Westow Vineyard: A Family-Run Yorkshire Sparkling Wine Producer in the Wolds
Nestled in the rolling chalk hills of the Yorkshire Wolds, just outside the picture-perfect village of Kilham in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Westow Vineyard is a small, family-run estate that is quietly proving that cool-climate English sparkling wine can flourish far north of Champagne. Established in 2012 by James and Sally Mason, the eight-acre site benefits from free-draining chalk soils and a coastal climate that softens the extremes of frost, allowing Seyval and Pinot Noir grapes to ripen into the celebrated Erihskroy range of Yorkshire sparkling wines.
The Story Behind Westow Vineyard
The seeds of Westow Vineyard were planted - quite literally - more than a thousand miles south of Yorkshire, during family holidays in South West France. James Mason, a former Harper Adams Agriculture student, and his wife Sally were inspired by the vineyards they visited and began searching for the perfect plot of land to grow vines and make great English sparkling wine. Their search took them to Kilham, a quintessentially Yorkshire Wolds village that lies on the line of a Roman road from York to Bridlington and is locally known as part of the 'Big Skies' country made famous by David Hockney's paintings.
The Masons bought Westow Farm in 2011 and planted their first acre of vines in 2012, choosing two grape varieties suited to the Yorkshire climate: Pinot Noir and Seyval. A further half-acre of Seyval followed in 2015, and the first proper crop was harvested that same year. The estate's flagship wine is named Erihskroy - Yorkshire spelt backwards - inspired by the registered Kennel Club name of the Mason senior family's Irish Wolfhounds.
Three generations of the Mason family are involved in the vineyard. James's father serves as chief photographer and archivist, while James and Sally's children, Lawrence and Amie, help out in the university holidays. Every vine was hand-planted by the family, and the grapes are still harvested in the traditional French manner by the extended Mason family and friends - paid in wine (or, in the children's case, in cash).
The Masons take a quiet pride in disproving the naysayers who once said viticulture on the Yorkshire Wolds would never work, and they are looking forward to many more decades of producing Yorkshire sparkling wine.
The Terroir: Why the Yorkshire Wolds Work for Vines
The Yorkshire Wolds may sound an unlikely home for an English vineyard, but the combination of free-draining fertile chalk soils and proximity to the North Sea coast creates an environment that protects the vines from the harshest frosts and gives the grapes the kind of brisk acidity that is prized in classic-method sparkling wine. Sitting roughly five miles north-east of Driffield (the so-called 'Capital of the Wolds'), Westow is one of the northernmost commercial vineyards in England.
The Masons describe themselves as being based in the heart of 'Hockney country', and they note that the Romans probably beat them to producing wine in the area by some 17 centuries. To the south of Kilham there is even evidence of a 4th-century Romano-British settlement at Rudston.
The Erihskroy Range of Yorkshire Sparkling Wines
Size is Westow's attribute: the vineyard currently extends to around 1.5 acres of productive vines, which means every vine can be given individual care and attention by hand. All of the wines are made for Westow by the award-winning team at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate in Staffordshire, with whom the Masons have worked since 2012.
Erihskroy Sparkling White 2022
The flagship Erihskroy Sparkling White 2022 is a bright, delicate English sparkling white made predominantly from the Seyval grape. At 12% ABV, with no oak ageing, sealed under a champagne cork and drinking well up to 2029, it shows notes of lemon zest and gooseberry rounded off with the warmth of brioche. It is best served chilled, either on its own as an aperitif or alongside a light salad with grilled chicken or fish.
Available direct from the cellar door in a range of formats:
- 1 bottle (75cl) - £30.00
- 2 bottles - £60.00
- 3 bottles - £90.00
- 6 bottles - £180.00
- 12 bottles - £360.00
For collectors and gift-buyers, a limited-edition 2015 Erihskroy Sparkling White in a wooden presentation box is also available for £50.00 per bottle.
