Vineyards in East Devon and Dorset

A Taste for Dorset’s Native Tipples

Dorset has a burgeoning reputation as one of the UK’s most charismatic beer, wine and liquor producing counties.

From craft beer and micro-distilleries to ancient vineyards and centuries old breweries, Dorset is responsible for such iconic labels as Palmers Ale and Dorset Orchard, plus countless other regional favourites.

If you have an appreciation for the perfect pint or a keen nose for a bouquet, you might well want to pay a visit to one of Dorset’s distilleries, vineyards, cider farms and breweries. Plus, wine tasting and distillery tours are great ideas for days out in Dorset for adults. Here’s a roundup of some of our favourites…

Furleigh Estate

Surrounded by lakes, meadows and woodland near the historic town of Bridport, Furleigh Estate is one of Dorset’s most assiduous wine producers. Over half of the estate’s 22,000 vines are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, used to produce delicious sparkling wines. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’re invited to tour the vineyard and enjoy a tasting of Furleigh’s selection of still and sparkling wines.

Langham Wine Estate

Take a tour of the Langham Wine Estate, hundreds of acres of vineyards overlooked by the magnificent Bingham’s Melcombe manor house, a Grade I listed building that has been sympathetically maintained since the reign of Edwards VI. Langham Wine Estate offers various types of tours and also hosts a tasting room where you’re invited to sample and purchase the

Castlewood Vineyard

Nestled beneath the ancient hill fort of Musbury Castle in East Devon is Castlewood Vineyard. The small ’boutique’ vineyard produces an exclusive range of sparkling wines. Using only the ripest fruit to deliver optimum flavour, family and friends of the vineyard are called in to help with the annual harvest, with everyone eagerly anticipating their free wine as payment. As well as their online shop, Castlewood Vineyard runs lots of events and collaborations with local restaurants, chefs and food producers.

Somerset Cider Brandy Company

Not far from the border of East Devon and Dorsetis the Somerset Cider Brandy Company, with over 160 acres of cider apple orchards at the base of the well-known landmark, Burrow Hill. The company, who grow more than 40 varieties of vintage cider apples, have been pressing cider for 150 years. As well as their Burrow Hill cider, they produce a range of Somerset cider brandy, apple eau de vie and delicious Morello cherries soaked in their apple eau de vie. Visitors are welcome to the farm Monday to Saturday, and can sample the cider and cider brandy  in the ciderhouse, walk to the top of Burrow Hill, follow an informative trail through the orchard and view the large copper stills (affectionally named  Josephine and Fifi) in the distillery.

Palmers Brewery

till working out of its original brewery house in Bridport, West Dorset, is Palmers Brewery, one of the UK’s most exceptional small, independent brewers. Since 1794, Palmers has been brewing spectacular ales with the finest ingredients, and boast five ‘quality labels’ hosted by pubs and inns all over the country and beyond. Palmers Brewery tours run from Easter to the end of October and offer a fascinating glimpse into the company’s history and an introduction to the entire brewing process, topped off with a tasting session in the Palmers Wine Store.

The Dorset Brewing Company

The Dorset Brewing Company has restored an 800-year-old brewing tradition to the port of Weymouth on the spectacular Jurassic Coast. This well-respected family brewery has grown from humble beginnings and now runs a state-of-the-art spring water fed brewhouse capable of crafting 1.5 million pints a year. The company offers entertaining tours of their brewhouse where you can expect to learn the secrets behind its impressive range of coastal ales.

Lyme Regis Brewery

With its proud West Country heritage and popular array of real ales, Lyme Regis Brewery sources only locally grown ingredients for its unique blends and flavours. Set in the historic old town mill (a corner for artisans) in the historic seaside town of Lyme Regis, the brewery’s popular tap and shop allows you to ‘try and buy’ draught beers and sit out in the beautiful cobbled courtyard and sup on a pint or three. The shop is well-stocked with the brewery’s full range of bottled beers plus other local delicacies.

Black Cow

Set in the rolling hills around Beaminster, West Dorset, is the Black Cow distillery. Made entirely from the milk of grass grazed cows, this exceptionally smooth vodka offers an unsurpassed creaminess. Pure milk vodka is the creation of Dorset dairy farmer, Jason Barber, born from his passion for vodka and his ambition to diversify. Black Cow vodka works beautifully in a number of cocktails, which you can find on their website.

Conker Spirit

Tucked away in the sandy backstreets of Southbourne, Bournemouth, is one of the UK’s most industrious distilleries. Conker Spirit produces award-winning dry gin distilled with the finest wheat spirit and New Forest spring water. Conker Spirit is also famous for its Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, one of the first of its kind in the UK.

Discover delectable Dorset – the toast of the West Country – when you book a holiday cottage with Toad Hall Cottages.