Wythall Estate Vineyard: An Award-Winning Family Vineyard in Herefordshire
Wythall Estate: A Family-Run English Vineyard in the Herefordshire Wye Valley
Tucked into the gentle slopes of the Wye Valley, just outside Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, Wythall Estate is one of England's quietly distinguished boutique vineyards. It is also a working family farm whose half-timbered Manor House has been home to the McIntyre family since it was built in 1520. Five centuries of stewardship meet two decades of careful viticulture here, with a single-vineyard, low-intervention philosophy that has produced a string of award-winning English wines since the first commercial release in 2014.
From a hand-harvested Pinot Noir Reserve and a deep-coloured Estate Red, to a delicate Siegerrebe still white, a salmon-pink Vintage Rosé and a traditional-method Rosé Cuvée sparkling, every bottle that leaves the cellar door is made exclusively from grapes grown on the Wythall slopes. Visitors are welcomed for vineyard tours, tutored tastings, Sunday afternoons in the lakeside Wine Garden, occasional Dine in the Vines chef's-table evenings, and self-catering stays in the Manor House's west wing.
A Manor House Since 1520, A Vineyard Since 2014
The story of Wythall Estate is, at heart, a story about a family and a place. The Manor House at Wythall was built in 1520 and has been the McIntyre family home ever since. Generations have cared for the surrounding land - woodland, a fresh-water lake, lawns and, more recently, the vineyard - and the family still live and work on the estate today. Frank, Jamie, Angus and the rest of the small team are the faces visitors meet on tours, tastings and special events, and the personal hospitality is one of the most remarked-upon features of any visit.
The vineyard itself was planted in the early 2010s and the first vintage was released in 2014. From that debut onwards, the still and sparkling wines have been extremely well received by customers, wine judges and expert enthusiasts alike. The estate's single-vineyard approach - 100% of the grapes come from the Wythall vineyards - combined with a low-intervention winemaking philosophy, allows the local terroir to speak clearly in every bottle. As the family puts it, the rich Herefordshire soil and the estate's own sheltered micro-climate allow them to grow grapes of the finest quality, producing "superb, complex English wines that demonstrate the character and qualities of the local terroir".
That sense of place is the through-line of everything produced at Wythall. The team is candid about the variability of English vintages - 2024, for example, was a challenging, low-yielding year - but explains that smaller volumes mean greater concentration, and the resulting wines reflect the benefit. Wythall also featured in a Financial Times Weekend feature in December 2025 about 'Hamnet country' in Herefordshire, a sign that the broader beauty of the Wye Valley, as well as the wines themselves, is drawing national attention.
Terroir and Viticulture in the Wye Valley
Herefordshire is widely regarded as one of the finest agricultural growing areas in England, and the Wye Valley corridor is particularly well suited to vine-growing. The Wythall vineyard sits on sloping, free-draining ground with its own sheltered micro-climate - a combination that gives the team reliable ripeness even in cooler English summers.
Four grape varieties form the backbone of the estate's wines:
- Early Pinot Noir - used for the red wines and as a small addition to the sparkling rosé.
- Siegerrebe - a perfumed German variety, also known as 'victory vine', capable of reaching high natural sugar levels and producing an aromatic still white.
- Rondo - a hardy, deeply coloured red variety that forms the backbone of the Estate Red.
- Orion - a versatile variety used principally in the sparkling Rosé Cuvée blend.
All grapes are hand harvested, and the family emphasise the importance of matching work in the vineyard to the realities of the British climate. Pruning, canopy management and harvest timing are all adjusted to coax the very best from these Wye Valley slopes.
The Wines
Wythall Estate produces a focused, single-vineyard range of five wines. Each is released only in the volumes dictated by the vintage, and several have been recognised by Wine GB, Wine GB West and the Independent English Wine Awards. A downloadable Wine Menu is available for visitors to the Wine Garden.
Pinot Noir Reserve 2023 - RRP £38.00
Made only in the very best years, the 2023 is the fourth vintage of Wythall's single-variety Early Pinot Noir. The hand-harvested fruit from the estate's record-breaking 2023 crop saw twelve months of French oak ageing, followed by further bottle ageing before release. The result is a delicate, ruby-red wine with soft, creamy notes of black cherry and raspberry on the nose, earthy tones and a savoury, mineral edge. The palate shows great structure, a hint of vanilla, smoky undertones and a chalky grip, finishing dry and serious. Wine GB Awards 2025 - Silver medal (94/100).
