Whinyard Rocks

Open Days page (checked via WebFetch) states free entry - "Booking is free and helps us plan the day" - visitors can attend without pre-booking, though it is encouraged via Eventbrite. Separate Private Group Tours and Tastings (10-14 people) require booking.

Opening hours can change for private events - it's always worth checking the vineyard's website before you visit.

What's the vibe?

Whinyard Rocks is a secluded, family-run natural vineyard nestled in the foothills of the Radnor Forest in Mid-Wales, embracing a low-intervention approach to winemaking. The setting offers a truly tranquil escape, complemented by stylish, cosy on-site accommodation.

Visiting the Vineyard: Whinyard Rocks primarily opens its doors for special free Vineyard Open Weekends during the summer season, offering tours, tastings, and a chance to purchase wines. Registration in advance is encouraged for these events to help manage numbers. The vineyard is not open year-round for casual drop-ins.

Tours: A self-guided audio tour of the vineyard is available, narrated by co-founder and head of vines James Kinsey-Jones. Explore the audio tour here.

On-site Food & Drink: While there is no permanent restaurant or cafe, street food vendors are typically on-site during the Vineyard Open Weekends.

Wine Shop: Wines can be purchased online as well as during open events. Visit the online shop.

Accommodation: Highbrook Cottage is a two-bedroom self-catering cottage sleeping up to four guests, available year-round for 3, 4, or 7-night stays from £130 per night. The cottage is a restored 16th-century former farmworkers' building with a log burner, fibre WiFi, a charcoal barbecue, luxury linen, eco toiletries, vineyard views, and a Pod Point EV charging point. A welcome pack includes homemade Welsh cakes, local eggs, and a bottle of wine. Children are welcome; a travel cot is provided and a high chair is available on request. Pets are not permitted at the cottage. Find out more about the cottage.

Parking: The cottage is accessed via its own private lane with free on-site parking for up to four cars.

Children & Dogs: Children are welcome at the vineyard's open events and at Highbrook Cottage. Dogs are welcome at open vineyard events on a lead, but cannot be accommodated at the cottage.

Accessibility: Visitors should note that the ground in and around the vineyard is uneven, and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs.

Whinyard Rocks is dedicated to producing natural, low-intervention wines, prioritizing a truer expression of the grapes and their unique Welsh terroir. The vineyard cultivates hybrid grape varieties such as Solaris, Phoenix, Ortega, Rondo, and Regent, chosen for their suitability to the cool climate and disease tolerance. Their winemaking philosophy avoids the use of pesticides and chemicals, instead relying on natural products like organic seaweed spray and compost as fertilisers. This regenerative approach to viticulture aims for a sustainable future.

The vineyard produces a range of sparkling wines, including sparkling white, sparkling red, a skin contact Pét-Nat, and a sparkling Col Fondo. Their 'Bubbly Bubbly 2021', a traditional method sparkling white made from Phoenix grapes, received a score of 89 points from Decanter in 2024. Their 'Col Rondo 2021', a sparkling red from Rondo grapes, has also been featured by Decanter. While the grapes are grown at Whinyard Rocks, the wine itself is made and bottled off-site in Herefordshire.

The vineyard is located in Rocks, Presteigne, with the postcode LD8 2TG. It is situated between New Radnor and Kinnerton on the B4372.

By Car
Whinyard Rocks is easily found on Google Maps. The what3words location for precise navigation is ///nicely.cloth.racked.

By Public Transport
New Radnor does not have an operational train station. The nearest bus stops are Post Office and The Bakery in New Radnor, served by the 461, 462, and X11 bus routes. For those travelling by train, the nearest active station is Llandrindod Wells, though a taxi or bus transfer would be required from there to the vineyard (approximately 10 miles). Public transport connections in this rural area can be limited, so checking current timetables with Traveline Cymru is advisable.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

Here are some notable places and attractions in the vicinity of Whinyard Rocks:

Notable Restaurants:
The Harp Inn, Old Radnor: This award-winning country pub, recognised as the Good Pub Guide's Country Pub of the Year in 2020 and Best Powys Pub in 2021, offers stunning views across the Radnor Valley and excellent seasonal food.

Notable Hotels:
The Lake Country House Hotel & Spa: Situated in wooded grounds on the River Irfon, this spa hotel offers a luxurious retreat with fine dining and views towards the Cambrian Mountains.

Notable Attractions:
Judge's Lodging Museum, Presteigne: Explore this historic Victorian courthouse and gaol, offering a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century life and justice.

Water-Break-its-Neck Waterfall: Located within Warren Woods, this picturesque waterfall is accessible via an easy 1-hour walk, providing a refreshing natural escape.