My sister is currently at university in Leeds so sadly it’s not often that we get to spend time together. However, I’m in for a treat for the next six months as she’s currently back down south for a work placement. For my birthday earlier this month she whizzed me off in her mini for an afternoon together in the sunshine. The destination was Frithsden Vineyard; a lovely little place right on my doorstep that I never previously realised existed.
For just £2 per person visitors can go on a tour of the vineyard and then enjoy a wine tasting at the little shop on site.
The disused ‘boutique’ vineyard was bought by Simon Tooley, a BBC cameraman, and his wife Natalie Tooley, a fashion designer, in 2006. They brought the site back to life and planted 6,000 vines of unusual varieties developed to grow in a cool climate. The wine is pressed and bottled in the winery building.
What makes the place even lovelier is a terrace adorned with bunting where guests can enjoy afternoon teas and a little shop where Natalie sells her self-designed clothes and vintage bits ‘n’ bobs.
Unfortunately we visited at the wrong time of year. The grapes had been picked so our tour consisted of a walk around looking at rows and rows of barren twigs! However, we enjoyed the wine tasting and even tried a sparkling red, something neither of us had heard of before. We then had a girly natter over tea and cake. Simon had also got the barbecue going so we tucked into some yummy burgers too!
There was a baby shower taking place at the vineyard during our visit and it struck me as the perfect location for summer gatherings. They also host themed dinner and entertainment evenings including a Spanish evening and Cheese and Wine event. I’ll definitely be back in June when the grapes are out!
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