Vines of Cheshire: A Family-Run Boutique Vineyard on the Edge of Chester
A New Generation of English Wine in the Heart of Cheshire
Just three miles south of Chester city centre and barely a mile from Chester Zoo, a quietly ambitious boutique vineyard is putting the county of Cheshire on the English wine map. Vines of Cheshire is a family-run project that combines the careful geology-led site selection of a serious wine estate with the warmth and personal touch of a small, hand-planted start-up. Its story begins with backpacker travels through Australia's Barossa and Hunter valleys, continues through vineyards in Italy, France, England and Wales, and arrives at a steep, south-west facing slope near the village of Backford - a parcel of land that turned out to be ideal for vines and impossibly hard to find.
The dream and the search for land
The owners' obsession with English and Welsh wine was born during trips closer to home, where they realised just how good British wine could be. Back in Cheshire, the search for suitable ground was harder than anticipated. Large parts of the county sit on thick glacial clay that drains slowly and is poorly suited to vine roots, and the local land market is famously competitive. After more than a year of looking, they finally secured a perfect spot: a steep, south and south-west facing slope with natural drainage and the all-important sun exposure needed to ripen grapes in the British climate. Simon's background in geology played a decisive role in identifying a site whose terroir could rival better-known English wine regions.
Planting the vines by hand
Once the soil had been prepared, the family planted 3,400 vines themselves - by hand, in the evenings, at weekends and on bank holidays during May and June 2023, all while maintaining full-time jobs and raising a young family. A further 2,600 vines were machine-planted by a specialist team in a single morning. The first green buds felt like a reward for months of effort, and a Coronation Day tribute was made on 6 May 2023 when the Seyval Blanc block was planted in honour of King Charles III.
The Wines
Vines of Cheshire's aim is straightforward but demanding: to produce exclusive, quality still and sparkling English wine sustainably. The current release is a tight, well-considered range of four wines, all bottled as Wine of England, all suitable for vegans and all produced in 75cl format. They are sold direct from the Vines of Cheshire online shop and can be tasted at the vineyard on a guided tour.
Sparkling Brut
The Sparkling Brut is made from Seyval Blanc grapes grown on the Backford slopes. It opens with dry brioche notes and finishes with a creamy, refreshing mousse. At 12% ABV and priced at £35.00 per bottle, it is positioned as a celebratory pour - equally at home at a wedding toast, a birthday, or a quiet evening that warrants a touch of elegance.
Sparkling Brut Rosé
Sister to the white Brut, the Sparkling Brut Rosé is also crafted from Seyval Blanc, but blended to add vibrant hints of summer berries on the palate. The result is a bottle that delivers the same brioche backbone with a fruitier, more summery twist. It also retails at £35.00 and is bottled at 12% ABV.
Solaris - Dry White
For a still white, the Solaris Dry White delivers bright, clean freshness with a crisp finish. Solaris is one of the most reliably aromatic cool-climate varieties available to British growers, and the Cheshire-grown fruit here is described as an easy-drinking favourite for any occasion. It is priced at £20.00 per bottle at 11% ABV.
Rosé
The Vines of Cheshire Rosé is the estate's award winner. Made from Cabernet Cortis and Cabernet Noir grapes from the 2025 harvest, it offers expressive notes of strawberry with a silky, cream-tinged finish and a dry style that drinks well on its own or alongside food. The wine picked up a WineGB Bronze Award, with WineGB Awards recognised as the country's most prestigious specialist competition benchmarking wines across the nation. It is priced at £20.00 per bottle at 12.5% ABV.
Grape Varieties and Sustainable Viticulture
Choosing what to plant was a decision the family took seriously. They wanted varieties that would thrive in the UK climate, contribute to exceptional English wines, and - crucially - allow for less intervention in the vineyard. Four varieties ultimately made it into the ground.
- Seyval Blanc: A versatile, cool-climate champion widely celebrated for crafting outstanding English sparkling wines. The Seyval Blanc block at Vines of Cheshire was hand-planted on 6 May 2023, the day of King Charles III's Coronation.
- Solaris: A reliable early-ripening white that produces crisp, aromatic still wines - the backbone of the estate's Dry White.
- Cabernet Cortis: A disease-resistant crossing used for rich reds and structured rosés.
- Cabernet Noir: Another hardy, cool-climate variety contributing to the delicate Rosé.
