Whinyard Rocks started out as the next generation planting vines on the family farm in the Welsh borders and caring for them in a low-intervention way.

Susan and James planted their first half acre in 2017 whilst living and working in London - James as a scientist and Susan at a sustainable food and drink retailer. They later escaped the city to return to Mid-Wales and a small but fruitful harvest in 2020 paved the way for more vines being planted in 2021 and 2022.

Wines produced at Whinyard Rocks

An exciting range of wines will be released from this small scale vineyard starting in the summer of 2022 with a skin contact Pet-Nat.

Whinyard Rocks’ approach in the vineyard is led by nature. Their grapes include hybrid varieties which have a high tolerance to disease and suitability for cool climates. These factors combined with physical work on the vines and soil enable them to avoid using synthetic fungicides. Only natural products such as organic seaweed spray and compost are used as fertilisers.

There is also little intervention in the winery. All wines are fermented on wild indigineous yeasts to allow for a truer expression of the Welsh hillside they’re grown on.

Vineyard Stays

Near to the vineyard sits a blissfully secluded cottage that is ready to welcome guests who like walking, cycling and exploring the local villages.

You’ll find Highbrook Cottage at the end of a private track between a babbling brook and the vineyard. It’s totally hidden away and your only neighbours are sheep and singing birds. The eclectic interior of restful tones and local finds is inspired by the rolling hills of farmland that surround the cottage.

All that’s left to do is sink your teeth into a homemade welsh cake and enjoy the view – don’t forget your wellies.