Dunesforde Vineyard: Award-Winning English Wines from One of the UK's Most Northerly Vineyards
Nestled in the fertile lowlands of the Vale of York, Dunesforde Vineyard is a four-acre, family-run boutique vineyard that has rapidly become one of the most talked-about producers of cool-climate English wine. Planted in 2016 by the Townsend family on land they had farmed for more than three decades, Dunesforde sits in the village of Upper Dunsforth in North Yorkshire - a few hundred yards from the Roman road that once linked Aldborough (Isurium Brigantum) to the legionary capital of Eboracum (York). With around 6,000 vines of carefully chosen northern-adapted varieties, a Roman-themed tasting building and an adjoining 25-acre nature reserve, Dunesforde offers far more than a vineyard visit - it is a complete day out within easy reach of the A1(M) and the historic city of York.
A brief history of Dunesforde
The idea for Dunesforde took root more than a decade before the first vine went into the ground. James Townsend spent time working at Castello di Potentino in Tuscany and returned convinced that the same sense of place, seasonality and community could be recreated back home in Yorkshire. Together with the rest of the Townsend family, he visited vineyards around the world, watched the English wine scene gather momentum, and eventually found the perfect site on land adjacent to their family home.
The chosen plot ticked every box the experts had identified for cool-climate viticulture this far north. A gentle slope drains frost away from the vines, the sheltered nature of the site keeps it a degree or two warmer than surrounding land, and relatively low summer rainfall forces the vines to work harder - producing smaller, more concentrated berries and, in the family's view, more complex flavours.
Walking in Roman footsteps
The Townends are passionate about the area's deep history. Dunesforde is named after the entry for the village of Dunsforth in the Domesday Book, but the deeper story stretches back almost two thousand years to the reign of Emperor Claudius. When the Romans pushed north from AD43 they encountered Queen Cartimandua, the formidable leader of the Brigantes, the largest and most influential tribe in Britain. Rather than fight, Cartimandua struck an alliance with the invaders and ruled the region for more than two decades.
The Romans consolidated their grip on northern England by building a chain of forts connected by military roads, with Aldborough emerging as a major settlement complete with a forum, temple and amphitheatre. Wine was central to Roman life - vines were planted as far north as Doncaster, Castleford and even Hadrian's Wall - and tablets found at Vindolanda show wine being bought and sold in Aldborough itself. Given that Dunesforde lies only a few hundred yards from the Roman road and just three miles from Aldborough, the family are convinced wine was almost certainly made on this very ground in antiquity.
It is this layered Tuscan-Roman-Yorkshire heritage that gives Dunesforde its character. The striking vineyard building incorporates a recreated Roman winery complete with amphoras, and two large mural paintings by Yorkshire artist Lynn Ward bring the local story to life on the walls.
The grapes and the wines
Four grape varieties are grown across the four-acre estate, each chosen for its suitability to this northerly site:
- Bacchus - the signature aromatic white of English wine, known for its gooseberry and elderflower perfume.
- Solaris - an early-ripening German variety that performs brilliantly in cooler climates.
- Pinot Gris - capable of producing both still and traditional-method sparkling wines in the best summers.
- Pinot Noir Précoce - an early-ripening Pinot mutation that provides the backbone for sparkling rosé, the still rosé and Dunesforde's first red wine.
The first harvest wines were released in October 2019, and the maiden sparkling collection from the exceptional 2018 vintage followed in November 2020. Since then the winery has picked up a string of medals and trophies, including a Gold Medal in 2021 and - in 2024 - WineGB awards for the UK's Best Single Varietal White Wine and Best Wine for Midlands and North, both awarded to the Dunesforde Pinot Gris 2022. The Queen of the North Special Reserve 2019 and Sparkling Pinot Gris 2021 have also collected Silver Medals at the International Wine Challenge.
Wine is made off-site in partnership with Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, and every wine in the range is vegan friendly.
Still wines
Dunesforde's current still wine range draws almost entirely from the exceptional 2025 harvest, which Head of Wine Peter Townsend has called "our best vintage yet".
- 2023 Dunesforde Still Bacchus - from £19.50. Crisp and aromatic, with emphatic gooseberry and elderflower notes; the perfect aperitif. The 2021 vintage of this wine won a Silver Medal at the WineGB 2022 awards.
- 2023 Dunesforde Still Solaris - from £19.50. A single-varietal Solaris bursting with acidity and character, fantastic with seafood or on its own.
