Three Choirs Vineyard
phonetic
England's oldest and largest single estate vineyard, producing 250,000,300,000 bottles annually from 75 acres of Gloucestershire's sheltered Vale of Evesham.
Three Choirs Vineyard in Newent, Gloucestershire, is England's oldest and largest single estate vineyard, founded in 1973. Covering 75 acres with an additional 40 acres at Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire, it produces up to 300,000 bottles annually across still, sparkling, and rosé styles.
- Founded in 1973 by Alan McKechnie; first vintage produced in 1976
- Located in Newent, Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Vale of Evesham
- 75 acres in Gloucestershire plus 40 acres at Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire
- Second largest commercial vineyard in the UK
- First English vineyard to win a Gold medal at Vinexpo in Bordeaux
- Produces 250,000,300,000 bottles annually from 14,20 grape varieties
- On-site facilities include a brasserie, visitor centre, and 11-bedroom hotel
History and Origins
Three Choirs Vineyard traces its roots to 1973, when Alan McKechnie planted the first vines on a small fruit farm then known as Fairfield Fruit Farms. The first commercial vintage followed in 1976. John Oldacre acquired the property in 1984 and oversaw significant expansion, renaming it Three Choirs Vineyards in reference to the celebrated Three Choirs Festival held across Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester. A new winery and visitor centre opened in 1990, hotel accommodation was added in 2000, and in 2014 the estate acquired Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire, adding a further 40 acres to its holdings.
- First vines planted 1973; first vintage 1976, making it one of England's oldest continuous vineyards
- Renamed after the Three Choirs Festival following John Oldacre's acquisition in 1984
- Winery and visitor centre built 1990; hotel rooms added 2000
- Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire acquired 2014
Location and Climate
The vineyard sits in Newent, Gloucestershire, within the Forest of Dean district, on the sheltered edge of the Vale of Evesham. Protection from the Welsh mountains, the Cotswold hills, and the Malvern hills creates a mild microclimate with good sunlight and relatively low rainfall. South-facing slopes aid ripening, a critical advantage in England's cool-climate conditions. The well-draining sandy loam and sandstone soils prevent waterlogging and encourage healthy vine root development.
- Sheltered by the Welsh mountains, Cotswolds, and Malvern hills
- South-facing slopes maximise sun exposure and ripening potential
- Sandy loam and free-draining sandstone soils
- Mild climate with relatively low rainfall for an English vineyard
Wines and Grape Varieties
Three Choirs grows between 14 and 20 grape varieties across its Gloucestershire estate, including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Madeleine Angevine, Phoenix, Siegerrebe, Seyval Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Rechsteiner, Orion, Savant Blanc, Rondo, and Regent. The range spans dry whites, aromatic whites, rosé, and sparkling wines. Grapes are hand-harvested between September and November. The estate's achievement of a Gold medal at Vinexpo in Bordeaux marked a landmark moment for English wine's international reputation.
- 14,20 varieties grown, including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Seyval Blanc
- Produces still, sparkling, and rosé wines
- Hand-harvested September to November each year
- First English vineyard to win Gold at Vinexpo in Bordeaux
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Look it up →The Estate Experience
Three Choirs operates as a full destination estate, combining wine production with hospitality. The on-site brasserie, visitor centre, and 11-bedroom hotel make it one of the most complete wine tourism destinations in England. Producing 250,000 to 300,000 bottles annually, it functions at a scale rare among English vineyards, while maintaining the identity of a single-estate producer.
- On-site brasserie, visitor centre, and 11 hotel bedrooms
- One of England's most established wine tourism destinations
- Annual production of 250,000,300,000 bottles
- Second largest commercial vineyard in the UK
Three Choirs white wines show aromatic intensity from varieties like Bacchus, Siegerrebe, and Madeleine Angevine, with elderflower, citrus, and stone fruit character. Seyval Blanc and Phoenix contribute crisp acidity and clean fruit. Sparkling wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier reflect classic cool-climate freshness, with fine mousse and green apple notes. Red and rosé styles using Rondo and Regent offer light to medium body with red fruit character suited to England's growing conditions.
- Three Choirs Vineyards Bacchus$15-20Estate-grown Bacchus from Gloucestershire's sheltered Vale of Evesham; a benchmark example of English aromatic white.Find →
- Three Choirs Vineyards Classic Cuvée Sparkling$25-35Sparkling wine from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grown on south-facing Gloucestershire slopes.Find →
- Three Choirs Vineyards Premium Release Chardonnay$30-45Single-estate Chardonnay from 75-acre Newent vineyard; reflects cool-climate precision and the estate's Vinexpo Gold-winning pedigree.Find →
- Founded 1973; first vintage 1976; one of England's oldest continuously operating vineyards
- Second largest commercial vineyard in the UK; claims title of England's largest single estate vineyard
- 75 acres in Gloucestershire plus 40 acres at Wickham Vineyard (Hampshire), acquired 2014
- Grows 14,20 varieties including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, and Rondo
- First English vineyard to win a Gold medal at Vinexpo in Bordeaux