Foxbury Fields Vineyard: Award-Winning English White Wines from the Foot of the Malvern Hills
Nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills, where Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire meet, Foxbury Fields Vineyard is a quietly remarkable English wine estate that has earned a growing reputation for elegant, small-batch white wines. Established in 2016, the family-run vineyard produces hand-crafted Bacchus, Ortega and a newer blend called Fusion, all made from grapes grown on south-facing slopes in a unique micro-climate at the edge of the Malverns. With awards from WineGB and the SWVA (South West Vineyards Association) already to its name, Foxbury Fields is a compelling stop for anyone interested in the modern English wine story.
A Herefordshire vineyard with a distinctive sense of place
Foxbury Fields sits at Russell End Farm, Bromsberrow, Herefordshire, HR8 1PB - a peaceful stretch of countryside on the borders of three counties. The site enjoys south-facing slopes, free-draining soils and a micro-climate shaped by the shelter of the Malvern Hills, all of which combine to give the vineyard a character that Heather Williamson, co-founder of Foxbury Fields, describes as unmistakably English. The maritime influences, mild temperatures, good rainfall and long summer daylight hours typical of this part of the country allow the grapes to ripen slowly, preserving natural acidity while coaxing out delicate aromatics in the finished wines.
Each grape variety is picked by hand and pressed and fermented separately, a deliberate choice that allows the winemaking team to capture the distinct personality of every parcel of fruit. The result is a portfolio of still white wines that are crisp, aromatic, food-friendly and proudly small-batch.
The story so far: from first vines to 10 years on
Foxbury Fields was co-founded by Heather Williamson and Richard Baker in June 2016, when the very first vines went into the ground. What began as a shared passion for the countryside and a belief that the local Herefordshire landscape had everything needed to produce wines of real character has, a decade later, grown into a thriving, award-winning vineyard rooted in family values, craftsmanship and a deep respect for nature.
Heather’s connection to horticulture runs deep. She is also Chairman of Wyevale Nurseries, one of the UK’s most respected growers, and her long-standing family and business links with the nursery mean she has spent years immersed in the rhythms of the land - nurturing plants, understanding soils and working closely with nature. Establishing the vineyard was a natural extension of that experience and expertise, and it continues to shape how the vines are cared for today.
Heather and Richard chose from the outset to focus on two distinctive English grape varieties - Bacchus and Ortega - both beautifully suited to the cool climate, gentle slopes and long summer days of their patch of Herefordshire countryside. The winemaking ethos is simple: craft small-batch wines that truly express the season, reflecting the sunshine, the rain, the cool snaps and the warmth that shaped the grapes. It is a slow, thoughtful approach that puts quality above quantity and celebrates the character of the land itself.
On 3 July 2026 the team marked their 10th anniversary with friends, family and colleagues. As Heather put it: “Reaching our 10-year anniversary is incredibly special. What started as a shared idea and a passion for the land has grown into something we’re truly proud of. Every vine we planted back in June 2016 has been nurtured with care and each bottle we produce reflects not just the character of the season, but the place we call home here in Herefordshire.”
Bacchus: the cool-climate signature
Bacchus is often described as England’s answer to Sauvignon Blanc, and at Foxbury Fields it has become the flagship white. The grape was created in 1933 by the German viticulturalist Peter Morio by crossing Silvaner and Riesling with Müller-Thurgau, and although it was bred for cooler wine regions, it has found its true home on English soil. The long, mild English growing season gives Bacchus the time it needs to develop delicate aromatics while preserving bright, refreshing acidity.
In the glass, Foxbury Fields Bacchus is a pale lime-green aromatic dry white wine with complex aromas of elderflower layered with kiwi, grass and a herbal overlay. It is well balanced with length on the palate - a classic English Bacchus in every sense. Tasting notes consistently flag elderflower, gooseberry, hedgerow herbs and soft citrus; on the palate it is crisp yet elegant, with a clean finish that makes it incredibly food-friendly.
