Swanaford Vineyard: Award-Winning English Wines on the Edge of Dartmoor
Swanaford Vineyard: A Family-Run Estate on the Edge of Dartmoor
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Teign Valley, just six miles from Exeter in Devon, Swanaford Estate is a small but ambitious family vineyard that has made a name for itself as one of the most welcoming English wine producers on the south-west edge of Dartmoor. Planted in 2013 by Ben and Caroline Goulden after a bold move from London, the vineyard today produces a focused range of award-winning sparkling and still wines from ten thousand vines that bask on a south-east-facing slope.
What began as a leap of faith has matured into a thriving destination where visitors can walk the vines, taste four wines in a bespoke timber barn, tuck into a cheese board or a sharing platter of cured meats, stay the night in a thatched cottage, and even host their wedding. This guide takes you through everything you need to know about visiting Swanaford, from the wines in the glass to the easiest way to find the vineyard down a winding Devon lane.
The Story Behind Swanaford Vineyard
Swanaford is the kind of English wine story that has become familiar in the last twenty years but still feels singular every time it is told. Ben and Caroline Goulden moved from London with the ambition of making great English sparkling and still wines. They prepared the site and, in 2013, hired a crack team of laser-guided German planters who drove every vine into the ground in a single day. "It seemed easy," the couple wryly note, "until the crack team left and the really hard work began."
Both armed with viticulture qualifications, Ben and Caroline set about the daunting task of training ten thousand plants into productive vines, navigating the steep learning curve of growing grapes in Devon. Nine years on, the vineyard felt like it was beginning to fly, and in 2017 the couple built a bespoke tasting barn on site. That barn is now the social heart of Swanaford, the place where visitors arrive, where the wine flights are poured, and where couples plan their wedding breakfasts against the backdrop of the Teign Valley.
The forward plan is to deepen collaborations with local food producers, wine authorities and health experts to bring visitors a wider raft of experiences, from sit-down feasts to wellness weekends. In Spring 2022 the estate also received Covid Bounceback Plan funding through Devon County Council's Elevation Fund Community Renewal Fund, which supported a summer marketing campaign and additional employment at the vineyard.
Where Is Swanaford and How to Find It
Swanaford sits in the Teign Valley, a particularly beautiful stretch of Devon countryside that tumbles south from Dartmoor towards the estuary at Newton Abbot. The postal address is Swanaford Vineyard, Swanaford Road, Bridford, Exeter, EX6 7HG, and the vineyard is well signed once you know to ignore your sat nav. The directions are straightforward, and the punchline is this: stay on the B3212 from Exeter or Chudleigh, do not be tempted up towards the Bridford Inn, and turn down Swanaford Road only when you see the post box in the hedge.
From Exeter, take the B3212 to Dunsford. After about seven miles, descend a hill approaching Dunsford and take the left-hand turn signposted Christow and Canonteign Falls. Follow the river on your right, cross the stone hump-back bridge, and take the almost-immediate turn in front of you. After two bends and roughly fifty metres, take the sharp right turn down Swanaford Road. After about 100 metres you will pass the drive for Swanaford House and then see the vineyard entrance on your right. Park in front of the barn.
From Chudleigh, head down the B3212 towards Christow and Dunsford. At the end of a long straight, turn left up Swanaford Road (the post box in the hedge marks the start of the road). If you cross the river Teign, you have gone too far. Follow the lane up the hill for fifty metres, take the right turn down Swanaford Road, then look out for the vineyard entrance 100 metres past Swanaford House drive. If your sat nav insists on routing you via the Bridford Inn, ignore it and head back down to the B3212.
The Wines of Swanaford Estate
The Swanaford range is small, focused and made entirely from estate-grown fruit. The current line-up covers three still wines, two sparkling wines and a museum-release vintage sparkler. All bottles can be shipped within the UK, and the team also offers free delivery within fifteen miles of the vineyard on local orders. Wines can be bought online.
Swanaford Estate White (2023) - £14.99
The everyday white that has become one of Swanaford's best sellers. Clean and bright with crisp fruit and citrus notes, the 2023 release is built on Siegerrebe (a pink-skinned German grape famous for its spicy, lychee and tropical aromatic profile) blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to bring complexity and refinement. The result is an easy-drinking white that pairs beautifully with seafood or lightly spiced dishes. Order the Estate White online.
Swanaford Kingfisher Bacchus (2023) - £17.49
A refined and fresh, single-vintage 100% Bacchus from 2023. Dry and aromatic with peach notes across the palate, this bright and clean wine is a fine example of one of England's signature varieties. The wine is aged for just three months on American oak, which infuses subtle hints of vanilla and caramel and lends the finished wine a finessed body and rounded finish. Order the Kingfisher Bacchus online.
