Ryedale Vineyards

Situated in rolling countryside to the north east of the City of York , we planted seven acres of vines in April 2006 on two separate sites. A further three acres will be planted in 2008 making a total of ten acres under cultivation. One of the vineyards is completely organic while the vines on the conventional site at Farfield Farm will be grown using as little chemical input as possible. Both sites are on warm, south facing slopes, ideal for maximising the amount of sunshine the vines receive.

When they are in production, Ryedale Vineyards are set to become the most northerly commercial vineyards in England. Our two sites have been planted with a range of modern disease-resistant varieties: Phoenix, Regent, Rondo, Solaris, Seyval Blanc, Ortega, and Siegerrebe. Trial batches of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Bacchus have also been planted. We will be producing red, white, rosé and sparkling wines, many of which will be made from organically grown grapes. Please bookmark our site if you would like to keep up with our progress.

Both vineyards are located in areas rich in wildlife. We are taking great care to respect and enhance this legacy and are also working with the RSPB to ensure that bird life is not only protected but supported by our activities. We also respect our environment in terms of our use of resources such as water and electricity. Among the birds we see regularly are endangered species such as tree sparrows and barn owls, while, as we work in the vineyards, hares and skylarks often keep us company.

Please bookmark our site so that you can come back and see how the vines are progressing. If you would like to receive our email updates please let us have your email address via our contacts page.

If you would like to see how we are progressing for yourself, and also to relax and enjoy this wonderful part of England , why not take a look at our guest accommodation at Ryedale Vineyards? Our Bed and Breakfast facilities are provided in the best tradition of Yorkshire hospitality, run in an environmentally friendly way and make use of the best of British produce with, wherever possible, food produced locally.

Ryedale Vineyards – the Story So Far....

April 2006 Marking the field one week before beginning planting		April 2006 Setting up the laser for the planting machine
April 2006 The planting team at work		The canes and vine guards in place at Farfield Farm
April 2006 The organic vineyard with the planting almost completed		May 2006 At the organic site polythene was laid over the vines after planting and the canes and guards put in place
July 2006 – Organic – what a nightmare!		August 2006 Posts and wires were erected at the organic vineyard
Autumn 2007 Trellising was erected at Farfield Farm		November 2007 Two rows of fruit trees were planted at the west side of the vineyard
January 2008 – Snow at Farfield Farm		We should point out that we had help from members of the family
Of all generations!