Hendred Vineyard

Hendred Vineyard holds the distinction of being one of England's oldest vineyards, with a history stretching back over fifty years. Located on sloping ground to the west of East Hendred, one of the spring line villages in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, this boutique vineyard continues to produce fine wines for the local community.

Hendred Vineyard: Site and Grape Varieties

The vineyard was originally established by the pioneering McKinnon family and has flourished with expertise from local wine consultant Biagio Grillo. Now covering approximately three acres, the vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, Madeleine Angevine, and Bacchus varieties. Current stewards Eileen and David Bell, along with their family, continue developing the vineyard with assistance from Philippe Desaint, originally from the South of France, who brings dedication and creativity to maintenance and improvement projects.

The wines reflect the excellent terroir driven by nutrient-rich soil and the sunny, breezy aspect provided by the Oxfordshire countryside. The boutique vineyard philosophy of hands-on, attentive farming produces superbly clean and succulent grapes, with the quality speaking for itself in the finished wines.

Hendred Vineyard has earned multiple awards, including 'Best Rosé' at the Thames and Chilterns Vineyards Association competition in both 2019 and 2023, and 'Best Sparkling Wine' in 2020. These accolades demonstrate the consistent quality achieved by this small producer.

Visiting Hendred Vineyard

As a boutique vineyard, Hendred doesn't operate regular tours and tastings, but the vineyard shop opens occasionally on Saturday afternoons during summer for informal tastings and vineyard wanderings - no booking required and no charge. Wines are available for collection by appointment or can be delivered, and are also stocked at local retailers including QGardens, Hendred Stores, Millets Farm, and Oxford Grazing Co & Deli. The charming village setting and the vineyard's rich heritage make every bottle a genuine taste of Oxfordshire.