The Dell Vineyard: Award-Winning Family-Run Welsh Wines in Monmouthshire
Tucked into the rolling Monmouthshire countryside just outside the village of Raglan, The Dell Vineyard is one of Wales’ most exciting boutique wine producers. Run by husband-and-wife team Dan and Lucy Alford, this small, family-run estate is turning heads in the cool-climate wine world with a clutch of awards, a string of five-star visitor reviews and a portfolio of expressive Welsh still, rosé and sparkling wines that capture the character of the land around them.
Spread across nearly 8,000 vines on five acres - including the family farm Dan’s family has worked for five generations - The Dell produces wines from grape varieties that thrive in the Welsh climate: Pinot Noir, Solaris, Phoenix, Reichensteiner, Schönburger, Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Noir and Pinot Meunier. Bottles can be bought online and shipped across the UK, while visitors can taste them by the glass on the lawn in summer, book onto a guided vineyard tour, or join one of the estate’s increasingly popular weekend food pop-ups with live music.
The Story Behind The Dell
The story of The Dell Vineyard is a five-generation Welsh farming story with a very modern twist.
Dan’s family has worked the land around Raglan since the late 1800s, and the farm - known simply as “The Dell” - was once glebe land belonging to the nearby vicarage of St Cadoc’s Church. The name comes from the Welsh word for a secluded grassy hollow or dried streambed; the stream Nant y Wilcae still runs past the vineyard in winter before drying up in summer. Over the centuries the fields have grown crops and grazed livestock, but it was Dan and Lucy who saw the potential to add vines.
Lucy and Dan met in 2005 when they both moved from Monmouthshire to Bristol for university. They married in 2013 and spent six months travelling around the Southern Hemisphere on their honeymoon. It was on that trip they fell in love with wine and began quietly talking about one day owning a vineyard - the sort of dream most people file away for retirement.
The pandemic changed everything. Working on the ICU frontline during COVID, Lucy felt the pull to take a new direction in life. Within three weeks of deciding to make the leap, the couple had leased the Pen-y-Clawdd vineyard near Monmouth and begun preparing to plant their own vines on Dan’s family farm. In May 2022 they planted the main vineyard at The Dell with Pinot Noir and Solaris, which produced their first grapes in autumn 2024. A second planting in spring 2024 added Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Noir and Pinot Meunier, taking the total to nearly 8,000 vines across five acres.
Along the way the couple also added a daughter, Poppy, to keep elder brother Rowan company.
A Logo Drawn From Local Legend
The Dell’s logo features Raglan Castle, the 15th-century fortress just over the hill to the north of the village. Its builder, William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, made his fortune importing Bordeaux wines via Bristol, Chepstow, the Wye Valley, Monmouth and the River Usk. Welsh poems of the time celebrate the extravagant feasts the Earl held, and historians believe his cellars were stocked with a mix of white, red and claret wines - the last made in a style closer to today’s rosé.
For a Welsh vineyard planted within sight of a castle built on the wealth of the medieval wine trade, the connection feels particularly apt.
Wines From The Dell
Every wine in The Dell’s range is named after a figure from Welsh mythology, giving the labels a clear sense of place. The full 2025 line-up is available to buy online with UK-wide shipping.
Y Lleidr 25 - Rosé - £22.00
“Y Lleidr” means The Thief, named after the blackbirds who helped themselves to most of the vineyard’s very first vintage. Crafted from a blend of Pinot Noir, Solaris and Seyval Blanc grown across The Dell and the older Pen-y-Clawdd vineyard, this dry Welsh rosé is bursting with freshly picked summer berries - strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant - lifted by crisp acidity and a clean, refreshing finish. Suitable for vegans, 11.5% ABV.
Yr Afanc 25 - Dry White - £20.00
Named after the Afanc, the mythical lake-dwelling beast of Welsh folklore, this aromatic dry white blends Solaris from The Dell with Phoenix, Reichensteiner and Schönburger from Pen-y-Clawdd. Expect passion fruit and jasmine on the nose, with elderflower, ripe pear and stone fruit on the palate, finishing bright and mineral. The previous vintage was singled out by critic Matthew Jukes in Money Week as “a jaw-droppingly beautiful wine” reminiscent of Jurançon Sec. 12% ABV, suitable for vegans.
