and a projector available.

Pricing is structured simply:

• Small groups (4 - 12): £500 fixed cost.
• Large groups (12 - 20): £500 fixed cost, plus £35 per person above 12.

Hot drinks and simple cold buffets (cheese boards, mezze plates) can be provided, and a new catering pod is available for external caterers. The team can also bring tastings and talks to your venue for hen parties, wine societies and private groups. Recent hosts have included Hampton Manor, DRP Group, Wine GB Regional AGM, Sustainability West Midlands, Shrawley Horticultural Society and several wine societies.

Events and Experiences

Astley Vineyard runs a small programme of public events and tastings in addition to its regular vineyard tours. The 2026 calendar includes Vineyard Yoga & Sparkling Summer Evenings on selected dates in August, with sessions running from 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm on the estate. The vineyard tour Saturdays and Sundays in August and September 2026 are all currently sold out.

All upcoming events can be viewed online, and visitors can sign up to the mailing list for first notice of new tastings.

Visiting Astley Vineyard

Astley Vineyard is on Crundles Lane, Astley, near Stourport-on-Severn in Worcestershire (DY13 0RU), about ten miles north of Worcester and less than twenty minutes from junctions 5 or 6 of the M5. Look for the brown tourism sign on the B4196 between Astley and Shrawley.

The cellar door shop is open Friday to Saturday, 10:30 am to 4 pm, and closed Sunday to Thursday. During the winter months (January to February) the shop is closed, although online orders are still processed and appointments can be arranged. Access to the vineyard itself is by appointment only; the team can be reached by email at office@astleyvineyard.co.uk or by phone on 01299 822907. There is a large loose-gravel car park directly in front of the Tasting Room, with a drop-off point next to the entrance. Well-behaved dogs and children are welcome in the shop, though not on the vineyard tours; assistance dogs are welcome everywhere.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the Tasting Room, and there is no café or restaurant on site, though the team are happy to share their personal recommendations for the surrounding area. For eating, the team love Broomfields of Holt (rural farmshop and café), Faun in Malvern, Maneki Ramen in Worcester and Quayside in Stourport. For drinking, they recommend Nothing Bound and Hop Lords bottle shops, The New Inn at Shrawley, Tonic and Firefly in Worcester. For places to stay nearby, Nest at Winnall, Rowley Farm and Cottage in The Wood are personal favourites. Local attractions include Witley Court, Shrawley Woods, the Malvern Hills, Worcester Cathedral and the Severn Valley Railway.

Shop Online and Delivery

Wines, gift vouchers and merchandise can be ordered through the online shop, with delivery across the UK mainland by Royal Mail. Postage and packing depends on bottle count: £6 for 1 - 2 bottles, £9 for 3 - 5 bottles, £12 for 6 - 12 bottles and £15 for 13 or more bottles. Gift vouchers are sent at a flat £1.50. Orders are normally dispatched within five working days.

Free local delivery is available within 12 miles of the vineyard with a £40 minimum spend, and free collection from the cellar door during shop hours is also available. At present the team only ship to UK mainland addresses.

Plan Your Visit

Astley Vineyard is one of the most compelling destinations in the English wine calendar: an ancient Kerner block, an experimental winemaker, an award-winning tour, and a deeply regenerative approach to land and community. Whether you arrive for an afternoon vineyard tour, a long weekend in a shepherd hut, or simply to stock up on Bacchus, Old Vine Kerner and piquette from the cellar door, the Haywood family - and Otso the Finnish Lapphund - offer a warm welcome.

The winery is active on Facebook and Instagram, with independent reviews available on Tripadvisor.