Leventhorpe Vineyard - Pioneering Urban Winemaking in Leeds
Tucked inside the boundary of a major English city, Leventhorpe Vineyard is one of the most quietly remarkable wine estates in the country. Planted in 1985 by George and Janet Bowden, it became the first site to re-introduce commercial wine growing to Yorkshire in the modern era, and more than three decades on it is still run by the same family, still producing award-winning still and sparkling wines from its five-acre south-facing slope on the edge of Leeds.
A Yorkshire vineyard with Roman roots
Wine growing in Yorkshire is far from a modern fashion. The Romans cultivated vines this far north, and the Cistercian monks at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds are believed to have kept a vineyard, although its exact location has been lost to history. Better documented is the Benedictine vineyard at Askham Richard, on the outskirts of York, which was tended by the monks of St Mary's Abbey and produced wine successfully until the sixteenth century. Leventhorpe's founders were conscious of this long heritage when they decided, in the early 1980s, that the time was right to plant vines again in the region.
The name Leventhorpe itself is a nod to local history. The vineyard's flagship white blend is named after the field in which it grows - Hillfield - an enclosure that has existed since Anglo-Saxon times.
How the site was chosen
George Bowden identified the Leventhorpe site in an almost accidental way. Driving past the field after a snowy day, he noticed that its south-facing slope had caught the sun, allowing the snow to melt there well before it disappeared from the surrounding fields. He knew at once that this was the kind of warm, free-draining ground a vineyard needs.
It proved an inspired choice. The site sits at a low altitude - an average elevation of around 80 feet - and offers:
- A gentle south-facing slope of light sandy loam topsoil
- Subsoil of sand and cracked sandstone over the River Aire
- Mature tree shelter around the boundary
- Rapid spring drainage and warming
- Protection from late frosts, helped by close proximity to the river, canal and lake
Because of the topography, the site rarely suffers from spring frosts after the third week in April - a vital advantage in a northern climate, because the young shoots of the vine will not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. Combined with early ripening varieties, this consistently warm site has produced reliable quality year after year.
From vine to bottle on the same estate
Every wine Leventhorpe sells is grown, pressed, fermented and bottled within the vineyard itself, in their purpose-built winery. The five-acre vineyard feeds the winery directly, which means the Bowdens can control the entire winemaking process and protect the wines' character and identity. All wines are matured in bottle for at least two years before release, and each bottling goes through independent testing and tasting for quality and provenance to obtain PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status.
The portfolio is built around varieties suited to the Yorkshire climate and covers white, red and sparkling wines - both white and pink. Leventhorpe is a member of English Wine Producers, the trade body that represents the country's leading wineries.
The wines
The current portfolio runs to six wines across white, red, sparkling and rosé styles. For the latest list and availability, visitors and trade customers should contact the vineyard directly. Tasting notes from the winemakers follow.
Hillfield 2013 - Yorkshire Varietal Wine
Named after the Anglo-Saxon field that surrounds it, Hillfield is not made every year. It is a blend of Madeleine Angevine and Seyval Blanc grapes, with a spicy nose leading to a spice-and-fruit palate - the kind of wine the Bowdens describe as a good 'all rounder'. Best served at 10 - 12 °C.
Madeleine Angevine 2014 - PGI
A light, delicate dry white with an apricot and peachy nose. Clean and flowery, with good fruit and length on the palate. Pairs well with poultry, fish and spicy dishes. Serve at 10 - 12 °C. This is the wine most closely associated with Leventhorpe's reputation. Oz Clarke, writing in BBC Countryfile Magazine in May 2009, said he could recognise Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine if given a glass anywhere, calling it "a once tasted, always remembered kind of wine".
Seyval 2014 - PGI
A delicate dry white with a leafy green nose and lemon-zest character, finishing with green apple and lime fruit and exotic notes. The Bowdens recommend it with seafood, poultry, shoulder of lamb and belly pork. Serve at 10 - 12 °C. The 2014 Seyval went on to win a Gold medal at the 2016 English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition, judged by a panel of five Masters of Wine.
Madeleine Angevine Grower's Reserve 2013 - PGI
Kept back from the main vintage for its extra finesse, this wine was the last to be picked and was late bottled sur lie, giving it a subtle, delicate flavour. Excellent with herby and spicy dishes; serve at 12 °C.
West Riding Red 2013 - Yorkshire Varietal Wine
A characterful blend made from Triomphe, Regent, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Dornfelder, all picked and pressed together. It offers red-berry and cherry fruit on the nose, a red-berried palate and light tannins, made in a ripasso style. The Bowdens suggest it with delicate steaks - and say it really comes into its own with meat pies and casseroles. Serve at 15 - 16 °C and open at least an hour before drinking.
Yorkshire Brut 2013
A light, delicate sparkling wine with an apple, yeasty and biscuit nose, a fine mousse and a fresh apple flavour that develops a hint of honey with age. Chill well before serving. This is the wine the Bowdens chose for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2009, served in the VIP lounge when the ceremony was held in Sheffield.