Estate Red 2023 - RRP £28.00
The 2023 Estate Red is made entirely from Rondo grapes grown on the estate, blended with a small percentage of barrel-aged 2022 Rondo juice to soften the natural tannins and add complexity. It pours a stunning deep purple, with bold aromas of red cherry and cranberry followed by a soft, vibrant palate offering a hint of spice, juicy blackcurrant and stone fruit. Light tannins and a long, juicy finish make it a natural partner for charcuterie or red meats, particularly lamb. Wine GB West Awards 2024 - Best Red trophy.
Siegerrebe 2023 - RRP £27.00
The seventh vintage of this gorgeous variety, the 2023 Siegerrebe is pale in colour with a lively nose of pear, orange blossom and passionfruit. The vibrant palate shows saline complexity with flavours of grapefruit, white currant and elderflower, finishing with clarity and subtle power. It is delightfully easy drinking and pairs beautifully with light curry dishes, chicken and warm summer days. The grape, pronounced zee-ger-riba, was once thought to be related to Gewürztraminer but is now considered a freely pollinated seedling of Madeleine Angevine. Its ability to reach high natural sugar levels makes it ideally suited to the Wythall microclimate. Wine GB Awards 2025 - Silver medal (92/100).
Vintage Rosé 2024 - RRP £28.00
A blend of Siegerrebe, Pinot Noir, Orion and Rondo, the 2024 Vintage Rosé is the only wine to come from that challenging vintage, with just 841 bottles produced. The later-than-average harvest meant the grapes were picked at excellent concentration levels - perfect for still wine. The result is a lovely salmon-pink hue with a clean, inviting nose of rose petal and red berry notes. The palate is playful and fruit-driven with sweet vanilla, watermelon and a hint of Turkish delight, finishing clean, fruity and dry. IEWA 2025 - Silver medal.
Rosé Cuvée 2022 - RRP £55
Wythall's vintage sparkling rosé is made from 95% Orion and 5% Early Pinot Noir, handpicked in mid-October 2022 after a long hot summer. The juice follows the traditional method, with twelve months in stainless steel tank followed by a further eighteen months of lees ageing in bottle before disgorgement in April 2025. The result is energetic and vibrant, with small persistent bubbles giving a joyous mouthfeel that coats the palate. A nose of strawberries and cream gives way to an expansive palate of mango, orange peel, rose water and raspberry crumble. Only 661 bottles were produced.
All five wines can be ordered directly from the estate by emailing info@wythallestate.co.uk. Free local delivery is available within fifteen miles of the estate for orders of six bottles or more.
Recent Awards and Accolades
Wythall Estate's wines have been quietly accumulating recognition across the English wine scene. The most recent honours include:
- Wine GB Awards 2025 - two silver medals, for the Pinot Noir Reserve 2023 (94/100) and the Siegerrebe 2023 (92/100). See the full Wine GB Awards 2025 winners catalogue.
- Wine GB West Awards 2024 - Best Red trophy for the 2023 Estate Red.
- The Independent English Wine Awards (#IEWA25) - silver medal for the 2024 Vintage Rosé.
Vineyard Tours & Wine Tasting
For visitors who want to get to the heart of the estate, the Vineyard Tours and Wine Tasting experience is the most complete introduction to Wythall. Tours and tastings run from April to December on selected Saturdays, with just sixteen places available on each tour so that the team can offer genuine personal attention. Pre-booking is required.
The tour starts at 12 noon when guests meet Frank, who talks through the grape varieties grown at Wythall, why they were chosen, the pruning methods used, and how the vines are cared for from planting to harvest. He also explains the suitability of the English climate and how the team produces their award-winning wines. The vineyard ground is sloping and uneven in places, so good walking shoes are recommended - and unfortunately the vineyard itself is not accessible to wheelchair users.
After the tour, Jamie welcomes the group into the historic Manor House dining room for a tutored tasting of a trio of Wythall Estate wines, with an opportunity to purchase wine afterwards.
2026 Selected Saturday Dates
- 27 June
- 11 & 25 July
- 8 & 22 August
- 5 & 19 September
- 3 & 17 October
- 7 & 21 November
- 5 December
Price
Vineyard tour and wine tasting - £25.00 per person. Private group tours can be arranged by appointment; group organisers should email tours@wythallestate.co.uk to discuss available dates.
Wine Garden Sundays
On selected Sunday afternoons during the summer, Wythall opens its private garden to visitors for the Wine Garden Sundays experience. Open from 12 noon to 6pm, the lakeside garden offers a relaxed setting in which to enjoy Wythall English wines by the glass or bottle, alongside a menu of locally produced charcuterie and cheese platters, plus nuts, breads, olives, cornichons and local crisps from Two Farmers.
The Cellar Door is also open during the Wine Garden for visitors who want to purchase single bottles or mixed cases to take home. Platters and wine can be paired using the dedicated Platter Menu and Wine Menu PDFs.
