Nestled in the picturesque Chiltern Hills, Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery offers a delightful escape for wine and beer lovers. This charming establishment has been crafting fine wines, ales, and liqueurs since 1982. Visitors can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking and brewing processes during guided tours of the facilities.
The winery’s location in an area of outstanding natural beauty adds to its appeal. Surrounded by beech woodlands and rolling hills, Chiltern Valley provides a stunning backdrop for wine tasting and brewery tours. Guests can sample a wide range of locally produced drinks, from crisp white wines to rich, full-bodied ales.
For those keen to learn more about the art of winemaking and brewing, Chiltern Valley offers two-hour tours that cover every step of the production process. These fun and informative sessions end with a tutored tasting, giving visitors a chance to savour the fruits of the winery’s labour. It’s a perfect day out for anyone looking to explore the best of British wine and beer.
Discovering Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery
Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery is a gem nestled in the heart of Oxfordshire. It offers visitors a chance to taste award-winning wines, ales, and liqueurs while enjoying the beautiful countryside.
The History of Chiltern Valley
Chiltern Valley’s story began in 1982 when the first vines were planted on the slopes of the Chiltern Hills. The founders chose this spot for its outstanding natural beauty and ideal growing conditions.
Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the winery is surrounded by lush beech woodlands. This picturesque setting provides the perfect backdrop for wine production.
Over the years, Chiltern Valley expanded its offerings. They added a brewery and started making liqueurs. This growth turned the site into a diverse drinks producer.
Chiltern Valley Today
Today, Chiltern Valley is a popular spot for wine lovers and curious visitors alike. The winery offers behind-the-scenes tours that last about two hours.
Guests can see how wines, ales, and liqueurs are made. The tour ends with a tutored tasting session. Visitors get to sample a wide range of drinks made on-site.
For those wanting to stay longer, there’s a cosy bed and breakfast. It’s a great base for exploring the Chiltern countryside.
Chiltern Valley takes pride in using modern methods for making and bottling their drinks. They’ve won awards for their products, showing their commitment to quality.
The winery is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s best to book tours in advance as they can fill up quickly.
Collections
Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery offers a diverse range of handcrafted beverages. Their selection includes fine wines, refreshing ales, and unique liqueurs.
Wines Selection
The winery produces a variety of wines from grapes grown on their own vineyard. They make white, red, and rosé wines suited to different tastes.
Their white wines include crisp Chardonnays and fruity Bacchus. For red wine lovers, they offer smooth Pinot Noirs and rich Cabernet Sauvignons.
The rosé wines are perfect for summer sipping. Each bottle captures the essence of the Chiltern Hills terroir.
Visitors can sample these wines during tours and tastings. The winery also sells bottles in their shop for guests to enjoy at home.
Brewery Offerings
The brewery at Chiltern Valley crafts a range of traditional English ales. They use local ingredients and time-honoured brewing methods.
Their beer selection includes light golden ales, amber bitters, and dark stouts. Seasonal brews add variety throughout the year.
Popular choices are the Old Luxters Bitter and the Chiltern Valley IPA. The brewery also makes special edition beers for holidays and events.
Guests can try these ales during brewery tours. The on-site shop sells bottles and gift packs for beer enthusiasts.
Exclusive Liqueurs
Chiltern Valley produces a line of artisanal liqueurs. These sweet and flavourful drinks are perfect for after-dinner sipping or cocktail mixing.
Their liqueur range includes fruit-based options like Cherry Brandy and Damson Gin. They also make cream liqueurs such as English Cream and Chocolate Cream.
A standout is their Honey Liqueur, made with local honey. Each liqueur is crafted in small batches to ensure quality.
Visitors can taste these unique drinks during guided tours. The winery shop offers bottles for purchase, making great gifts or souvenirs.
Visiting Old Luxters Vineyard
Old Luxters Vineyard offers a charming experience in the Chiltern Hills. Visitors can enjoy tours, tastings, and beautiful surroundings near Henley-on-Thames.
Planning Your Visit
Tours at Old Luxters Vineyard are a must-do. They last about 2 hours and include the winery, brewery, and liqueur facilities. Guests can taste wines, beers, and spirits during the tour.
It’s best to book ahead. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Shaun and Christina are guides who get great reviews from visitors.
For a full experience, stay at the on-site B&B. Rooms are nice, and the breakfast gets good marks from guests.
Getting to RG9 6JW
Old Luxters Vineyard is in Hambleden, near Henley-on-Thames. The postcode is RG9 6JW.
Driving is easy, with the vineyard set in lovely countryside. For those not driving, a taxi from Henley-on-Thames is a good option.
The vineyard is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It’s surrounded by beech woods and has views of the Hambleden Valley.
Public transport is limited, so plan ahead if not driving. The staff can likely help with travel advice when booking.
Tasting Experiences
Visitors to Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery can enjoy fun and educational tasting sessions. These experiences offer a chance to sample the winery’s best wines, ales, and liqueurs.
What to Expect
The tasting experience lasts about 2 hours. Guests get a behind-the-scenes look at how the drinks are made. They visit the winery, brewery, and liqueur production areas.
A guide explains the process from start to finish. Visitors see how grapes are pressed and beer is brewed. They also learn about bottling and labelling.
The highlight is the tutored tasting. Guests try 3-4 wines, ales, and liqueurs. An expert shares tips on how to taste and what flavours to look for.
Upcoming Tastings
Chiltern Valley offers special tastings throughout the year. In January 2025, they’re hosting a winter warmer event. It features rich red wines and hearty ales.
February 2025 brings a Valentine’s Day tasting. Couples can enjoy romantic wine and chocolate pairings.
March 2025 sees the start of spring with a tasting of crisp white wines and light beers. Perfect for the warmer weather ahead!
Booking in advance is needed for all tastings. Guests get a 10% discount on any drinks they buy on the day.
Planning and Booking
Visitors can easily plan a trip to Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery. The winery offers tours and tastings that last about two hours. These give guests a behind-the-scenes look at how wines, beers, and liqueurs are made.
Booking is simple. Guests can reserve spots online or by phone. It’s best to book in advance, especially for weekends or large groups. The winery can host private tours for 10 or more people.
Tours include:
- Winery visit
- Brewery exploration
- Look at liqueur production
- Grape pressing and bottling areas
After the tour, guests enjoy a guided tasting. They sample 3-4 wines, ales, and liqueurs. A knowledgeable tour guide leads the experience and answers questions.
Visitors get a 10% discount on purchases made on the day of their tour. This is a nice perk for those wanting to take home some favourite drinks.
For the best experience, wear comfy shoes and dress for the weather. Parts of the tour may be outside. Bringing a camera is a good idea to capture memories of the lovely Chiltern Hills setting.
How to Get There
Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery is easy to reach by car or taxi. It’s located about halfway between Henley and Marlow on the A4155 road.
If driving, take the Hambleden turning at Mill End. Look for the brown sign that says “Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery”. The winery is 2.5 miles down this valley road.
For those who prefer not to drive, Million Cars Taxi Service offers a comfortable and convenient option. Their friendly drivers know the area well and can drop visitors right at the winery entrance.
Public transport is limited in this rural area. The closest train stations are in Henley-on-Thames and Marlow. From there, a taxi ride is the best way to reach the winery.
Cycling is another choice for the more active visitor. The Chiltern Hills offer lovely views, but be ready for some hills along the way.
Whichever way you choose to travel, the beautiful countryside makes the journey part of the experience.
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