Y Gwyllgi 25 - Pinot Noir (Pre Order) - £28.00
Y Gwyllgi (gwyll “twilight” + ci “dog”) is the mythical black hound with blazing red eyes said to stalk the Welsh night. This elegant oak-aged Pinot Noir offers vibrant red berry and cherry aromas, soft tannins and a subtle vanilla edge, delicious served lightly chilled. The 2024 vintage is on pre-order with only 300 bottles released in September 2026, the remainder held back for further ageing. 12% ABV.
Clidda Gawr 25 - Col Fondo Sparkling White - £25.00
Inspired by Clidda Gawr, a local giant said to have lived in a fortress atop Clytha Hill above the vineyard, this natural Col Fondo sparkling wine is unfiltered and bottle-fermented. Drink settled for fresh, floral elderflower and passionfruit flavours, or shake the bottle gently to wake the giant - distributing the sediment brings extra toasty, brioche depth. 12% ABV, suitable for vegans.
Olwen 25 - Solaris White - £25.00
Named after Olwen, the Welsh goddess of the sun whose footprints supposedly left white flowers in her wake, this oak-aged Solaris offers bright floral aromas, white blossom and layers of tropical fruit with a gentle vanilla finish. Rich yet refreshing, with a long elegant finish. 13.5% ABV, vegan friendly. Awarded 16.5 points by Jancis Robinson in the Financial Times in 2025, described as “Nice balance - not over-oaked. Good drink. Real fruit, tension and impact.”
Y Gwyllgi Pinot Noir Gin
Beyond still and sparkling wines, The Dell partners with Silver Circle Distillery to produce a small-batch Pinot Noir gin made from the leftover skins, pulp and seeds of the winemaking process, infused with foraged Wye Valley botanicals. Limited releases have appeared at Christmas; the most recent run sold out in days.
Gifts: Adopt-a-Vine and Gift Vouchers
The vineyard also runs an Adopt a Vine gift programme priced from £40 to £66. Each adoption includes:
- A bottle of Welsh wine or gin selected from the options
- A personalised certificate of vine adoption
- A Welsh slate vine tag bearing the recipient’s name, displayed on the vine for two years
- An invitation to join the harvest
Pre-orders of unreleased wines can be chosen - the team will arrange delivery closer to launch.
Gift vouchers are also available in £20, £30, £40, £50 and £100 denominations, gold-printed onto thick card and sent in a gold envelope to the recipient of your choice. Order online or by emailing hello@thedellvineyard.co.uk.
Visit The Dell Vineyard
The Dell is located just outside Raglan on the old road to Abergavenny. The postcode NP15 2AA covers the wider area, so use the full address The Dell Vineyard, Clytha Road, Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2AA in your sat-nav to avoid ending up at a neighbour. The what3words reference is vine.contents.receiving.
Opening Times
The cellar door is open every Saturday from 12pm to 6pm throughout the summer months, with occasional Sunday openings announced on social media. From mid-April until September the vineyard is open most weekends for tours, tastings or simply popping in for a glass. There is no booking required for casual visits, and picnics are welcome on days without food pop-ups.
What to Expect
- Wines by the glass or bottle from the full Dell range
- Y Gwyllgi Pinot Noir gin and tonics
- Local craft beer from Sobremesa Drinks
- Soft drinks including Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co
- Family friendly - well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome
- Plenty of parking, signposted either opposite the vineyard or inside
Guided Vineyard Tours & Tastings
For visitors who want the full story, The Dell runs guided vineyard tours that explain how a family from Bristol ended up planting 8,000 vines on a working farm in Monmouthshire, the unique challenges and rewards of growing grapes in the Welsh climate, and the winemaking choices behind each bottling in the range.
Tour Details
- Cost: £20 per person
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours, including tasting
- Format: Walking tour of the vineyard followed by a guided tasting of a selection of The Dell’s Welsh wines
- Booking: Advance booking is required
- Footwear: Suitable footwear recommended as the tour crosses varying terrain
- Arrival: Please arrive ten minutes before your tour begins
Private Tours & Group Bookings
Bespoke vineyard tours and tastings can be arranged for special occasions, stag and hen parties, corporate events and larger group bookings. The team will tailor an experience to suit each group.