Swanaford Chardonnay (2023) - £19.50
The release of Swanaford's first 100% Chardonnay is a testament to the quality of the 2023 harvest. Hand-picked from premium vines, this pale gold wine shows citrus and vanilla on the nose, with apple, white peach and lemon peel across the palate. Beautifully balanced with bright acidity and a long mouth feel, the wine was aged in French oak and steel at a ratio of 80/20. Order the Chardonnay online.
Swanaford Classic Cuvée 2022 - £29.95
A benchmark English sparkling wine made from specially selected parcels of estate-grown Chardonnay (60%), Pinot Noir (30%) and Pinot Meunier (10%). The 2022 vintage is perfectly balanced, with distinctive patisserie notes on the nose and delicate, delightful orchard fruit on the palate. It is the bottle you will most often be poured on a tour and tasting. Order the Classic Cuvée online.
Swanaford Sparkling Rosé (2021) - £31.95
An elegant, salmon-pink sparkler with a delicate Provençal hue, this 2021 vintage is characterised by a fine mousse, delicate citrus twist and red berry profile. Lightly toasty on the nose, the wine bursts with strawberry on the palate and is crafted from a Pinot-forward blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, made in the traditional method. Independent English Wine Awards Gold winner in 2020. Order the Sparkling Rosé online.
Swanaford 'Acorns' (2018) - £35.95
The Swanaford showstopper. A rare and exceptional single-vintage Classic Cuvée from 2018, widely considered to be one of the best winemaking years in recent history. Made from a specially selected blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, the wine has spent seven years on its lees and has won two gold medals (Independent English Wine Awards and Food/Drink Devon). Wonderfully balanced with notes of brioche, delicate tannins, finessed freshness and a citrus twist. Order the Acorns online.
Visiting the Vineyard: Tours, Tastings and Self-Guided Walks
Swanaford is unusually generous with the ways in which it welcomes visitors. There are three principal experiences on offer: a guided Tour + Tasting Experience, a self-guided walk with a wine flight, and a booking voucher that turns the guided tour into a gift.
The Tour + Tasting Experience - £20 per person
The flagship experience at Swanaford. Guided tours take place almost every Wednesday afternoon (2pm), Friday evening (5.30pm) and Saturday morning (11.30am) from Easter through to the end of September, with a handful of additional Sunday slots during peak summer. Each tour takes around 90 minutes and begins with a walk in the vines, where the team explains how grapes are grown in Devon and the realities of farming on this south-east-facing slope. The group then returns to the tasting barn to try four of the wines, including two sparkling, while Ben or Caroline talk through how the wines are made.
The price is £20 per person, with children under 18 free and dogs on leads welcome. Cheese and charcuterie boards can be added to the booking by emailing ben@swanaford.com. A minimum of six people is required to run a tour, in which case the team will offer an alternative date or a full refund. The team is also legally obliged to ask for proof of age from anyone who appears under 21, so bring photo ID if you are bringing young adults. A drop-down calendar shows every available date for booking the Tour + Tasting Experience.
Self Guided Tour with Wine Flight - £15 per person
For visitors who have not got time to commit to a guided tour, the self-guided option is the most flexible way to discover Swanaford. Drop in during opening hours, purchase a map and accompanying leaflet from the barn, and follow a point-to-point route through the vines that takes about 30 minutes. Each stop on the walk has a short fact to read, and at the end you return to the tasting barn for a flight of three perfectly chilled Swanaford wines (including at least one sparkling) with tasting notes. There is no need to book. The self-guided tours run from 1 April until the end of October.
Tour + Tasting Experience Voucher For Two - £40
The voucher is a fantastic gift for wine enthusiasts, holidaymakers in the county, or anyone who fancies spending a few hours doing something new. It admits two people to the guided tour, vineyard walk and tasting barn experience for four wines, and the voucher is valid forever. Use the code POSTFREE at checkout for free delivery. The Tour + Tasting Experience Voucher for Two can be bought online.
Small Plates and Cheese Boards at the Vineyard
Food at Swanaford is centred on a menu of carefully curated small plates designed to be enjoyed with a chilled glass of wine. Each board is built around a single local producer and crafted to pair with the estate wines.
- Cheese Board - £13. A selection of three artisan cheeses from the award-winning Curworth Dairy near Okehampton, served with a pot of home-made pickle and an assortment of crackers. The board typically features the nutty, buttery 'Haytor' hard cheese and the brie-style soft 'Devon Maid', chosen to pair with the wines.
