Brightwell Vineyard is owned and run by Bob and Carol Nielsen.  One mile from Wallingford and 8 miles from the city of Oxford, Brightwell Vineyard abuts the south side of the River Thames.  The flinty chalk greensand and gravel of the Thames Valley region provides ideal grapevine soil, while the upper Thames Valley bowl, is sheltered by surrounding hills and consequently is one of the driest areas of the UK.  14 acres were planted between 1988 and 1990 with six varieties all grown on the Geneva double curtain trellis system.  Originally the vineyard was part of the Partnership wine co-operative, before the vineyard was acquired by the current owners in 1999.  After considerable renovation the Vineyard now produces five different wines and is winning awards in National competitions. 

Bob is currently Chairman of the Thames & Vineyards Vineyards Association.

Grape Varieties Grown:

Bacchus

Reichensteiner

Huxelrebe

Chardonnay

Dornfelder

Dunkelfelder

Wine Styles Produced:

Crisp dry and off-dry white

Dry red

Rose

Visitors Facilities:

Open for individual walks or guided group tours and tastings by appointment from Easter to end September.  Guests can walk through the vines, explore woodland and lakeside walks, and picnic next to the River Thames.

Individual vine & lake walk £2.00 per person. 

Tutored tasting £3.00 per person.

2 hour guided group tour and tutored tasting: £54 per group (up to 18 people).

All tastings by appointment.

Sales:

Mail order (telephone or email), direct from vineyard, also local outlets and farmers markets.

Outlets include:

Added Ingredients, 14 Stert Street, Abingdon  Tel: 01235 537405

Granary Delicatessen, 10 High Street, Watlington  Tel: 01491 613585

Q Gardens Farm Shop, Milton Hill, Steventon, Nr Didcot  Tel: 01235 820988

Wickcroft Farm Shop, Pangbourne Road, Theale, Nr Reading  Tel: 01189 305 159

Millets Farm Shop, Kingston Rd, Frilford, Nr Oxford.  Tel: 01865 392200

The Springs Hotel & Golf Club.  North Stoke, Nr Wallingford.

Wallingford Farmers Market.  3rd Tuesday every month.

Directions:

Situated one mile northwest of Wallingford on the road to Shillingford Bridge.