The wine sits at 11.5% ABV and is bottled in 75cl format. Recent vintages of the single-varietal Bacchus have been the 2021 release, available singly or in cases.
Food pairings for Bacchus
Bacchus is an ideal aperitif and pairs beautifully with lighter dishes such as grilled fish, soft cheeses, spring vegetables and fragrant salads. The vineyard recommends it as a partner for Wye Valley asparagus, whose grassy flavour profile complements the herbal notes in the wine. For a dinner party, a chilled glass of Bacchus alongside simple nibbles - olives, smoked almonds and a board of local cheeses - is an effortless way to start the evening, while a smoked salmon and cucumber salad makes a refreshing, fragrant pairing for the starter course.
Ortega: a gentle English favourite
If Bacchus is the crisp, aromatic spearhead of the range, Ortega is its softer, more rounded companion. Originally developed in Germany in 1948 by Hans Breider at the Bayerischen Landesanstalt für Wein-, Obst- und Gartenbau in Würzburg, Ortega is a crossing of Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe that ripens early and is not sensitive to frost - qualities that make it ideal for English wine production. The variety was named in tribute to the Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset.
In English vineyards Ortega comes into its own, offering generous aromatics while retaining a fresh, balanced character. Expect delicate floral notes, hints of elderflower and hedgerow blossom, alongside soft stone fruit flavours such as peach or apricot. There is often a subtle richness on the palate, balanced by refreshing acidity, making Ortega approachable, elegant and wonderfully versatile.
Foxbury Fields Ortega is described on the label as “a delightfully perfumed medium dry white wine with refreshing lemon and orange aromas. Crisp and deliciously fruity, it is wonderful on its own as an aperitif or as an ideal accompaniment to fish dishes.” It also sits at 11.5% ABV in 75cl bottles, and the current vintage available is the 2019.
Food pairings for Ortega
Ortega’s gentle aromatics work beautifully with lightly spiced dishes, grilled chicken, herby salads and creamy cheeses. It is also a lovely match for fish, Herefordshire asparagus (in season from late April to Midsummer) and seasonal vegetable dishes - perfect for relaxed lunches or informal dinners shared with friends. For the main course of a dinner party, herb-roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables is a perfect partner for the wine’s soft, rounded character.
Fusion: a house blend from the 2023 harvest
Joining the two single-varietal wines is Fusion 2023, Foxbury Fields’ first blended release. Carefully crafted from the finest Ortega and Bacchus grapes of the 2023 harvest, Fusion is an off-dry white wine with a gentle floral bouquet and soft flavours of peach and elderflower. It is delicious both with food and on its own, and slots in at 11% ABV in a 75cl bottle. Fusion extends the range with a slightly sweeter, rounder profile that bridges the aromatic crispness of Bacchus and the gentle fruit of Ortega.
Awards and recognition
Foxbury Fields has been collecting awards almost from the moment its wines first reached competition. Recognition ranges from bronze and silver medals and highly commended accolades at regional and national level, including a SWVA Silver medal. Most recently the vineyard was delighted to receive a WineGB Award for its 2023 Ortega - a notable accolade given out by the national association that supports the sustainable growth of the English and Welsh wine industry.
These honours reflect both the quality of the winemaking and the strength of the 2023 vintage in Herefordshire. As the winery notes, Bacchus yields at Foxbury Fields reached an impressive 9.5 tonnes per hectare in 2025, well above the five-year average of 6.75 t/ha - clear evidence of how well the vineyard’s terroir and husbandry are working.
Part of the Malvern Hills Vineyards
Foxbury Fields is also proud to be part of a collaborative group of six independent vineyards across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, collectively known as The Malvern Hills Vineyards. Together the group grows 14 grape varieties across more than 68 acres, pooling expertise, experience and a shared commitment to producing high-quality English wines. The collaboration gives visitors and trade buyers a single network through which to explore the best of the Malverns’ still and sparkling production.
