Get a professional site for your business. Free domain, hosting and 1 hour of changes per month. £39.99/month getonweb.co.uk

Rodington Vineyard

Shropshire, Mid & North, England

Visit Website Shop Wines ↗

Phone

01952 770 858

Address

Rodington Vineyard, Sugden Lane, Rodington, Shropshire TF6 6ND, UK

Opening Hours

10am to 4pm daily (Except Wednesdays)

Location

Shropshire · Mid & North

Grape Varieties (4)

Ortega Pinot Noir Rondo Solaris

Follow

Rodington Vineyard: A Family-Run Award-Winning English Vineyard in Shropshire

Tucked away on a ten-acre plot at Sugden Lane in the village of Rodington, just a few miles north-west of Telford, Rodington Vineyard is one of Shropshire's most endearing family-run wine estates. Planted by a farming family with deep agricultural roots, nurtured for several years before its first harvest, and opened to the public in October 2015, the vineyard has rapidly earned a reputation for producing fragrant, award-winning English wines that hold their own against far better-known regions.

What makes Rodington Vineyard especially appealing is its blend of authenticity and ambition: it is small enough to feel personal, yet serious enough to have racked up International Wine Challenge medals, English & Welsh Wine of the Year trophies, listings at Marks & Spencer, and appearances on the BBC. Below is a comprehensive guide to the vineyard, its wines, its people and its place in the modern English wine story.

The Rodington Story: From Farming Heritage to English Wine

Rodington Vineyard is, at heart, a family dream realised. The owners come from an ancestry steeped in farming back in India, where generations of their family grew all manner of crops. After three generations in England, that heritage in the soil found a new expression in the rolling Shropshire countryside.

The journey to becoming a vineyard was deliberately slow and considered. Long before the first vine went into the ground, the family started out by renting a small allotment in Shropshire and growing vegetables, an exercise that turned out to be a hit with the neighbours. Buoyed by that small success, in 2009 they purchased the ten-acre plot at Rodington that is now home to the vineyard. They could see the natural, untapped potential of the land and recognised that it would make a perfect site for vines.

After years of planning, planting and nurturing, the family celebrated their first harvest in 2013. A further two seasons of careful winemaking followed before they were ready to share the results with the wider public, officially opening the gates in October 2015. Since then, in a relatively short space of time, the vineyard has accumulated an impressive trophy cabinet of international, national and regional awards.

Why Shropshire?

Shropshire is one of England's quieter wine counties, overshadowed by the more established South East and the South West, but its combination of free-draining soils, gentle slopes and a cool but not extreme climate is well suited to the modern hybrid and classic varieties the family have chosen to plant. The site at Rodington, with its natural elevation and aspect, allows for good air drainage and sunlight interception, two factors that are vital for getting the best out of aromatic whites and delicate reds in a northern English climate.

Visiting Rodington Vineyard

The vineyard is open to visitors and is a genuinely welcoming stop on a tour of the West Midlands and Welsh Borders wine scene.

Opening Hours

  • Open: 10am to 4pm, every day except Wednesdays

Getting There

Rodington Vineyard sits in the village of Rodington, a short drive from Wellington and the M54, and within easy reach of Shrewsbury, Telford and the Shropshire Hills. The full address and postcode for sat-nav use are:

  • Rodington Vineyard, Sugden Lane, Rodington, Shropshire TF6 6ND, UK

Contact

  • Telephone: 01952 770 858
  • The on-site Vineyard Shop is the hub for collection of online orders, drop-in tastings (subject to availability) and buying wine to take home
  • An online contact form is available
  • Facebook: /Rodingtonvineyard

Wine Tasting and Tours

Wine tasting and tour experiences are currently unavailable. Private group visits, corporate tastings and future scheduled tasting events can be arranged by calling the vineyard.

The Wines of Rodington Vineyard

Rodington's range is built around seven wines, split across still whites, rosés (still and sparkling) and still reds, with prices sitting comfortably between £12.50 and £28.00 per bottle. All wines are produced from grapes grown on the estate at Rodington, with the winemaking and bottling carried out under the family name.