- 2023 Dunesforde Still Rosé - from £23.00. Light, dry and packed with vibrant summer fruits and a long, succulent finish.
- 2025 Dunesforde Still Pinot Gris - from £23.00. Fresh, expressive aromas of lime and pear, juicy pear and ripe cherry on the palate, finished with bright acidity and a clean mineral edge.
- 2025 Dunesforde Pinot Noir Précoce - from £23.00. A lightly oaked red with expressive blackberry, blackcurrant and plum flavours, rounded by subtle vanilla undertones.
Two pre-mixed cases make gifting easy: the Dunesforde Mixed Still Wine Case at £100.00 contains one bottle of each of the five current stills, while the Dunesforde Dinner Party Case at £165.00 walks you through a complete evening menu - from a Sparkling Rosé welcome, through Bacchus, Still Rosé, Red and Sparkling Pinot Gris, finishing with Sparkling Solaris alongside dessert. The Sparkling Rosé in this case was recently featured on ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh as his favourite wine of the week.
Sparkling wines
All Dunesforde sparkling wines are made by the méthode traditionnelle, with secondary fermentation in the bottle and extended lees ageing.
- 2021 Dunesforde Sparkling Pinot Gris - from £37.00. Crisp and refreshing, brimming with fresh ripe orchard fruits. The 2020 vintage won a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge 2024.
- 2021 Dunesforde Sparkling Solaris - £32.00. A sparkling white with crisp acidity and orchard-to-tropical fruit character.
- 2020 Dunesforde Sparkling Rosé - from £42.00. 100% Dunesforde Pinot Noir Précoce, crisp, refreshing and bursting with fresh citrus.
- 2022 Queen of the North Classic - from £35.00. The flagship traditional-method blend of Solaris, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir Précoce, named after Queen Cartimandua. The 2022 vintage has benefited from extended lees ageing, bringing subtle complexity while the vibrant fruit character shines through.
- 2020 Queen of the North Rosé - from £33.00. Traditional-method blend of English Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with soft peach and Pink Lady apple notes and a refreshingly crisp finish.
- 2019 Queen of the North Special Reserve - from £60.00. A limited release of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir aged for 50 months on the lees, retaining its intense orchard fruit profile but now layered with brown bread and pistachio nuances. Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge.
The full range can be bought online through the Dunesforde shop, with delivery across the UK.
Tours, tastings and experiences
A visit to Dunesforde is built around the vines and the winery building's two tasting rooms - the intimate Queen of the North Room (up to 12 guests on one long table) and the larger Roman Room (up to 60 guests on round tables). Both rooms overlook the vineyard and feature large TV screens, with the Roman Room also benefiting from a sound system and the spectacular Lynn Ward wall mural depicting life in nearby Roman Aldborough.
Three core experiences are available, all hosted by a member of the Townsend family and the Dunesforde wine team:
- Dunesforde Still Wine Experience - £29.00 per person. A guided tour of the vines followed by a tutored tasting of the current vintage still wines, covering viticulture, vinification and the Dunesforde story. Depending on the season this takes place outdoors on the terrace, amongst the vines or in one of the tasting rooms.
- Dunesforde Classic Experience - £39.00 per person. The same tour, with a tasting that adds two of the most recent vintage sparkling wines to the line-up.
- The Dunesforde Grand Tasting - £95 per person (minimum 6 guests). An in-depth, personalised tutored tasting of the full wine range with Head of Wine Peter Townsend, paired with a platter of local foods prepared to match. Held in the Queen of the North tasting room. This experience cannot be booked online - guests are asked to call 01423 369478 or email contact@dunesforde.com to arrange.
Dunesforde Experience Gift Vouchers start from £29.00 and can be redeemed against either the Still or Classic experience. Vouchers for any monetary amount can also be arranged by calling the vineyard.
The Wine Bar and Terrace
For visitors who simply want a glass overlooking the vines, the Roman Cellar Door Bar and Terrace are open on Fridays from 12pm to 8pm and Saturdays from 12pm to 8pm. The terrace seats up to 50 with umbrellas and gazebo sides for cooler evenings, and overlooks the vineyard. Pre-order sharing platters are available, and same-day bookings can be made by calling 01423 369478.
Venue hire and private events
Dunesforde's striking vineyard building is available for private hire and offers a memorable backdrop for business meetings, celebrations and corporate away days, all just six miles from the A1(M). Amenities include ample parking, wi-fi throughout, air-conditioned rooms and state-of-the-art technology.