The two Cabernet crossings are particularly well suited to the UK's cool climate and boast natural disease resistance, allowing for a more sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to winemaking. They may not yet be household names, but the team is clear that they represent the future of sustainable viticulture and are already producing exceptional wines that are available to enjoy now.
Visiting the Vineyard
The vineyard sits close to the village of Backford, on the opposite side of the A41 to Backford Church, with the postcode CH2 4BE. The what3words reference is gentle.forest.vines. Limited on-site parking is available, with additional parking on Church Lane, but the team actively encourages public transport - the Backford Church bus stop is roughly 50 metres from the vineyard entrance and is served every 15 minutes by the No. 1 (Chester Railway Station to Liverpool), the X1 (Chester Bus Interchange to Liverpool) and the 22A (Chester Bus Interchange to Ellesmere Port). For cyclists and walkers, a longer scenic route from the centre of Chester runs along the Shropshire Union canal and exits at Backford Bridge (bridge number 133).
The Vineyard Tour and Tasting
The headline experience at Vines of Cheshire is the guided vineyard tour, priced from £27.50 to £40.00 per person depending on date and group size, and lasting approximately two hours from start to finish. The walk itself is 60 to 90 minutes and takes in the vines and the estate's terroir - the soil, slope, altitude and aspect that shape every bottle. Along the way, the hosts explain the grape-growing season and the craftsmanship behind each stage of production, from pruning to bottling. The walk concludes in the cosy on-site Tipi (or outside if the weather permits) with a curated flight of four wines, including the signature still varieties and the celebratory Sparkling White Brut. After the tasting, guests can stay on, purchase a glass or bottle of their favourite, and soak up the surroundings of the private boutique vineyard.
A few practicalities are worth knowing in advance:
- Suitable footwear and a coat are advised - the tour involves walking on uneven, sometimes wet ground.
- Tours go ahead in most weather conditions; only extreme weather triggers a reschedule (with at least 48 hours' notice).
- The minimum age is 18 years.
- Maximum group size is 25 participants.
- Dietary requirements should be flagged at booking.
- Private tours for groups of 20 or more can be arranged directly by emailing vinesofcheshire@gmail.com.
- The cancellation policy requires a minimum of 48 hours' notice for transfer to another date (subject to availability); tickets are non-refundable.
Wedding, Engagement and Anniversary Photography
For couples after a romantic backdrop, the vineyard also offers Wedding Photoshoot sessions at £100.00. The package includes exclusive vineyard access for up to two hours and the use of the grounds for professional photography. Whether marking an engagement, an anniversary or a wedding day, the rolling vines and scenic Cheshire countryside provide an elegant, natural and memorable setting - and one that is exclusive to the booking.
Gift Cards and Hampers
The vineyard's gift cards are available from £10.00 in £10, £20 and £50 denominations, redeemable online or in person at the vineyard, and valid for one year from issue. They can be put towards vineyard tours, wine purchases or any product in the online shop. The vineyard also offers hampers on request by emailing vinesofcheshire@gmail.com.
Drink Local, Shop Direct
Shorter distance from vine to glass means a reduced carbon footprint, says the team, and customers also enjoy wine crafted as part of a vibrant local community. All four wines - Sparkling Brut, Sparkling Brut Rosé, Solaris Dry White and the WineGB Bronze-winning Rosé - can be ordered through the Vines of Cheshire online shop, with UK delivery available alongside vineyard collection.
Frequently asked questions
Does the vineyard tour include a wine tasting?
Yes. Every tour finishes with a tutored flight of four wines in the estate's Tipi, or outside if weather permits.
Are dogs allowed at the vineyard?
Yes - Vines of Cheshire is dog-friendly. Dogs are welcome on tours and in the visitor centre, but should be kept on a short lead at all times, as the neighbours include cattle, sheep and a dog school.
What happens if it rains?
Tours go ahead in most conditions. Visitors are advised to bring suitable footwear and a coat, and the route is adapted to the day. Tours are only cancelled for genuinely extreme weather, with 48 hours' notice and an alternative date offered.
Can wine and vouchers be bought online?
Yes - the entire wine range, gift cards and tour vouchers are available to purchase online.
Do visitors need to book?
Yes - for tours and tastings, advance booking is essential.
Following Vines of Cheshire
Updates from the vineyard - new releases, harvest news and pop-up shop dates - are posted on the estate's Instagram and Facebook pages. Hampers, private tour enquiries and photography bookings are handled by email at vinesofcheshire@gmail.com.