Towthorpe Vineyard

What's the vibe?

At 54°N, this is pretty much the edge of winemaking in England, which makes the commitment to following organic methods as closely as possible all the more admirable. With tours and wines scheduled for 2026, this is one to watch.

Vineyard tours are planned for late 2026 - check their website or follow @towthorpewinesyorkshire for updates on dates and booking.

In the meantime, Towthorpe are participating in the Great Yorkshire Wine and Fizz Festival on 27 June 2026 - a good early opportunity to try the wines. Tickets via the Yorkshire Heart website.

Towthorpe grows eight varieties: Solaris, Bacchus, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Rondo, Divico, Cabernet Franc, and Dornfelder. Their Cabernet Franc planting is reportedly the most northerly in the UK.

Four wines are planned for release in summer 2026:

• Origins - 100% Solaris
• The Nurtured Vine - 100% Bacchus
• Southfield - Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay blend
• 54°N - a red blend of Rondo, Divico, Cabernet Franc, and Dornfelder

All will be available to order via their website.

Towthorpe village is around 5 miles north-east of York city centre, off the B1363. The vineyard is at Manor Farm, Towthorpe Road, YO32 9ST. From York, it's around 15 minutes by car. The A64 is the most direct route from Leeds (around 40 minutes) or Scarborough (around 35 minutes).

York

15 minutes south - a natural pairing with a vineyard visit, whether for the Viking history, the independent restaurants, or the racecourse.

The Howardian Hills

The Howardian Hills AONB begins just to the north-east, with Castle Howard around 12 miles away - worth the detour for the grounds and the café alone.