Wickham Vineyards facts for kids

Wickham Vineyards is a place in Wickham, England, where they grow grapes and make wine. It started in 1984. The vineyard covers about 18 acres (7.3 hectares) of a larger 40-acre (16-hectare) area. One of their white wines, called "Fumé," is even served in the UK Parliament!

Exploring the Vineyard Estate

The Wickham Vineyards estate has more than just grapevines. It also has a special building where they make the wine. This building is where grapes are crushed and fermented. Visitors can also find tasting rooms to try the wines. There is a shop to buy products and a restaurant with views of the vineyard. The estate also has a nature reserve with natural woodland.

What to See and Do at Wickham

Visitors can take tours around the vineyard. These tours use audio guides to explain things as you walk. You can see the grapevines and learn how wine is made. The tours also share the history of English winemaking. This includes stories from the Roman times to today. You can also learn about the history of Wickham Vineyard itself.

Dining and Entertainment

The restaurant at Wickham Vineyards offers great views. You can look out over the main vineyard while you eat. During the summer, local acting groups sometimes perform outdoors. This makes the estate a fun place for shows and events.

How Wickham Wines Are Made

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

From Grape to Bottle

Grapes are usually picked in October. After picking, they are crushed. Then, they go through a process called fermentation. This all happens in a barn that is 200 years old. This old barn has been updated with modern equipment.

Grape Varieties and Awards

The types of grapes grown are often like those found in Germany. This is because the climate in Wickham is similar. Some of the grapes they grow include Dornfelder, Bacchus, and Reichensteiner. Many of Wickham's wines have won awards. They have won awards 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 Winemaking Techniques

Wickham Vineyards also makes wine for other grape growers. They use their own facilities for this. Two of their wines are aged in traditional French oak barrels. The vineyard uses many traditional French and German winemaking methods. These techniques help make their wines special.