Venn Valley Vineyard - Award-Winning English Wines, Tours & The Vine Café in North Devon
Tucked into the green rolling hills of North Devon, between the villages of Landkey and Swimbridge just outside Barnstaple, Venn Valley Vineyard is one of the very few commercial vineyards in the region and one of the most quietly accomplished new English wine estates to have emerged in recent years. Run hands-on by owners Alina and Tony, the smallholding combines a working farm, a sustainably managed vineyard, an on-site winery, a tasting room and a café-restaurant called The Vine, all on a single south-facing slope less than 100 metres above sea level.
The estate has rapidly earned a reputation that belies its modest size. In the 2025 Taste of the West Awards alone, the team picked up a Gold Award for their Special Reserve Sparkling Wine and a second Gold for the Devon White, alongside a Silver for the Devon Rosé. That same quality has caught the eye of Country Living Magazine, which ran a digital competition giving away bottles of the First Release Sparkling Wine - a useful reminder that this is a small, hand-tended vineyard rather than a factory-scale operation.
Where Venn Valley Vineyard is Located
The vineyard lies on the same latitude as the great wine-growing regions around Cologne in Germany, which the team are fond of pointing out: until relatively recently, England was generally thought to be too cool for viticulture, but the warming climate and improved cool-climate varieties have changed the picture entirely. Venn Valley's address is:
- Venn Valley Vineyard
- Blakes Hill Road, Newland, Landkey
- Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0NN
From the A361, take the Swimbridge / Landkey turn-off, proceed through Landkey village and continue out the other side. Once past the village, Venn Valley Vineyard can be found on the right-hand side along Blakes Hill Road, on the long main stretch of road. There is plenty of parking on site, and on arrival visitors are asked to head first to The Vine Café.
Our Story: From Long Career to a Devon Vineyard
Venn Valley is very much a personal project. After decades of nine-to-five careers that took Alina and Tony all over the world, the couple set out to fulfil a long-held dream of buying a home in the country with enough land to plant a vineyard. They wanted a simpler way of life, working together in a glorious location and following the rhythms of nature.
Alina's first step was to enrol on a viticulture course at Plumpton College in East Sussex, gaining the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to embark on the vineyard journey. Finding the right plot proved harder. For over two years they searched from Cornwall to Kent for a south-facing slope under 100 metres above sea level that they could afford. Eventually the search ended in North Devon, and the fifty-acre farm they bought - with its woodland, hedgerows, river, three ponds and abundance of wildlife - became the home of Venn Valley Vineyard.
The team takes great pride in personally tending the vines, from hand pruning in winter to canopy management in summer and careful hand-picking of the grapes in autumn. The farm also supports a free-range egg enterprise, a new orchard and woodland planting, and - soon - a 'Grand Designs'-style underground farmhouse designed by Tony himself.
Meet the Team
Alina
Alina studied Geography at Plymouth University, where she and Tony first met. Her subsequent career took her across the UK and internationally, building extensive experience in business administration and event management, skills that proved invaluable in setting up and running the farm and vineyard. She later augmented this with the principles of vine growing at Plumpton College. Earlier in her career Alina worked with English Nature on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, an experience that cemented her interest in environmental science, sustainability and soil health - the ethos she and Tony have brought to Venn Valley Vineyard.
Tony
Tony is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with a successful background in the oil and gas, water, marine and Search and Rescue sectors - work that took him around the world. He is particularly proud of his time with the RNLI, where he was a Senior Engineer in the Engineering Department and played an instrumental role in developing the charity's first Inshore Rescue Hovercraft. He was also part of the RNLI teams that won Channel 4's Full Metal Challenge (World Champions) and Scrapheap Mega Challenge. Those varied skills are now put to daily use on the farm, from constructing a 1,560 m² free-range egg production facility to designing the planned underground farmhouse, fixing farm machinery and looking after the vines.
The Vineyard: Site, Soil and Grape Varieties
Venn Valley Vineyard sits on the site of what was previously a Farm Park - vines now grow where Highland cattle once grazed. The team has taken a hands-on approach at every stage of the vineyard's development.
