Wayford Westcountry Wines Ltd

Wayford Westcountry Wines represents a unique model in English winemaking – a co-operative vineyard where passionate members share the labour of love required to produce exceptional sparkling wine. Planted with Pinot Noir vines in 2007, this Somerset vineyard operates on a participatory model where each member maintains their own allocation of vines while also contributing specialist skills to the collective enterprise.

Wayford Westcountry Wines: Site and Grape Varieties

Situated in South Somerset overlooking the stunning Axe Valley and the rolling Dorset hills beyond, Wayford benefits from the gentle climate of England's West Country. The south-facing slopes capture maximum sunlight, while the elevated position provides excellent drainage and air circulation – ideal conditions for ripening Pinot Noir grapes to perfection.

The vineyard has developed a distinctive specialisation: producing white sparkling wine solely from Pinot Noir grapes, a style known as Blanc de Noirs. This challenging technique requires careful pressing to extract the juice while leaving behind the colour from the grape skins, resulting in a wine of remarkable elegance and complexity.

Wayford's Brut Pinot Noir has earned a loyal following among those who appreciate its distinctive character. The wine pairs beautifully with oysters, cheese platters featuring Gouda, and crispy dishes, though it truly shines as a celebration wine for special occasions.

The co-operative model ensures that Wayford wines carry a genuine connection to the people who tend the vines – each bottle represents not just the Somerset terroir but the shared passion and commitment of its member-growers.