Tennygrove Vineyard - Bath's Most Central Vineyard
Introduction
If you have ever wanted to walk among English vines and taste home-grown fizz without leaving the city limits, Tennygrove Vineyard is one of the most exciting new projects in the West Country. Tucked into the rolling farmland of Upper Shockerwick, just a few miles from the centre of Bath in Somerset, Tennygrove bills itself as Bath's most central vineyard. It is also one of the youngest: the first vines were hand planted in 2023, the inaugural harvest followed in September 2025, and the estate's debut Prelude Edition of English sparkling wines was launched the same autumn.
The Story So Far
Tennygrove is the work of Ally and Rupert, who moved to the area while house hunting near Bath. The estate agent casually mentioned that the farmland at Upper Shockerwick had been analysed and was considered perfect for an English vineyard. Having watched the film A Good Year at least once a year for a decade, the couple were captivated by the idea.
Once they had unpacked, they arranged for the hill farm, previously used only for grazing, to be analysed for elevation, sunlight hours, weather factors, soil type and overall grape growing potential. With a near-perfect pH and shelter from the wind, they chose the field next to the farmhouse as the site for their vineyard. After permission from Natural England was granted and deer fencing procured, a planting team arrived in May 2023 to hand-plant more than 4,000 vines directly into the native English grassland, taking care not to disturb the local flora.
The Grape Varieties
Ally's love for Blanc de Blanc champagne inspired a majority planting of Chardonnay, complemented by a mix of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to add variety and flavour options. Together, this classic Champagne trio forms the backbone of the Tennygrove estate and points to a future of characterful English sparkling wine.
A First Harvest in 2025
The first harvest at Tennygrove took place in September 2025. With patience and some good English weather, the team are now anticipating some seriously impressive sparkling and still English wines to follow in the years to come.
The Prelude Edition of English Sparkling Wines
While Ally and Rupert are busy bringing their own vines into production, they took a fit of impatience and decided to buy in some local grape juice from vineyards across Somerset and Wiltshire. Working alongside the winemaker at Furleigh Estate, they have overseen the finishing of four delicious sparkling wines, all made from locally grown grapes. The result is the Tennygrove Prelude Edition, launched to market in autumn 2025.
Tasting the Prelude Range
The Prelude Edition is the public face of Tennygrove for now, and the easiest way to discover the wines is by joining one of the estate's vineyard open days. Each tasting features all four of the Prelude sparkling wines, accompanied by the views, sunshine (hopefully) and easy conversation that the Upper Shockerwick site affords.
The Prelude range can be ordered through the Tennygrove shop, while group tastings and pre-booked experiences are also available.
Location and Setting
Tennygrove sits on the south-facing slopes around Upper Shockerwick Farm, BA1 7LH. Despite feeling genuinely rural, the vineyard is remarkably accessible from Bath and the surrounding villages, and is just a short stroll from the Bathford and Batheaston walking routes. Visitors arriving by car will find parking available on site.
- Address: Tennygrove Vineyard, Upper Shockerwick Farm, Upper Shockerwick, Bath, BA1 7LH
- Region: Somerset, England
- Access: On-site parking, plus walking routes from Bathford and Batheaston through the wild flower meadow
What to Expect on Site
The team are quick to point out that vineyards are wild places. Visitors should expect uneven ground and the occasional nettle, and are warmly invited to bring a rug and a picnic so they can sit and relax among the vines on a sunny afternoon.
Experiences and Tours
Tennygrove is a young vineyard, but it is already open to visitors through a small but thoughtfully chosen programme of experiences.
Vineyard Open Days
The headline event is the Vineyard Open Day, which combines a tour of the site with a guided tasting of the four Prelude sparkling wines. Tickets are priced as follows:
- Four Sparkling Wine Tastings - £18 per person
- Glass of Local Sparkling Wine - £9 per person
Pre-booked tickets are essential, and can be secured via the events page. There is no ticket charge for children, and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Group Tastings
Alongside the open days, pre-booked group tastings are available from Easter 2026 onwards. These are ideal for private celebrations, corporate away-days and small clubs that want to explore the Prelude range in a more focused setting. Bookings are arranged through the contact page.
Volunteer Mornings
For those who want to get their hands dirty rather than simply taste the results, Tennygrove runs regular volunteer mornings. The team meets on the first Friday of every month from 9:30 to 12:30, and volunteers receive basic viticulture training, learn about the seasons of growing and pruning vines, and work alongside the team out in the vineyard. Coffee and biscuits are provided to keep energy levels up.
Visiting the Vineyard
Because Tennygrove is a working, developing site rather than a permanent visitor centre, visitors come by appointment outside of scheduled open days. This keeps the operation personal and ensures visitors get the best possible welcome when they arrive.
Getting There
- By car: Use the postcode BA1 7LH to reach Upper Shockerwick Farm. On-site parking is available.
- On foot: Walking routes from Bathford and Batheaston run through the wild flower meadow and connect directly to the vineyard.
- By appointment: Group visits, tastings and trade enquiries can be arranged via the contact page.
Contact Information
- Phone: +44 (0)7980 998 384
- Address: Tennygrove Vineyard, Upper Shockerwick Farm, Bath, BA1 7LH, United Kingdom
- Website: tennygrove.com
Follow Tennygrove Online
Updates from the vineyard are most often shared on Instagram, where the team posts regular pictures of the vines, the weather, and the progress of the wines. Follow them at @tennygrove_vineyard. There is also a Tennygrove Vineyard Facebook page for news, events and announcements.
Why Tennygrove Matters
Tennygrove is part of a new generation of English vineyards that are changing how and where English sparkling wine is made. By planting vines within easy reach of a major cultural city, by relying on hand-planting rather than mechanical methods, and by partnering with an established Somerset winemaker while their own vines mature, Ally and Rupert are quietly building something distinctive. With the first harvest now in the cellar and the Prelude Edition already on shelves, Bath finally has its own central vineyard to call its own.