2026 Open Days & Events
From spring through summer each year, The Dell opens its gates for relaxed weekend afternoons of wine, local street food and live music. The full 2026 open day programme is published online. Entry is free, no ticket is required, the events are family friendly and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
The 2026 line-up features:
- Saturday 2 May - The Mex. Co, with live music from The Deri Heirs
- Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 May (Bank Holiday Weekend) - The Cheese Connection. Jim Ramsey on the 23rd; Anna Young on the 24th
- Saturday 6 June - Miniyaki’s Japanese Soul Food, with live music from Tobias Robertson
- Saturday 4 July - The Beefy Boys, with live music from Ben, Dai and some other guy
- Saturday 1 August - Captain Brown’s Pizza, with live music from Jim Ramsey
- Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 August (Bank Holiday Weekend) - The Cheese Connection. Ben, Dai and some other guy on the 29th; Ramz on the 30th
Food pop-ups also feature in the cellar door opening hours on the first Saturday of every month, and on Saturdays that fall on a bank holiday weekend. On quieter days visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the views.
Upcoming Highlight
August Bank Holiday Open Weekend (29 - 30 August 2026) - The Cheese Connection returns with around 30 West Country cheeses from his big yellow truck, paired with The Dell’s wines. Saturday brings live music from Ben, Dai and some other guy; Sunday from Ramz. Local beers, G&Ts, soft drinks and free entry.
Awards & Press
Despite the youth of the project, The Dell has amassed an impressive trophy cabinet:
- Best Rosé and Best Overall Still Wine in Wales at the 2025 Welsh Vineyard Association Welsh Wine Awards - for Y Lleidr
- Best Still Rosé at the Welsh Wine Awards 2023 - also for Y Lleidr
- Two silvers and a bronze across the rest of the range in 2025
- A glowing MoneyWeek review of the previous Afanc vintage by Matthew Jukes, who described it as “jaw-droppingly beautiful”
- 16.5 points from Jancis Robinson in the Financial Times for Olwen 25 in October 2025
As one regular visitor, Bethan L, writes in her five-star Google review: “Dan & Lucy are the most wonderful and welcoming hosts. We have been to several of their open days with friends and have always had a relaxed afternoon tasting The Dell’s superb Welsh wines. Highly recommend!”
Where to Stay & What to Do Nearby
The Dell is in the heart of some of Monmouthshire’s most rewarding food, drink and countryside, making it a perfect anchor for a weekend break.
Places to Eat
- The Black Bear Inn - widely regarded as one of Wales’ best gastropubs
- Clytha Arms - a rustic country pub with local ales
- The Whitebrook - a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Wye Valley
- The Gaff - modern British cuisine in Abergavenny
- The Walnut Tree Inn - an iconic restaurant that pairs The Dell’s wines with a wide international selection
Places to Stay
- Harry’s Cottages - beautifully restored cottages and shepherd’s huts
- Box Barn - a stylish modern barn conversion, ideal for groups
- The Beaufort - a welcoming coaching inn in Raglan, within walking distance of the vineyard
- Pont Kemys Caravan & Camping Park - a peaceful park in beautiful countryside
Things to Do
- Raglan Castle - the 15th-century fortress that inspired The Dell’s logo
- Raglan Farm Park - family-friendly farm attraction
- Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons)
- Abergavenny Food Festival
- Big Pit National Coal Museum
A Growing Estate
The Dell’s 2025 harvest was its biggest yet - 14 tonnes of fruit, around 12,000 bottles of finished wine, more than four times the previous year’s output. With Pinot Noir and Solaris now well established and the newer Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Noir and Pinot Meunier plantings coming on stream, the range is set to keep growing into 2026 and beyond.
For Dan and Lucy, the journey that began on a honeymoon in the Southern Hemisphere and survived a pandemic has only just begun. With a fifth generation now working the family farm, the next vintage - and the next chapter in the story of Welsh wine - feels very much in safe hands.
Plan Your Visit
The Dell Vineyard
Clytha Road
Raglan
Monmouthshire
NP15 2AA
- Lucy Alford: 07891 951862
- Dan Alford: 07716 519630
- Email: hello@thedellvineyard.co.uk
Follow the vineyard on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news on open days, new releases and harvest updates.