Erihskroy Sparkling Blush 2022
The Erihskroy Sparkling Blush 2022 is a smooth, refreshing pink sparkling wine made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Seyval, also at 12% ABV and drinking well up to 2029. On the palate it is crisp and dry with hints of strawberry and blackcurrant - the perfect aperitif and a fine match for salads, cheese or a summer fruit pudding.
Format prices:
- 1 bottle (75cl) - £30.00
- 2 bottles - £60.00
- 3 bottles - £90.00
- 6 bottles - £180.00
- 12 bottles - £360.00
Erihskroy Mixed Cases
For those who want to enjoy the best of both, Westow offers mixed cases:
- 1 White + 1 Blush (2 bottles, 75cl, 12% Vol) - £60.00
- 3 White + 3 Blush (6 bottles, 75cl, 12% Vol) - £180.00
Halfpenny Green English Rose 2023
Joining the Westow shop more recently, the Halfpenny Green English Rose 2023 is an off-dry still rosé blend of Solaris, Madeleine Angevine, Rondo and Pinot Noir, bottled at 11% ABV. Gentle floral aromas lead into ripe peaches, raspberries and a touch of vanilla ice-cream on the palate. It is suggested as an ideal partner for antipasti, light Mediterranean cuisine, pan-seared fish, vegetable bakes and stews. Priced at £14.50 per 75cl bottle.
Gift Wrapping
For postal orders, a Westow Vineyard gift wrap (white spotted cellophane, silk ribbon and a gift tag for a personal message) can be added for £4.50.
Adopt-a-Vine Experience
One of the most distinctive ways to engage with the vineyard is the Adopt-a-Vine scheme, which is billed as the perfect gift for wine lovers. Adoption includes a bottle of the current vintage sparkling wine, making it an unusual and very Yorkshire Christmas, birthday or anniversary present.
Gifts, Hampers and Accessories
In addition to the wines, Westow Vineyard curates a thoughtful range of gifts and homewares designed to complement its sparkling wines. Their baskets, hampers, candle lanterns and wreaths are made by skilled craftsmen from sustainable, natural materials, while the artisan chocolates are sourced from family businesses in nearby Filey.
Baskets and Carriers
- Antique Wash Fishing Creel - full antique wash willow with grey faux leather and a 1m grey canvas shoulder strap. £35.00
- Fishing Creel - full double-steamed willow with a dark brown real leather adjustable shoulder strap. £25.00
- Garden Tool Basket Large - antique wash willow garden basket. £55.00
- Garden Tool Basket Small - antique wash willow with cream elasticated strapping, including a fork, trowel, wooden markers, string and measuring dibber. £45.00
- Green Tweed Cooler Basket - stylish and robust picnic and barbecue basket with chiller lining. £40.00
- 2 Bottle Chilled Carry Basket - antique wash willow with insulated cooler lining and adjustable canvas shoulder strap. £40.00
- Single Bottle Holder & 2 Cartridge Glasses Carrier with Shoulder Strap - antique wash willow with chiller lining and two cartridge glasses. £40.00
- Single Bottle & 2 Champagne Glasses Carrier with Shoulder Strap - antique wash willow with faux-leather handle, hinged lid and chiller lining, including two champagne glasses. £40.00
- Special Event Basket including 6 x Champagne Glasses - the ultimate picnic or party basket. £65.00
Wreaths and Lanterns
- Large Heart Shaped Willow Wreath - full antique wash finish willow with chipwood core. £25.00
- Medium Heart Shaped Wreath - full antique wash finish willow with chipwood core. £20.00
- Large Grey Wash Willow Candle Lantern - split grey wash willow with rope handle and removable glass jar. £40.00
- Small Grey Wash Willow Candle Lantern - split grey wash willow with rope handle and removable glass jar. £30.00
Chocolates and Sweet Treats
Westow Vineyard partners with two Yorkshire-coast producers to provide artisan chocolates and sweets alongside its wines:
- Sterchi's - an established family-run chocolatier based in Filey, around 20 miles from the vineyard. Sterchi's handmade chocolates are available in two sizes (150g and 300g).