How to buy Leventhorpe wines
Wines can be purchased directly from the vineyard in quantities of one bottle and upwards, from selected stockists, or by mail order.
- Mail order: The minimum order for delivery is six bottles. Cases and half-cases may be mixed. Sparkling wine may be ordered and delivered as a single bottle.
- Trade enquiries: A minimum order of 12 bottles, mixed, is welcomed. Stockists can contact the vineyard directly.
- Payment: By credit card over the phone, bank transfer or cheque. Goods are dispatched on receipt of payment.
- Delivery: Mainland UK only. Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt for a full refund or exchange, provided the goods are in their original condition.
You must be aged 18 or over to purchase alcohol from Leventhorpe. Full terms and conditions are published with the online ordering details.
For prices and current availability, the vineyard asks customers to ring 0113 288 9088, email info@leventhorpevineyard.co.uk, or use the enquiry form on the Ordering Our Wines page.
Press, awards and royal recognition
Leventhorpe's wines have accumulated an impressive list of accolades over the years, both at home and abroad.
- 2003 - Leventhorpe Vineyard featured in Rick Stein's Guide to the Food Heroes of Britain.
- 2006 - The Daily Telegraph included Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine among its 'Wines of the Week'.
- 2007 - Jancis Robinson recommended Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine in the Financial Times. In July of the same year, HRH The Duke of Kent officially visited the vineyard and was, the Bowdens recall, "astonished by the quality of the wine".
- 2009 - Oz Clarke named Leventhorpe one of his 'Pick of the Best' six British vineyards in BBC Countryfile Magazine. Leventhorpe Yorkshire Brut was served in the VIP lounge at BBC Sports Personality of the Year in Sheffield.
- 2009 - Oz Clarke and James May visited the vineyard for the BBC television series Oz & James Drink to Britain, and the visit was also featured in their accompanying book.
- 2010 - BBC Olive Magazine included Leventhorpe in its 'Festive Escapes' feature.
- 2011 - Susy Atkins selected Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine 2009 in Decanter Magazine's pick of English wines; the wine was also featured on the Decanter website over the Christmas period. The vineyard hosted a wine exchange with Château Masburel from Bergerac - courtesy of Jet2 - presided over by the Lord Mayor of Leeds.
- 2012 - Leventhorpe Sparkling was listed among 'The 10 Best English Wines' in the Independent.
- 2013 - Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine 2010 was served at a Reception & Dinner hosted by The Worshipful Company of Vintners at the City of London, part of the events celebrating their 650th anniversary and their association with the Magna Carta. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall was in attendance. In August, The Times featured Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine Late Harvest 2007 after it won a supreme 'gold' medal in a competition for wines from the south Midlands to the north.
- 2015 - Leventhorpe Vineyard was featured in Barging around Britain with John Sergeant (ITV), in the episode on the Aire & Calder Navigation. For Yorkshire Day, the vineyard's sparkling was used as one of the ingredients in 'Yorkshire's Finest', a cocktail created by Mix'n'Twist Bartending. A video about Leventhorpe's wines was posted by World Rugby in the run-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, after France defence coach David Ellis took some Leventhorpe bottles to the pre-match dinner during the 2011 Six Nations campaign.
- 2016 - Leventhorpe Seyval 2014 won Gold at the English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition, judged by five Masters of Wine. Leventhorpe Madeleine Angevine 2012 was taken to MIPIM in Cannes and to a 'Yorkshire High Tea' hosted by Welcome to Yorkshire at the British Embassy in Paris, celebrating the finish of the Tour de France.
- 2017 - In January, Leventhorpe was invited by Alec Shelbrooke MP to the Kingdom of Elmet Food Day in the Houses of Parliament. In July, the vineyard showcased its wines at The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.
Visiting the vineyard
Leventhorpe is unusual among British vineyards in that it sits within a major city boundary - one of the very few in the world to do so. It is easy to reach by road and rail:
- A couple of miles from Junction 46 of the M1
- A couple of miles from Junction 30 of the M62
- Reachable by bus, with Woodlesford Station a 20-minute walk away
Opening times
The vineyard is open most days for sales.
- Monday to Saturday: 11:00am - 4:00pm
- Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Because Leventhorpe is a working vineyard and winery, visitors are advised to contact the vineyard in advance to confirm that it is open on the day of their visit. Sales are available at the door, and it is a good opportunity to taste the wines before buying by the bottle or case.
Contact Leventhorpe Vineyard
- Telephone: 0113 288 9088
- Email: info@leventhorpevineyard.co.uk
- Website: leventhorpevineyard.co.uk
- Wines page: Ordering Our Wines
- About page: About Leventhorpe
- Press page: News & Press
- Opening times and directions: Opening times
Run with care by George and Janet Bowden for more than forty years, Leventhorpe Vineyard remains one of Yorkshire's quiet but persistent wine success stories - proof that a few well-chosen acres in the right place can keep producing characterful English wines, year after year, even on the edge of a major city.