As winemakers in Wales reopen their vineyards and cellars to the public after months of lockdown, this year’s Welsh Wine Week is encouraging wine lovers to explore the vineyards producing Wales’s finest vintages.

During the height of the pandemic’s 2020 lockdowns, the inaugural Welsh Wine Week saw vineyard owners and their hospitality partners take to social media and online platforms to engage with new and existing customers in their homes.

This effort was credited by vineyards and hospitality experts for generating a vital boost in online sales to aid businesses that had been forced to close their doors to the public, at a time that should have been the industry’s busiest season for ‘cellar door’ income through tours, events and tastings.

Welsh Wine Week 2021, which is taking place from Friday 4th June to Sunday 13th June, returns to continue that support and to celebrate that gates are once again open at vineyards across Wales.

Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard, North Wales

While it may still be some months before international visitors can return in person to discover the vineyards of Wales, this year’s celebration once again includes a number of online events and activities, including those hosted by winemakers who have just secured top awards at the International Wine Challenge 2021.

Award winners include Monmouthshire’s White Castle Vineyard, for their Pinot Noir Precoce Reserve; Montgomery Vineyard in Powys, for their Sparkling Seyval Blanc, Sparkling Rosé, and Solaris 2020; and Gwinllan Conwy, for their Solaris 2019 and Pefriog 2019.

White Castle Vineyard, Monmouthshire

Robb Merchant, owner of White Castle Vineyard and Chairman of the Welsh Vineyard Association, said: “After one of the hardest years in memory for our growing Welsh wine making industry, the return of Welsh Wine Week is something we are all eagerly awaiting. Wine makers are passionate about what we do, and we relish the chance to help people get more insight into Wales’ wine production.

“We are incredibly grateful to those who have continued to support us, but we hope that even more wine drinkers will get behind Welsh Wine Week 2021 by signing up to events and buying some of the wonderful produce grown here.

“Last year showed us that we can use virtual events to engage with consumers, and that will continue, but we all hope that many people will also choose to visit us in person and discover first-hand how Wales is capable of producing internationally respected wines of exceptional quality.”

Velfrey Vineyard, Pembrokeshire

Events taking place in Welsh Wine Week 2021 include a series of Facebook and Instagram Live events hosted by White Castle Vineyard revealing their journey to becoming a multi-award winning vineyard; wine tasting and vineyard viewing days at Red Wharf Bay Vineyard, Anglesey; the chance to join the team at Pembrokeshire’s Velfrey Vineyard to discover their new Traditional Method Quality Sparkling Wine, and independent and bilingual wine merchants Vin Van Caerdydd will join Ancre Hill for a virtual tour of their biodynamic vineyard. Find out more about the events here.

Welsh Wine Week is organised by the Welsh Drinks Cluster, funded by the Welsh Government, which works in partnership with Welsh drinks producers to promote the industry and its production of world class products.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, said: “The Welsh wine industry is really taking off, as more and more people discover the delights of top quality Welsh wines. We look forward to international travel opening up again soon, so we can once again showcase these tremendous wines on our tailor-made tours of Wales.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a customised tour of Wales, discovering the best Welsh wines and enjoying lots of other delicious food and drink, please do contact our friendly team today. Find out more here about our Food and Wine Tours.