Rooms and spaces
- Queen of the North Room - seats up to 12 on one large table, large TV screen, vineyard views.
- Roman Room - seats up to 60 on round tables, direct access to a well-equipped kitchen and vineyard views.
- Cellar Door Bar - seats up to 50, bar hatch, ground-floor access; combines seamlessly with the terrace.
- The Terrace - seats up to 50 outdoors, with umbrellas and gazebo sides; a wet-weather fallback into the Cellar Door Bar.
- The whole venue - the building plus terrace, with kitchen, Cellar Door Bar, both tasting rooms, welcome foyer, toilets and a spacious car park.
The Nature Reserve
Alongside the vineyard, the Townshends have been transforming a 25-acre plot into a thriving wildlife habitat. Once overrun with Himalayan balsam and blackthorn, the land has been cleared and 4,000 native trees planted. Natural springs feed a beautiful lake that attracts swans, geese, ducks and oyster catchers. The reserve is offered on an exclusive basis for team-building away days, corporate volunteering days or private outdoor gatherings, with a compost loo the only current facility.
Previous events hosted at Dunesforde include car rallies, celebrations, volunteer days, group gatherings, business talks and private wine tastings.
Upcoming events at Dunesforde
The vineyard runs a varied programme of ticketed events through the year, with tickets sold via G.J.PIM Events. Two headline events are scheduled:
- The Box Tree at the Vineyard - Friday 7 August 2026, 7pm, £130. While The Box Tree Restaurant in Ilkley undergoes renovations, Head Chef Brayden Davies and his team relocate to Dunesforde for one evening only. A three-course menu with canapés, each dish thoughtfully paired by Peter Townsend. Just 40 seats; currently listed as sold out with a waiting list.
- Cheese & Wine Evening - Thursday 27 August 2026, 6:30pm, £35. A return of the popular collaboration with Gemma from The Cheeseboard of Harrogate, pairing five handpicked cheeses with Dunesforde wines.
Volunteering at the vineyard
Volunteers are at the heart of life at Dunesforde. A typical volunteering day starts at 8:45am with a briefing from Vineyard Manager Emma and a 9:00am start, with refreshments and a wine-inclusive lunch provided. Tasks rotate with the seasons:
- Winter - pruning and tying down.
- Spring and early summer - shoot selection, training and canopy work.
- Mid-to-late summer - leaf stripping and vineyard care to ripen the fruit.
- Autumn - harvest, the most social and celebratory time of year.
The vineyard publishes a 2026 calendar of volunteering days, and businesses can also book corporate volunteering days in the nature reserve.
The team
What began as a five-strong Townsend family venture has doubled in size to form a small but very busy team drawn from the local area:
- Ian Townsend - Vineyard Owner (ian@dunesforde.com)
- Mandy Townsend - Vineyard Owner (mandy@dunesforde.com)
- Peter Townsend - Head of Wine (peter@dunesforde.com)
- Kate Stephenson - Financial Controller (kate@dunesforde.com)
- Alison Corbett - Events Co-ordinator (alison@dunesforde.com)
- Emily Baker - Head of Sales & Operations (emily@dunesforde.com)
Where to find Dunesforde wines
Alongside the cellar door and online shop, Dunesforde wines are stocked by an impressive list of Yorkshire restaurants, hotels and retailers. Restaurants include Arras in York, Skosh, Rhubarb, Mýse in Hovingham, Pine in Northumberland, Starling Bar in Harrogate, The Box Tree in Ilkley, The Mucky Duck, Pignut and the Hare in Scawton and Restaurant Pine. Retail stockists include Castle Howard, Farm Gate Farm Shop near Easingwold and Yorkshire's Finest Hampers, while hotel partners include Aldwark Manor, Crathorne Hall, Wood Hall Hotel & Spa and Yorkshire Spa Retreat.
Plan your visit
Dunesforde Vineyard is at Howe Field Road, Upper Dunsforth, North Yorkshire YO26 9RU. For sat-nav users, the what3words reference is grownup.hothouse.chef. Summer office hours (April to October) are Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm, Friday 9am - 6pm and Saturday 12pm - 8pm. Tours and tastings can be booked in advance online. The team can be reached on 01423 369478 or at contact@dunesforde.com, and visitors can keep up to date via the newsletter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.