Wickham Vineyards facts for kids

Wickham Vineyards is a special place in Wickham, Hampshire, England. It's where grapes are grown to make delicious wine. The vineyard started in 1984. It covers about 18 acres, which is like 14 football fields! The whole estate is even bigger, around 40 acres. Did you know that one of their white wines, called "Fumé," is even served at the UK House of Commons? That's where important government meetings happen!

Exploring Wickham Vineyards

What You Can See

The Wickham Vineyards estate is more than just grape fields. It has a special building called the winery. This is where grapes are crushed and turned into wine. You can also find tasting rooms, a shop, and a restaurant here. There's even a nature reserve with beautiful woodland.

Fun for Visitors

When you visit, you can take a guided tour with audio. You can walk among the vines and see how wine is made. The tours also teach you about the history of English winemaking. You'll learn about winemaking from the time of the Romans until today. You'll also discover the story of Wickham Vineyard itself.

Dining and Entertainment

The restaurant at the vineyard offers great views. You can look out over the main grape fields while you eat. In the summer, the estate hosts outdoor shows. Local acting groups perform plays for everyone to enjoy.

How Wine is Made at Wickham

Types of Wine Produced

Wickham Vineyards makes different kinds of wine. They produce red, white, and sparkling wines. When the vineyard first started, they only made white wine. But now, with warmer weather, they can grow red grapes too! All the wine is made right there on the estate.

The Winemaking Process

Grapes are usually picked in October. After picking, they are crushed. Then, they go through a process called fermentation. This is where the grape juice turns into wine. This whole process happens in a barn that is 200 years old. It has been updated with modern equipment.

Grape Varieties and Awards

The grapes grown here are often Germanic types. This is because the climate in Hampshire is similar to parts of Germany. Some of the grapes they grow include Dornfelder, Bacchus, and Reichensteiner. Many of Wickham's wines have won awards. They have received honors both in England and around the world. In 2007, they won a bronze award. This was a big achievement for an English vineyard at the time!

Special Techniques

Wickham Vineyards also helps other grape growers. They use their facilities to make wine for them. Some of their wines are aged in traditional French oak barrels. The vineyard uses many old French and German winemaking methods. These techniques help make their wines special.