All wines are available to purchase online through the Rodington Vineyard shop. Please note that orders are for collection only from the Vineyard Shop (postcode TF6 6ND); the team will prepare orders and have them waiting for you when you arrive.

White Wines

Bacchus 2015 - £12.50

A still white made from the aromatic Bacchus variety, the 2015 vintage is a medium-dry blend bottled at 11% vol. Bacchus is often described as England's answer to Sauvignon Blanc, and Rodington's version is a fine ambassador for the variety: herbaceous, fresh and gently floral, with the crisp finish that makes it a flexible food wine. It works equally well as an aperitif or paired with salads, goat's cheese and lighter fish dishes.

Solaris Dry 2014 - £15.00

Solaris is a German-bred white variety that has performed exceptionally well in the UK thanks to its early ripening and natural resistance to disease. The 2014 vintage is an off-dry style with an intensity of aroma that punches well above its modest price tag. Tasting notes from the winery describe "intense aromas of green pea, asparagus and passion fruit, with a lively juicy green and red apple flavour. Light-bodied and floral, sweet and sour, with good length." A superb introduction to modern English white winemaking.

Sparkling White Brut - £28.00

A traditional-method style sparkling wine made entirely from Seyval Blanc, the highest-quality selection of estate-grown Seyval Blanc grapes producing a bright, citrus-led fizz with the depth and mousse expected of a quality English sparkling. The 2015 vintage is bottled at 11% vol and is the perfect choice for celebrations, receptions or simply a weekend treat.

Rosé Wines

Rosé 2015 - £12.50

A delicate, food-friendly rosé blended from Seyval and Rondo, pressed gently to capture the pale, salmon hue that English rosés are increasingly known for. Bottled at 10% vol, this is a softly fruity, dry-finishing rosé with enough body to pair with grilled chicken, lamb or summer salads. It also took an International High Commendation at the International Wine Challenge 2017.

Pink Sparkling Brut - £28.00

The flagship pink fizz in the Rodington range. This signature 2015 vintage is made from a top-quality blend of Pinot Noir and Seyval Blanc, bottled at 11% vol. The careful red-fruited character of Pinot Noir is balanced by the bright citrus and mineral lift of Seyval Blanc, giving a complex, food-friendly sparkling rosé. Like the still Rosé 2015, it received an International High Commendation at the International Wine Challenge 2017.

Red Wines

Rondo Medium Red 2017 - £12.50

Rondo has proved to be one of the most reliable red varieties in the English climate, and the 2017 vintage is a popular return release from Rodington. Made with the estate's highest-quality Rondo grapes and bottled at 11.5% vol, this medium-dry red offers plump dark-fruit character, soft tannins and a generous finish that suits both heartier mid-week dinners and casual entertaining.

Rondo Oaked 2015 - £12.50

For those who prefer a red with a little more structure, the Rondo Oaked 2015 offers the same generous Rondo fruit passed through oak for added depth and a touch of spice. Bottled at 10% vol, it is a versatile, food-friendly English red that pairs particularly well with lamb, mushroom dishes and hard cheeses.

Awards and Recognition

In the few short years since opening, Rodington Vineyard has built an enviable trophy cabinet. The wines have been judged on the international, national and regional stage, and the awards reflect the consistent quality of the winemaking programme.

International Recognition

  • International Wine Challenge Silver Medal - awarded to the Solaris Dry, whose label proudly displays the medal. The Shropshire Star quoted Robert Boutflower of Shrewsbury-based Tanners wine merchants as saying: "The Rodington vineyard has only been planted five or six years ago, and it is already making a seriously good white… It took a silver medal last year in an international wine competition for its 2014 vintage, and it deserved to do so. It is such a good, well-balanced wine."
  • International Wine Challenge 2017 - High Commendation awarded to both the Sparkling Pinot Noir/Seyval Blend (now sold as Pink Sparkling Brut) and the Rosé 2015.

National and Regional Trophies

  • English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition - Silver Trophies (two), including the Welland Valley Silver Trophy for Best Rosé Wine 2014 and the Wroxeter Silver Trophy for Best Medium Dry White Wine (Solaris 2014).
  • Best Medium Dry White Wine Trophy - Wroxeter Trophy.
  • Best Rosé Trophy - Welland Valley Trophy.

Mercian Vineyards Association

As a member of the Mercian Vineyards Association, which represents vineyards across the English Midlands and Welsh Borders, Rodington has won a string of medals at the Mercian Vineyards Association Annual Wine Challenge. Awards include Silver medals for the Bacchus 2014 and the Rose 2013, a Bronze for the Solaris 2013, and Highly Commended for both the Rondo 2013 and Ortega 2013. The vineyard's first-year success story has also been featured by the Mercian Vineyards Association.

Rodington Vineyard in the Media

The story of Rodington has captured regional and national attention since its first harvest, with a number of high-profile features across print, radio and television.

BBC Features

  • BBC2 - Back to the Land with Kate Humble: Rodington Vineyard was featured on the BBC Two programme Back to the Land with Kate Humble, broadcast on Thursday 10 May 2018 at 7pm.
  • BBC Radio with Sybil Ruscoe: The family was interviewed on BBC Radio, where Sybil Ruscoe met the team and discussed their international award-winning vineyard.

Print and Online Press

  • The Shropshire Star has featured Rodington several times, including coverage of the Two Silver Trophies at the English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition, the International Silver Medal for the Solaris Dry, the vineyard's grand opening in 2015 and the original family harvest story.
  • Shropshire Magazine (October edition) included a feature on the vineyard.
  • Marks & Spencer: The award-winning Rodington Vineyard Rosé has been listed and sold through Marks & Spencer, putting the estate's wine in front of a national audience.

Robert Boutflower, Tanners Wine Merchants

The Shropshire Star's 2017 article, Raise a Glass to English Wines, singled out the Rodington vineyard for particular praise, with Tanners' Robert Boutflower describing the estate's Blue Tractor Solaris as "worthy of special mention" in a wider feature on the rise of English wines.

Buying Rodington Vineyard Wines

Buying direct from the vineyard is the best way to experience the full range. Every wine is available in the online shop with tasting notes, grouped into:

  • White Wines - Bacchus 2015, Solaris Dry 2014 and Sparkling White Brut.
  • Rosé Wines - Pink Sparkling Brut and Rosé 2015.
  • Red Wines - Rondo Medium Red 2017 and Rondo Oaked 2015.

Orders are processed for collection only from the Vineyard Shop at TF6 6ND. Once the team receives your order they will prepare it and have it ready in the shop for you to pick up, which makes a visit to the vineyard a chance to combine a collection with a walk through the vines and a chat with the family.

Why Rodington Matters to English Wine

Rodington's story is part of a much bigger shift in English wine. When the family planted their first vines in 2009, English wine was still a curiosity in many parts of the country; today it is regularly outperforming traditional competitors on the world stage. Vineyards like Rodington, in non-traditional regions such as the Midlands, are at the forefront of that change, demonstrating that with careful site selection, the right varieties and meticulous vineyard management, outstanding still and sparkling wines can be made well outside the historical heartlands of English viticulture.

The family's pride in putting "Shropshire onto the International Wine Map" is justified: the International Wine Challenge silver, the English & Welsh Wine of the Year trophies and the listings at Marks & Spencer all stand as evidence that the wines can compete at the highest level.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are a seasoned English wine enthusiast, a Shropshire day-tripper looking for something off the beaten track, or simply after a bottle of well-made, award-winning fizz for a special occasion, Rodington Vineyard is well worth a detour.

At a Glance

  • Vineyard: Rodington Vineyard, Sugden Lane, Rodington, Shropshire TF6 6ND
  • Open: 10am - 4pm, daily except Wednesdays
  • Phone: 01952 770 858
  • Facebook: /Rodingtonvineyard
  • Wines available: 7 wines (3 white, 2 rosé, 2 red), £12.50 - £28.00 per bottle
  • Orders: Collection only from the on-site Vineyard Shop

Wines & Products (7)

Bacchus 2015 · wine £12.5
Rondo Medium Red 2017 · wine £12.5
Rondo Oaked 2015 · wine £12.5
Rosé 2015 · wine £12.5
Solaris Dry 2014 · wine £15
Pink Sparkling Brut · wine £28
Sparkling White Brut · wine £28

Shop wines ↗

Location

TF6 6ND