Vines were planted on Fairmile Vineyard’s plot on Henley-on-Thames, with the first harvest in 2015. Fairmile wines are regular winner of UK and international awards.

Chilterns Terroir

Fairmile Vineyard Henley-on-Thames is proud to continue a long heritage of English winemaking. In 2011, local couple Jan and Anthea Mirkowski recognised that the foothills of the Chilterns on the outskirts of Henley would provide the ideal terrain and microclimate for viticulture. The steep south-facing slope helps vines capture the most sunlight – in fact 30% more sunlight during October, when the grapes are in berry, and the sun low on the horizon, than if the vines were planted on level ground.

The slope also causes Spring frosts (being denser than warm air) to fall downhill away from the delicate buds, whilst sufficient air movements along the valley carry away excess humidity, reducing the chance of fungal attack by mildew. Vines prefer well-drained soil, and Fairmile Vineyard lies on the same flinty chalky marl that stretches across South-East England to the white cliffs of Dover, then under the Channel into Northern France.

The Logo Reflects the Locality

This family-owned business is committed to promoting the Chilterns’ quality of life, tourism, and the local community. Their logo depicts a rowing oar, which Henley’s Royal Regatta has made famous, crossed with an opened bottle of sparkling wine.