Wine Garden 2026 Season - Selected Sundays
- 19 & 26 July
- 9, 23 & 30 August
- 6 & 20 September
Reservations are recommended and can be made by emailing info@wythallestate.co.uk or by calling 01989 566868 on the day to check availability.
Dine in the Vines
For something altogether more special, Wythall Estate hosts a small number of Dine in the Vines evenings each year. Just twenty guests are seated at the Estate Table in the heart of the vineyard for a relaxed, unhurried evening of premium wine, exceptional food and the quiet beauty of the Herefordshire countryside.
The evening begins with a talk about the estate's 500-year history, followed by a guided walk through the vines, before guests gather on the front lawn for canapés and fizz. Selected acclaimed guest chefs then present a local, seasonal tasting menu, with each course thoughtfully paired with Wythall Estate wines. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and unhurried - the food unassumingly refined, the wines premium, and the setting blissfully unmatched.
2026 Dates
- Friday 31 July 2026
- Friday 18 September 2026
Price
£160 per person. To enquire or book, contact Angus McIntyre at marketing@wythallestate.co.uk. Full details of what is included are set out in the Dine in the Vines information sheet.
Self-Catering Accommodation at the Manor House
Wythall is a half-timbered Manor House hidden away in a beautiful, secluded rural setting, not far from Ross-on-Wye. There is a large lawned garden, a fresh-water lake, woodland and - of course - the vineyard. In the west wing of the Manor House there are two individual, self-contained cottage-style accommodation areas, each with its own private entrance. Both are well equipped, comfortably furnished, centrally heated, with ample parking, Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. Bed linen and towels are provided, and a cot and highchair can be made available for little ones. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, with a polite request to keep them on a lead when sheep are in the surrounding fields.
Vineyard tours can be arranged for guests from February to December, and wine tastings throughout the year. For pricing, availability and bookings, the two self-catering cottages are on Airbnb.
The Game Larders - Sleeps 2
Annexed to the main Manor House and warmly hosted by Jamie, The Game Larders is an idyllic self-catering retreat for two. The double bedroom, sitting room and kitchen are all well equipped and very comfortably furnished, with everything needed for a romantic weekend or a longer countryside break. Recent Airbnb guests have described it as "a beautiful, secluded and idyllic setting with garden, fresh-water lake, wooded grounds and vineyards" and praised Jamie's personal hosting and the on-site vineyard tour and tasting.
The Old Bakehouse - Sleeps 4
Next door to The Game Larders, also in the west wing of the Manor House, The Old Bakehouse offers cosy accommodation for four guests, with one double bedroom and one twin. It is comfortably furnished and well equipped, with central heating throughout and the same access to the wider estate grounds. Recent Airbnb reviews describe it as "utterly superb in every way" and "a stunning, historic property even better than the pictures".
Where to Find Wythall Estate Wines
Beyond the cellar door, Wythall Estate wines are poured carefully at a small, hand-picked list of restaurants, pubs and farm shops across England and Wales.
Restaurants
- Appalachia - London
- Aulis London
- Annwn Restaurant - Pembrokeshire
- Glewstone Court - Herefordshire
- Simply Wild, Coleford - Gloucestershire
Pubs
- Riverside Inn, Ross-on-Wye
- The Bell at Skenfrith - Monmouthshire
- The Hostelrie at Goodrich - Herefordshire
- The Loughpool Inn - Herefordshire
- The New Inn - Herefordshire
Shops
Buying Direct and Local Delivery
Wythall Estate also sells direct to customers. A free local delivery service is available within fifteen miles of the estate for orders of six bottles or more, with payment taken by bank transfer. Simply call 01989 566868 to arrange an order, and the team will deliver wine safely and securely to your door.
To stay in touch with new releases, vintage updates and invitations to special events, sign up to the Wythall Estate newsletter.
Planning Your Visit
Wythall Estate is at Walford, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5SD. The vineyard is accessible by road from the A40 and is well placed for exploring the wider Wye Valley, the Forest of Dean and the black-and-white villages of Herefordshire. Pets are welcome in the self-catering cottages, and the family are happy to discuss accessibility queries directly.
Contact Details
- Address: Wythall Estate, Walford, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5SD
- Telephone: 01989 566868
- General & wine orders (Jamie McIntyre): info@wythallestate.co.uk
- Tours & tastings: tours@wythallestate.co.uk
- Press & marketing (Angus McIntyre): marketing@wythallestate.co.uk
Follow Wythall Estate
With a five-hundred-year family story, a deep connection to the land, and a run of silver medals and trophies from Wine GB, Wine GB West and the Independent English Wine Awards, Wythall Estate is a compelling addition to any itinerary through England's quietly fast-rising Wye Valley wine country.