Yearlstone Vineyard - Devon's Oldest Vineyard

Welcome to Devon's Oldest Vineyard!

Willkommen aus Deutschland

Hier ist Yearlstone - vielleicht sie haben uns in "Vinum" gefolgt Hier finden sie "Yearlstone Number 2" wein - von der Rebe "Siegerrebe" gemachen.

Und also unser Rotweiler "Timmy"! (ich glaube das er ist nicht ein Rottie.. aber ein bisschen Collie-Alsatian)

Latitude 50 Degrees 42 Minutes - the Exe Valley lies on an almost identical latitude with the Moselle Valley yet enjoys milder springs, and milder autumns. Steep and thickly wooded to the north as the River Exe runs off Exmoor, by the time it reaches Bickleigh the Valley opens out into a broad river plain.

Here, on steep slopes as the River turns due south in its run to the regional capital, Exeter, is our vineyard, at around 200 feet above sea level. Red Devon sandstone breaks up into shale, the hills on three sides create a natural amphitheatre where light levels are high.

In summer, early morning mists rise up from the riverbed creating a subtropical effect but burn off by midday. Even in peak summer this part of mid-Devon is sleepy and quiet, apart from the sounds of various birds of prey and corks popping in the café-winebar.

A perfect stopping off point on a long journey turning off the motorway, Bickleigh itself is a noted beauty spot with thatched pubs on the riverfront, although the best food and wine is on offer at the vineyard!

May 2012: The Seventh Devon Wine Week - June 2nd-10th

As part of this year's Devon Wine Week, Yearlstone vineyard and the Deli Shack Café are hosting the following events and specials:

Special Wine Week lunch in Deli Shack Cafe - a Deli Shack Platter and a glass of Yearlstone Vintage Brut for £10 per person.
Saturday June 2: 11 am: "How to Set up Your Own Devon Vineyard." Talk by Yearlstone owner Roger White with practical advice on varieties, site and costings. Duration 1 and a half hours. Price £15 pp. Book on 01884 855700
Saturday June 9: Evening: Music and Mezes.
One of Yearlstone's popular musical evenings on the vineyard terrace with David Cottam - the well-known classical guitarist. Enjoy supper and a glass of our fizz. Tickets are £25 per person and are limited.. Book on 01884 855700.

Café under new management - welcome the Deli Shack Café

We are delighted to announce that Iain and Lisa from the Deli Shack (Deli of the Month - Fine Food Magazine)... are taking over the café this year. They have some exciting new menus and ideas - local cheeses, hams, a Devon roasted coffee, and lots besides - watch this space for more details very shortly.

We'd like to thank Charlotte and her helpers for all their work running the cafe in recent years.

Yearlstone Now Open Wed-Sun 11am-4pm

Yearlstone Vineyard and the Deli Shack Cafe are now open again, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 4pm each day.

Yearlstone Wine Courses 2010

We're happy to report that one of the graduates of our first wine course - " How to Make a Living from an English Vineyard" is doing just that - close to Ottery St Mary. Another new entrant advised by us has planted 9000 vines in the same area. The 2010 Wine Course was attended by several potential new recruits, including a former City high flier.

Getting to the Vineyard

Find us on the A396 between Tiverton and Bickleigh - look out for the brown tourist signs.

Leave the M5 at Junction 27 - into Tiverton. Then follow the signs for the A396 Bickleigh/Exeter - or the brown signs for the Devonshire Centre (now defunct but useful as a guide!).

Yearlstone Webmovies

Our friend Markus Kinch of Film 41 has published several Yearlstone web movies on YouTube:

Click here for large-screen versions of all the Web Movies including Yearlstone features on TV - visits from Oz Clarke, BBC Countryfile and BBC1's "The Great British Summer".

Roger On Twitter

Roger has just started tweeting, here we are: