Vineyards and distilleries of Warwickshire
At a glance
Time: 1 day
Warwickshire has a food and drink story that runs the full length of the county - from a family vineyard planted in the ancient Arden Forest in the north to a wine merchant whose extraordinary cellars have been stocking the finest bottles in England since 1842 in the south. This two-day trail connects them, taking in award-winning distilleries, craft cider producers, farm butchers, artisan cafés and some of the finest farm shops in the Midlands along the way.
Day one heads north and east - through the Arden Forest to the canal-threaded market town country of mid-Warwickshire, ending at a farm distillery near Kenilworth. Day two moves south through Shakespeare country and the Cotswold fringe, from a Tudor-themed gin distillery on the banks of the Avon to a hilltop cider producer, a legendary farm shop and a mill-stream café, before finishing in Shipston-on-Stour.
Some stops welcome walk-ins; others reward those who plan ahead. Check each website before you set off - some are only open one or two days a week.
Your experience is yours to shape during the tour - whether that’s sampling along the way or saving something special for later. If you’re driving, please be mindful of drink‑drive limits or better still plan ahead with a designated driver.
Many venues offer flexible tasting options, soft drinks, and plenty to take home, so you can enjoy the tour in a way that suits you.
Key highlights
- Blabers Hall Wine Estate - a family vineyard planted in the ancient Arden Forest
- The Shiny Vine, Wolvey - a wide selection of English wines in the region with a working vineyard
- East Chase Distillers, Kenilworth - Heritage Gin produced on a five-generation farm
- Shakespeare Distillery, Stratford-upon-Avon - Tudor-themed, handcrafted spirits with award-winning experiences
- Napton Cidery - award-winning craft cider produced on a hilltop farm above the Oxford Canal
- Sheldon's Wine Cellars, Shipston-on-Stour - one of the most characterful wine merchants in England, trading from the same cellars since 1842
Day 1 – Title of day
Stop 1: Blabers Hall Wine Estate, Fillongley
Green End Road, Fillongley, CV7 8EP
A young, energetic vineyard in the heart of the historic Arden Forest. With sweeping views, elegant English wines, still and sparkling releases, and a busy calendar of tastings and events. Fast becoming a favourite destination for visitors near and far. Pre-booking is
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Stop 2: The Shiny Vine, Wolvey
Leicester Grange, Hinckley Road, Wolvey, LE10 3FT
The Shiny Vine - English Wine Specialists & Vineyards, is a hidden Warwickshire gem quickly being known by wine lovers for its stunning rural English Wine Shop with one of the largest selections of English wines in the region, their dynamic events including wine and cheese evenings, & tranquil educational vineyards to tour, glass in hand, set amongst stunning Warwickshire countryside. The Shiny Vine team’s expertise to educate people on the farming process of wine - from soil to glass.
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Stop 3: The Cross at Kenilworth - Lunch
16 New Street, Kenilworth, CV8 2EZ
Stop for lunch at one of the finest restaurants in Warwickshire. Set in a 19th-century pub that manages to feel genuinely relaxed rather than intimidating, expect bold, classically based dishes using local seasonal produce. The rear terrace is exceptional in summer. Book well in advance.
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Stop 4: East Chase Distillers, Kenilworth
East Chase Farm, Chase Lane, Kenilworth, CV8 1PR
End day one at a farm distillery on the outskirts of Kenilworth, where Heritage Gin is produced through a world-class Holstein still on a family farm. East Chase Distillers opens for Friday evening walk-ins and runs pre-booked Gin, Tonic and Tales evenings. Tours and make-your-own gin experiences also available by booking.
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Stop 5: Shakespeare Distillery, Stratford-upon-Avon
Drayton Manor Drive, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9RQ
Begin in Stratford with a visit to one of the most distinctive distilleries in the country. Shakespeare Distillery produces Tudor-themed, handcrafted spirits and has won multiple West Midlands Tourism Awards for its distillery experiences - including Experience of the Year for its Gin School. Options range from distillery tours of their production site to gin schools where you make and take home your own bottle. Pre-booking is recommended for all experiences.
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Stop 6: Napton Cidery, Napton-on-the-Hill
Holroyd House Farm, Napton on the Hill, Southam, CV47 8NY
High on the hill above the Oxford Canal, Napton Cidery produces award-winning ciders from British apples at Holroyd House Farm in Napton on the Hill. The taproom is open most days and a range of tasting experiences are available - from an introduction to the cider-making process with five cider samples through to the Ploughman's and Cider Tasting evening, combining local food with a guided tasting. Booking is required for tasting experiences.
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Stop 7: Sheldon's Wine Cellars
6 New Street, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 4EN
End the trail in Shipston at one of the most characterful wine merchants in England. In 1837 Richard Badger purchased the former Shipston Workhouse, excavated the cellars beneath it and opened a wine merchant in 1842. His nephew Edward Sheldon joined in 1863, building the business into one of the largest independent vintners in the country - supplying fine wines to country houses, Oxford colleges and officers' messes across the Empire. The firm has traded under the Sheldon's name ever since, now run by a team of WSET-qualified wine enthusiasts since 2018. Pop into the shop, take advice from the team, browse the 1,000-strong wine selection, and leave with something exceptional. The cellars beneath - where wine was once bottled from barrel are worth a peek. A fitting and thoroughly satisfying end.
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Stop 8: Cotswolds Distillery Near Shipston‑on‑Stour
Cotswolds Distillery is an award-winning English distillery in the heart of the Cotswolds, renowned for its premium single malt whisky, gin, and other handcrafted spirits. Founded in 2014, it combines traditional distilling methods with locally sourced ingredients and a passion for craftsmanship. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, tastings, the Still House Café, and the newly opened The Hidden Still cocktail bar, offering expertly crafted drinks and stunning sunset views from their terrace every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the summer.
Find on mapOptional extra: Warwickshire Gin Company, Leamington Spa
13, Victoria Business Centre, Neilston St, Leamington Spa CV31 2AZ
Tucked in the Old Town, the Warwickshire Gin Company produces small-batch, locally-inspired gins, rums and vodka. Ninety-minute distillery tours run Thursday to Saturday, featuring seven tastings and a complimentary drink. An easy add-on to either day given Leamington's central position in the county - or a standalone evening out.
Tours Thursday–Saturday · pre-booking recommended
Find on mapOptional extra: Welcombe Hills Vineyard
Welcombe Hills Vineyard, Snitterfield, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0QG
Perched on the Welcombe Hills above Stratford on land once owned by the Shakespeare family, Welcombe Hills has been producing award-winning still and sparkling wines for over two decades. Tours and tastings are paused for 2026 while the vineyard takes a breather - but the wines are available online and in local shops, bars and restaurants across the county. One to add to day two when tours resume.
Tours suspended 2026 · Wines available online and locally
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