Melbury Vale Vineyard

Melbury Vale Vineyard occupies a picturesque position just off the A350 at Cann Bridge, approximately 1.5 miles south of Shaftesbury in Dorset. This small, family-owned operation sits on 28 acres of south-facing, rolling hillside in the beautiful Stirkel Valley, an area renowned for its historic milling heritage and natural beauty.

Melbury Vale Vineyard: Site and Grape Varieties

The estate encompasses 0.80 hectares of vines, but its impact extends far beyond its own vineyard. The sustainable winery, built in 2013 adjacent to the Melbury Vale vines, serves as a production hub not only for wines from the home vineyard but also for grapes from associated sister vineyards across Dorset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire. This collaborative approach allows for diverse wine production while maintaining the artisanal quality that defines the operation.

The winery produces an impressive range of beverages including still white, sparkling white, still rosé, and still red wines, alongside liqueur, brandy, and cider. Grape varieties cultivated include Seyval Blanc, Reichensteiner, Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Schönburger, Faber, Wurzer, and Rondo, a diverse portfolio that reflects the winemaker's ambition and the terroir's versatility.

The rural setting and family-run ethos create an authentic English vineyard experience. The south-facing slopes capture maximum sunshine while the rolling hillside provides natural drainage, creating conditions that allow each grape variety to express its character fully. For those exploring the vineyards of southern England, Melbury Vale offers a genuine taste of multi-county winemaking centered in one of Dorset's most scenic valleys.