Swanaford Vineyard Tour and Tasting: English Wine in Dartmoor

Walk the vines and taste the wines they become

A 1.5-hour guided tour of Swanaford Vineyard in Dartmoor National Park where you walk through 10,000 vines, see five grape varieties including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and taste all the vineyard's wines while learning the winemaking process. The vineyard sits in a valley within the national park. Guides are knowledgeable and welcome questions about vineyard management. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Vineyard tour and wine tasting

• Meet guide at tasting barn
• Walk through 10,000 vines
• Learn about grape growing challenges
• Return to barn for wine tasting
• Discuss winemaking process

The Experience

You walk through the vines with one of four guides (Robbie, Tim, Caroline or Ben), who explain how grapes grow on Dartmoor and the specific challenges the site faces. The vineyard plants five varieties on site: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (the traditional champagne grapes), plus two others. What you see depends on the season. In spring, new shoots emerge on recently pruned vines. In high summer or early autumn, vigorous growth and ripening grapes fill the rows. The 10,000 vines spread across a beautiful valley within Dartmoor National Park, surrounded by open countryside.

After the walk, you return to the tasting barn to sample all of the vineyard's wines. The guides talk you through the winemaking process as you taste, and they're happy to answer questions about any aspect of how the vineyard operates. Groups are kept deliberately small so each visitor has a comfortable and engaging experience. Food is available after the tour if you want to stay longer.

What’s included

• Guided walk through the vineyard with one of four named guides.
• tasting of all the vineyard's wines.
• explanation of the winemaking process.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcome

Operated by Swanaford Vineyard

Is this one for you?Small groups suit anyone who wants to ask questions and get to know the guides without feeling rushed through the vineyard. The 1.5-hour format fits a morning or afternoon slot without taking up a full day.

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Top questions

What grape varieties does Swanaford grow?

Swanaford grows five varieties on site: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier (the three traditional champagne grapes), plus two others. All five are included in the tasting after the walk.

What will I see if I visit in spring versus summer?

In spring, new shoots form on the recently pruned vines as they emerge from winter. In high summer or early autumn, you'll see vigorous growth and ripening grapes on the vines.

Is food included in the tour?

Food is not included in the tour itself, but it's available at the vineyard after the tour ends if you'd like to order it.