Planting History
- 2016: First planting of four and a half acres, establishing two varieties of Pinot Noir along with Seyval Blanc and Ortega.
- 2017: A further two acres of Madeleine Angevine planted.
- 2022 onwards: Commercial wine production begins, initially focused on still white and rosé wines, with sparkling wines added over the following years.
The two Pinot Noir varieties are red grapes; Seyval Blanc, Ortega and Madeleine Angevine are early-ripening white varieties tolerant of English conditions. As the vineyard matures, the plan is to extend the cellar door to include both sparkling and still wines of the highest quality.
Sustainability and Soil Health
Sustainability, soil health and regenerative agriculture are at the core of the vineyard's development, alongside an ambition to increase biodiversity while nurturing vines to produce high-quality, authentic wine. The team uses an integrated viticulture approach that combines traditional, organic and biodynamic practices.
Rather than spraying herbicide to create a sterile strip beneath the vines, Venn Valley uses strimming and mulching to suppress weed growth and add nutrients to the soil without chemical inputs or disturbance to soil structure. Naturally produced biodynamic soil enhancers and compost teas are used to boost symbiotic microbial and mycorrhizal activity and increase soil carbon storage.
Wildlife and Habitat
Grass and wildflower strips are being established around the vineyard's perimeter to attract pollinating insects and provide a haven for invertebrates and small animals. New orchard and woodland planting is augmenting existing woodland and hedgerows, and low-till methods are generally used across the land. Over time these new habitats will mature and interconnect with the wider countryside, providing migration routes and refuges for wildlife.
The Wines
All of Venn Valley's wines are made in small batches from estate-grown fruit, harvested by hand. The current range covers still whites, still rosés and traditional-method sparkling wines, and is available to order online or to taste during a visit.
Venn Valley Devon White
A dry single-varietal white made from Seyval Blanc, light and crisp with high acidity. Aromas and flavours of citrus, green apple and honeydew melon are balanced by a noticeable minerality. 2022 vintage, 11.5% ABV, harvested in October. Available from £18.99 per bottle.
Venn Valley Devon Rosé
A complex rosé that is light and crisp with delicate red-fruit notes of Pinot Noir, peach, melon and floral notes from Seyval, Ortega and Madeleine Angevine. The Ortega component adds a noticeable spicy quality, complemented by a grapefruit tang and a lengthy aftertaste. 2022 vintage, 11.5% ABV, harvested in October. Currently listed as out of stock. From £19.99.
Venn Valley Pinot Noir Rosé
A single-varietal Pinot Noir rosé with crisp acidity, delicate strawberry, red cherry and rose-petal notes, finishing with an attractive herbaceous edge. 2022 vintage, 11.5% ABV, harvested in October. From £21.99.
Venn Valley First Release (Sparkling)
Made from 100% Seyval Blanc, this 2021 vintage sparkling is wonderfully fresh and crisp. The palate has zesty orange and grapefruit notes with tropical fruits and subtle minerality, and time on lees has added richness and texture. A small addition of 0.8 g/L sugar post-fermentation softens the balance for those who prefer a slightly sweeter style. 11.5% ABV, harvested in November, aged in bottle. £32.00 per bottle.
Venn Valley Special Reserve (Sparkling)
Slightly drier than the First Release, as no sugar is added post-fermentation. Also 100% Seyval Blanc and 2021 vintage, this is a perfectly balanced sparkling wine with the same zesty orange and grapefruit character, tropical fruit notes, subtle minerality and lees-aged richness and texture. 11.5% ABV. £36.00 per bottle. Gold Award - Taste of the West Awards 2025.
Venn Valley Still Mixed 6
A six-bottle mixed case of the first vintage still wines: three bottles of Devon White and three bottles of Devon Rosé. £116.94 per case.
Venn Valley Collection (Mixed 6)
The full mixed collection, containing two bottles of Devon White, two bottles of Devon Rosé, one bottle of First Release and one bottle of Special Reserve - a complete tour of the current range. £145.96 per case.
