Rosemary Vineyard, Ryde, Isle of Wight
Situated on the east coast of the Isle of Wight, close to Ryde, Rosemary Vineyard is a small but welcoming vineyard producing wine, cider and fruit juices. Visit for a self-guided or guided vineyard tour and wine tasting.
Thanks to the Isle of Wight’s mild climate and high levels of sunshine, vines thrive here. Rosemary Vineyard is a delightful place to visit for a self-guided tour of the winery and vineyard followed by a light lunch on the terrace overlooking the vines.
- Self-guided vineyard tour
- Tastings in the shop
- Have lunch in the vineyard café
- Camp in the vineyard
Visit a Sunny Island Vineyard
Planted in 1986, the vines at Rosemary Vineyard cover 30 acres in total.
With its mostly south-facing aspect, the vineyard is ideally placed to benefit from the Island’s mild climate.
Situated in a valley, it’s able to retain both summer warmth whilst sheltering the vines from the south-westerly winds. Several grape varieties are grown here including Rondo, Bacchus, Phoenix and Schönburger.
Take a Self-Guided Vineyard Tour
Turn up for a self-guided tour and you’ll receive a friendly and warm welcome from the team who work here.
They’re happy for you to have a browse around the winery to see the tanks and the bottling machines. On selected days throughout the year, when the winery is operational, you can view the wine-making process in action.
As you walk along the vineyard trail, there are handy signs introducing you to each grape variety and guiding you through the activity in the vineyard as the seasons change.
Taste the Wine
Afterwards, you’re invited to taste the wines in the vineyard shop. Try country wines, ciders, fruit liqueurs and apple juice. The shop also stocks a small selection of Isle of Wight produce.
Enjoy Lunch on the Terrace
On a sunny day, sit out on the terrace and enjoy coffee and cake or a Ploughman’s lunch accompanied by a glass of wine.
The Vineyard Café has a pretty outlook overlooking the vines so you can pretend you’re in France.
Tips
- On select days, the vineyard also offers free guided tours (no advance booking required)
- There are 8 pitches for caravans and camper vans so you can stay amongst the vines
- To continue your vineyard trail of the Isle of Wight, drive to Adgestone vineyard which is close by
- To continue your cider tasting, head to Sharon Orchard which is literally next door or to the picture-postcard village of Godshill to taste Godshill cider and visit its famous model village
Cook’s Tip
For a tipsy autumnal dessert, go blackberry picking and serve your blackberries with vanilla ice cream drizzled with blackberry liqueur from Rosemary Vineyard
Where to Stay on The Isle of Wight
Hillside
Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Offering boutique rooms and a restaurant, Hillside has panoramic sea views with a Scandinavian feel.
Rooms from £156 a night.
Dogs
They tell me that if we are staying at the vineyard, then well-behaved dogs like me are very welcome.
How to Find Rosemary Vineyard
Rosemary Vineyard, Smallbrook Ln, Ryde, Newport, Isle of Wight PO33 4BE
Website: www.rosemaryvineyard.co.uk
The Foodie Travel Guide
Sally is the founder and editor of The Foodie Travel Guide. She travels around the UK and beyond in search of the best foodie days out, tasting experiences and delicious places to stay. She loves a glass of English sparkling wine, afternoon tea with friends and escaping London for gastronomic adventures.