- The Sweet Snob Simply Scrumptious Chocolates and Sweets - including Tipsy Teds Champagne Flavour Chewy Sweets 91g (£6.99), Double Trouble Truffles Salted Butter Caramel 200g (£9.99), Trufflino's Pistachio Truffles 200g (£11.99) and Junglees Exotic Truffles 158g (£17.99).
Alex Clark Greetings Cards
A wide selection of Alex Clark illustrated greetings cards is available at £2.50 each, covering birthdays (candles, gardening, unicorn, bee, border terrier, pheasant), celebrations (congratulations, engagement, new baby, new home, wedding day, anniversary, retirement), get-well, good luck and thank-you designs.
Mother's Day and Christmas Gifting
Westow offers several pre-curated Yorkshire gifting combinations:
- Gift-wrapped Erihskroy Sparkling White or Blush Wine - £28.50
- Erihskroy Sparkling Blush Wine with a small heart-shaped wreath - £35.00
- Gift-wrapped Erihskroy Sparkling Blush Wine with a large box of Sterchi's chocolates - £48.50
- Small garden tool basket and a small box of Sterchi's chocolates - £46.00
For Christmas, the team reminds customers to place sparkling wine orders before 15 December for delivery. Free handwritten personal greetings can be added to any order, and Alex Clark cards can be included in postal orders.
Where to Buy Westow Vineyard Wines
Wines can be bought direct from the cellar door via the Westow online shop, with UK-wide delivery by DHL and click-and-collect from Westow Farm for local customers. The wines are also stocked at a long list of independent farm shops, delis and garden centres across Yorkshire:
- Farm Shop at Cranswick - Cranswick
- Sledmere Farm Shop - Sledmere
- The Hunmanby Pantry - Hunmanby
- McMillans of Malton - Malton
- Fodder - Harrogate
- Flower Merchant - Market Weighton
- Church Fenton Community Shop - Church Fenton
- Yorkshire's Finest Hampers - Skewsby
- Lisa's Florist - Selby
- The Balloon Tree Farm Shop - Gate Helmsley
- The Patisserie - Malton
- Langlands Garden Centre Farm Shop - Shiptonthorpe
- Vanessa Delicatessen and Café - Beverley
- Baron Hartley Wines - Hornsea
- Stella's Larder - Driffield
- Wilson's Food Hall - Seamer
- No6 The Pavement - Pocklington
- Roberts & Speight - Beverley
- Cedarbarn Farm Shop - Pickering
- Bishop Wilton Community Shop and Café
Where to Drink Westow Vineyard Wines
Erihskroy is on the list at a growing number of Yorkshire restaurants:
- The Old Star - Kilham
- Arras Restaurant - York
- The Plough - Wombleton
- Westwood Restaurant - Beverley
- Baron Hartley Wines - Hornsea
- Wilson's Food Hall - Seamer
- Embers Restaurant - Scarborough
- The Owl - Hawnby
Customer Praise
Two testimonials capture the response so far:
"Your Yorkshire sparkling wine is excellent. We had a blind taste off last year against some French and Italian Champagnes and it won!" - C.M, Kent
"We used Erihskroy as the main fizz at my daughter's wedding in July and we really loved it!" - SR, North Yorkshire
Visiting, Stockist Enquiries and Contact
Westow Vineyard is based at Westow Farm, Kilham, Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO25 4SP.
- Call Sally on 07738 465463 (or James on 07984 034900)
- Email sally@westowvineyard.co.uk (or james@westowvineyard.co.uk for data/privacy matters)
- Follow the winery on Facebook
A decade-and-a-bit in, and with three generations of Masons involved, Westow Vineyard is a charming example of how a small, hand-tended English vineyard can produce award-winning Yorkshire sparkling wine that holds its own against the best from further south.