Venn Valley Sparkling 6
A six-bottle case devoted to sparkling wine: three bottles of First Release and three of Special Reserve. £204.00 per case.
Wine Accessories and Gift Presentation
For gifting, Venn Valley also stocks a small range of locally made wooden wine boxes and carriers, hand-built by North Devon Woodcraft:
- Single Wooden Wine Box - 8 mm planed pine stained with gold cedar, sliding lid and carry handle. £8.00.
- Single Wooden Wine Carrier - wooden carrier with integrated handle and a cut-out Venn Valley logo, suitable for a single bottle. £10.00.
- Double Wooden Wine Box - same construction as the single, sized for two bottles. £10.00.
- Triple Wooden Wine Box - same construction, sized for three bottles. £12.00.
Delivery, Collections and Gift Vouchers
Wine is dispatched within the UK only. Standard delivery is a flat £12.95 per order via Parcelforce and takes around five working days; because wine must be signed for by someone over 18, an adult will need to be in at the delivery address. A free collection from the vineyard option is also available - once an order is placed the team contacts the buyer to arrange a day and time.
Gift vouchers are sent by Royal Mail at a flat £1.95 per order. Vouchers must be redeemed in person at the winery for wine purchases or vineyard tour bookings and cannot be used online.
Vineyard Tours and Wine Tastings
For visitors who want to see the vines up close, Venn Valley runs guided vineyard tours and wine tastings led by Alina and Tony themselves. Tours cover the story of the vineyard from its beginnings to the present day, the unique approach used to grow grapes in North Devon, the winemaking process, and finally a tasting of up to four English wines.
Practical Information
- Duration: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Cost: £20.00 per person.
- Maximum group size: 20 people.
- Tour times: 10.30 am and 2.30 pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, plus 10.30 am on Sundays.
There is plenty of parking on site, and dogs on leads are welcome. Tours begin promptly, so visitors should aim to arrive in good time and head first to The Vine Café on arrival. Some walking on grass is required and the ground can be sloping and uneven; waterproofs and sensible shoes are advised. Tour terms and conditions apply, and bookings can be made online.
The Vine Café
Adjacent to the winery sits The Vine, a large, inviting café-restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, cakes, wine and cocktails, plus a Sunday roast. The space is also used for live music evenings, private hire and weddings, and is fully dog-friendly.
The Vine Café Opening Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Telephone bookings for The Vine Café can be made on 07535 515771, with online reservations taken via Table Agent. The Vine is also active on Facebook and Instagram for updates on menus and events.
Awards and Recognition
Venn Valley's wines have picked up a string of regional accolades, including:
- Taste of the West Awards 2025 - Gold for Special Reserve Sparkling Wine.
- Taste of the West Awards 2025 - Gold for Devon White.
- Taste of the West Awards 2025 - Silver for Devon Rosé.
Earlier coverage included a digital competition by Country Living Magazine offering ten readers the chance to win a bottle of the First Release Sparkling Wine.
How to Reach Us
For the vineyard and winery:
- Phone: 07552 230377
- Email: [email protected]
For The Vine Café:
- Phone: 07535 515771
- Email: [email protected]
Postal enquiries and returns should go to the vineyard address:
- Venn Valley Vineyard, Blakes Hill Road, Newland, Landkey, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0NN
Stay Connected
For news, harvest updates, tour availability and event announcements, the easiest way to keep in touch is via Venn Valley's social channels:
Venn Valley Vineyard is also a partner of the North Devon Biosphere, reflecting its commitment to sustainable land management and biodiversity.
Plan Your Visit
Whether visitors come for a vineyard tour, a long lunch at The Vine, or simply to pick up a bottle of award-winning English sparkling from the cellar door, Venn Valley offers a refreshingly personal take on English wine. The vineyard is small enough that Alina or Tony will almost certainly be on hand on the day, and the wines - particularly the Seyval Blanc-based Special Reserve and First Release sparklings, the Devon White and the Pinot Noir Rosé - punch well above their weight. Bookings for tours can be made online, and wine orders, mixed cases and gift boxes are available through the online shop.