English terroir and the rise of English wine
Terroir - the combination of soil, climate and landscape that shapes a wine’s character - is central to the English wine story, and Foxbury Fields is a textbook example. England’s maritime climate, with mild temperatures, good rainfall and long summer daylight hours, allows grapes to ripen slowly. The extended growing season preserves natural acidity while enabling delicate flavours and aromas to develop, producing wines that are typically crisp, vibrant and expressive rather than heavy.
Soil types further shape the wines. Chalk soils, common in southern England, provide excellent drainage and can add a subtle mineral note. Clay soils retain water and nutrients, often producing wines with more body, while lighter soils encourage aromatic intensity. For Bacchus - often considered England’s signature white grape - the cool climate enhances freshness and aromatic complexity, leading to flavours of elderflower, gooseberry, citrus and fresh herbs. Chalk adds elegance, lighter soils boost fruitiness. Ortega produces a softer, more rounded wine; it ripens earlier, making it well-suited to England’s shorter seasons, with ripe peach, apricot and floral notes, often with a gentle sweetness.
At Foxbury Fields, this combination of factors shows through clearly. “Our Bacchus and Ortega clearly show how our Herefordshire soil and climate combine to create wines that are fresh, aromatic and unmistakably English,” the vineyard says.
The wider context is remarkable. According to WineGB, UK production surged by 39% in 2025 compared with 2024, driven by early warm weather, a dry spring and four separate heatwaves in June and July across the south of the country. These conditions created the earliest and ripest harvest ever recorded in the British Isles, with Growing Degree Days reaching 1051 (versus a five-year average of 1008) and average potential alcohol levels rising to 10.48%. Bacchus nationally reached 9.5 tonnes per hectare, up from a 6.75 t/ha five-year average. The Food Standards Agency reported 124,377 hectolitres of wine produced nationwide - equivalent to more than 16.5 million bottles and a 55% rise on the previous year.
For Foxbury Fields, these figures underline what they see in their own vines: that English still wines are booming and increasingly overtaking sparkling wines as the face of the country’s modern wine identity.
Buy the wines: bottles, cases and mixed selections
The full Foxbury Fields range is available to purchase directly from the vineyard through its online shop. Customers can buy single bottles to try, build mixed cases, or stock up on larger formats for weddings, parties and gifting. There is a 10% saving on any case of six bottles or more (including mixed cases), free click-and-collect from the vineyard, and free delivery on all orders of 12 bottles or more.
Single bottles (75cl)
- Bacchus 2021 - £15.00
- Ortega 2019 - £15.00
- Fusion 2023 - £15.00
Cases of six (SAVE 10%)
- Bacchus 2021 - Case of 6 - £81.00
- Ortega 2019 - Case of 6 - £81.00
- Fusion 2023 - Case of 6 - £81.00
- Mixed case of 6 (3 Bacchus + 3 Ortega) - £81.00
Cases of 12 (SAVE 10%, free delivery)
- Bacchus 2021 - Case of 12 - £162.00
- Ortega 2019 - Case of 12 - £162.00
- Mixed case of 12 (6 Bacchus + 6 Ortega) - £162.00
Across the range, every wine is vegan-friendly by default as a still white wine made only from grapes, and is bottled at Foxbury Fields’ standard 75cl format.
Tours and tastings at the vineyard
Visitors to Foxbury Fields can book a behind-the-scenes ‘Taste of Herefordshire’ vineyard tour and tasting for £15 per person through the online shop. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes a guided walk through the vines, insight into vineyard management and the winemaking process, and a tasting of the award-winning wines - including the classic English Bacchus and the wonderfully perfumed Ortega.
The vineyard is set at the foot of the Malvern Hills and surrounded by wildlife. As Heather says, “No two visits are ever quite the same. The vineyard is a magical place, alive with wildlife and birdsong.” Advance booking is essential; visitors are advised that the vineyard is approximately a 15-minute walk from Russell End Farm, so anyone with mobility concerns is encouraged to contact the team before booking.