- Charcuterie Board - £10. A West Country charcuterie board featuring two premium cured meats from Felix Craft, head chef of the acclaimed Stage restaurant in Exeter. Locally sourced meats, naturally concentrated and full of bold umami character. Pairs particularly well with the Chardonnay or Classic Cuvée.
- Pickled Veg - £7. A fresh, zingy plate of in-house pickled vegetables made using traditional pickling methods. Served with sweet pickled cherry tomatoes or cucumber, the vegetables change seasonally and are currently celeriac. The perfect foil for the richness of the cheese or charcuterie boards.
Order three plates for a lovely two-person lunch, or add more for a larger group. To add small plates to a tour booking, or to drop in for a quick bite, email ben@swanaford.com in advance. The full food menu is available to browse.
Weddings at Swanaford Vineyard
Swanaford has built a reputation as a relaxed, beautiful Devon vineyard wedding venue. The ethos is to create a calm haven of countryside tranquility and to give each couple the freedom to create something unique and memorable. The vineyard is nestled among the hills of the Teign Valley, providing a magical backdrop for a wedding blessing or reception, and the pricing is positioned as exceptional value.
Couples get exclusive use of the site the day before, the day of, and the day after the wedding, with both inside and outside ceremony locations available. Accommodation for up to 10 guests is included in the three vineyard cottages, and the nearby Weeke Barton boutique hotel is just a few minutes' walk away for additional guests. Camping pitches are also available to take the hassle out of travelling. The team can host formal occasions, relaxed rustic days, or wedding breakfast picnics with nearest and dearest. Bookings are now being taken for 2027 and beyond; to discuss, call Ben on 07956 306 872 or email ben@swanaford.com. A dedicated Weddings section outlines everything on offer.
Stay in the Vineyard Cottages
The vineyard is set in 50 acres of glorious Devon countryside that includes three holiday cottages, all recently restored to a high standard. Two are sweet one-bedroom thatches, and the larger cottage sleeps four. Together, the three properties can accommodate eight, making them ideal for a special break with family or friends. Expect wood-burners, exposed beams, wonky walls and spectacular views. You do not have to be coming on a vineyard tour to stay, but you couldn't be closer if you wanted to combine the two. The cottages - Barnfield Cottage, Rose Cottage and West Park Cottage - are all listed on Airbnb:
The full accommodation details are easy to browse.
What's On and Upcoming Tours
The What's On calendar is updated throughout the season with new experiences, pop-ups and announcements. The rolling schedule of bookable Tour + Tasting Experience slots currently runs on Wednesday afternoons, Friday evenings and Saturday mornings from Easter through to the end of September, with select Sunday mornings during peak summer. Tours are £20 per person and last around 90 minutes.
Upcoming tour dates currently include Wednesday 12 August (2pm), Friday 14 August (5.30pm), Saturday 15 August (11.30am), Sunday 16 August (11.30am), Wednesday 19 August (2pm), Friday 21 August (5.30pm), Saturday 22 August (11.30am), Wednesday 26 August (2pm), Friday 28 August (5.30pm), Saturday 29 August (11.30am), Wednesday 2 September (2pm), Friday 4 September (5.30pm), Saturday 5 September (11.30am), Wednesday 9 September (2pm), Friday 11 September (5.30pm), Sunday 13 September (11.30am), Wednesday 16 September (2pm), Friday 18 September (5.30pm), Saturday 19 September (11.30am), Wednesday 23 September (2pm), Wednesday 30 September (2pm), Friday 2 October (5.30pm) and Saturday 3 October (11.30am). The self-guided tour with wine flight (£15) runs every day during opening hours from 1 April to the end of October.
Practical Information
The vineyard is open most days, although the team recommends calling ahead on 07956 306 872 if you want to check what is on offer. The address is Swanaford Vineyard, Swanaford Road, Bridford, Exeter, EX6 7HG. The team can be reached by email at ben@swanaford.com for tour bookings, food pre-orders, voucher redemptions, wedding enquiries and general questions. Swanaford is also active on social media: follow Swanaford Wine on Facebook and @swanaford on Instagram for news, new releases and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on the vineyard.
Why Swanaford Is Worth the Detour
English wine has changed enormously over the last decade, and Swanaford is a small estate that exemplifies the best of the new wave. The wines are serious, the team is warm, and the experience is firmly rooted in the Devon landscape. Whether you come for the self-guided walk and a glass of Classic Cuvée on a sunny afternoon, plan a guided tour with friends to compare the still wines, pre-order a Picnic in the Vines (or in the tasting barn) with a cheese board, or book the three cottages for a long weekend with family, Swanaford offers a quietly confident take on what a modern English vineyard can be. Just remember to stay on the B3212, turn at the post box in the hedge and follow the lane down to the barn.