What to expect on a tour
- A guided walk through the vines and a chance to see the south-facing slopes and unique micro-climate first-hand.
- Insight into how English vines are managed throughout the year, from winter pruning to hand-harvest.
- An introduction to the winemaking process, from pressing and fermentation to blending and bottling.
- A tasting of Foxbury Fields’ signature wines, including Bacchus, Ortega and (when available) Fusion.
- Time to enjoy the peaceful Herefordshire countryside at the foot of the Malvern Hills.
Practicalities
- Price: £15 per person.
- Duration: approximately 90 minutes.
- Booking: advance booking essential, via the online shop.
- Location: Russell End Farm, Bromsberrow, Herefordshire, HR8 1PB.
- Contact: 07974 793367.
English Wine Week and seasonal celebrations
Foxbury Fields has been a regular host for English Wine Week, the annual industry-wide celebration organised by WineGB. In 2026, the team ran a special series of tours and tastings during and around the official week (Saturday 20 June to Sunday 28 June 2026), bringing visitors behind the scenes to see the vines growing and to sample the wines. The 2026 series included dates from late May through late June, with tours at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm slots designed to make the most of long summer evenings. Future editions of these events are typically announced on the vineyard’s social channels as the season approaches.
Why buy English wine?
Beyond the pleasure in the glass, choosing English wine carries wider benefits that Foxbury Fields is keen to highlight:
- Sustainability. Buying wine produced in the UK cuts the miles between vineyard and consumer, reducing the carbon footprint associated with imported bottles.
- Supporting local business. Every bottle purchased helps sustain rural businesses, create employment and contribute to local economies.
- Craftsmanship. English vineyards work within a challenging climate, requiring skill, dedication and careful vineyard management throughout the growing season.
- Freshness. Wines produced closer to home reach consumers more quickly, allowing them to be enjoyed at their best.
“At Foxbury Fields, we’re proud to produce our Bacchus and Ortega wines here in Herefordshire,” the team says. “Our wines reflect not only the character of our vineyard but also the growing reputation of English wine as a whole.”
Hosting with Foxbury Fields wines
From garden parties and dinner parties to weddings, Foxbury Fields’ wines are designed for sharing. For a relaxed dinner, start with chilled Bacchus and simple nibbles, move to Ortega with herb-roasted chicken or fish, and finish with a glass of Ortega alongside an apple tart or pear frangipane. For weddings, the winery’s advice is to allow half a bottle of wine per guest for the meal and early evening, plus one bottle of fizz per five to six guests for welcome drinks and toasts. Ortega pairs beautifully with chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes, while Bacchus offers a crisp, aromatic freshness that lifts lighter starters and summery mains.
Sustainability and land management
Foxbury Fields takes pride in the cultivation, land management and environmental practices implemented across the vineyard. Heather’s horticulture background, gained through years of work with Wyevale Nurseries, has informed a deep understanding of plants, soils and the importance of working in harmony with nature. The vineyard continues to look ahead with optimism: with another favourable growing season forecast, the team is watching the 2026 vintage with excitement and a real hope that it might equal or better the record-breaking 2025 harvest.
How to find Foxbury Fields Vineyard
The vineyard is at Foxbury Fields Vineyard, Russell End Farm, Bromsberrow, Herefordshire, HR8 1PB. Visitors are warmly welcomed by appointment for tours and tastings, and the team can be reached by telephone on 07974 793367. The vineyard’s social channels - Facebook and Instagram - are the best places to follow news of new releases, awards, tour dates and seasonal updates.
Final pour
Foxbury Fields is a small, family-run vineyard with a clear point of view: that the rolling Herefordshire landscape at the foot of the Malvern Hills can produce world-class English white wines when it is treated with care, patience and respect for the seasons. From the aromatic, elderflower-laden Bacchus to the soft, peach-tinged Ortega and the gentler Fusion, the range is a love letter to cool-climate English winemaking - and a very good reason to plan a visit, open a bottle and taste the Malverns for yourself.