Welsh vineyards are throwing open their gates to celebrate Welsh Wine Week this week (Saturday 24 May – Friday 6 June 2008).
The reputation of Welsh wine has grown in recent years and now visitors will have the opportunity to tour vineyards and taste the fruits of Welsh vintners’ labours.
Many vineyards now have shops and cafes making a trip to a vineyard a popular outing for all the family.

There are more unusual attractions too - visitors can walk an alpaca at Wernddu Vineyard at Pen-y-Clawdd in Monmouth. The vineyard produces white wine, perry and cider, but also keeps a small herd of alpacas – two of which are specially trained to be walked.

The organic vineyard, that names their drinks after the alpacas, will also be offering the more traditional tastings and tours, like many vineyards across Wales.

Welsh Wine Week aims to spark interest in Wales’ wine producers and vineyards across the country will be offering tastings, tours, and special promotions in order to show the quality of Welsh wine.

The weather is also having an impact, with the rise in average temperatures in Britain fuelling growth in the Welsh wine industry.

There are now more than 20 vineyards in Wales producing around 100,000 bottles of wine each year. The majority is white, but red and rose wines are on the increase as well as sparkling white varieties made by the Champagne method.

The following vineyards will be open to the public and holding special events during Welsh Wine Week (May 24 - June 6).

Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Pendoylan, Vale of Glamorgan Contact - 01443 225877 www.llanerch-vineyard.co.uk New restaurant “Calon” opened this year, open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday and Sunday lunch only. Complimentary glass of house sparkling wine for restaurant diners during Welsh Wine Week The shop is open Tuesday - Sunday 10 – 4. Buy 2 bottles and get the third half price during Welsh Wine Week Self-guided tour and wine tasting session £8 Coffee shop offering light lunches, tapas, cream teas

Cwm Deri Vineyard, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire. Contact - Michael Caine 01834 891274 www.cwm-deri.co.uk The vineyard is open Monday - Saturday 11am - 5pm and Sunday 12 - 5pm for vineyard tours, pets’ corner, the cafe and wine tastings of the wines and liqueurs they produce. The restaurant, which must be booked in advance, is open Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtime.

Wernddu Vineyard, Pen-y-clawdd, Monmouth Contact - Leigh Strawford 01600 740104 www.wernddu-wine.co.uk Organic vineyard is opening Tuesday 27 May – Monday 2 June Monday – Friday 12 – 7pm Weekends 3 – 7 pm Produce white wine, also cider and perry from locally grown fruit, on sale in shop Local arts and crafts are on sale Wine tastings, vineyard tours and opportunity to walk an alpaca (weekends only – ring to book) Tea and coffee Bouncy castle (weather permitting)

Parva Farm Vineyard, Tintern, Monmouthshire Contact - Judith Dudley 01291 689636 Visit the vineyard for tours, wine tastings and sales 10 per cent off all wine bought during Welsh Wine Week Open 11.30 - 6pm every day. Tastings of Welsh cheeses. Local preserves, honey and garden plants for sale.

Gwinllan Padig, Cemaes, Anglesey Contact - Tom Barlow 01407 710416 www.llanbadrigvineyard.net Produce white wine and sparkling wines with red wines planned for the future Open 12 - 6pm every day for vineyard tours and to see the winery with wine tastings in the shop and a cup of coffee in the cafe.

Gelynis Vineyard, Morganstown, Cardiff Contact - Roger Watt 02920 844440 www.gelynisfarm.co.uk There is an acre of vines on this fruit farm which produce white and sparkling wines for sampling and purchase during visiting. Open 11am - 5pm every day between May and October and weekends during the winter Pick your own strawberries from end of May

Ffynon Las Vineyard, Lampeter Road, Aberaeron, Ceredigion Contact Martin Lewis (01545) 570234 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Special 10 per cent discount during Welsh Wine Week Produce dry, medium and sweet white wine and sparkling wine and also liqueurs Open daily 2 – 5pm between Easter and end of October

Sugar Loaf Vineyard, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire Contact - Louise Ryan 01873 853066 for opening hours www.sugarloafvineyards.co.uk Tours, wine tastings, wine sales and coffee shop

Ancre Hill Vineyard, Ancre Hill, Monmouth Contact Richard and Joy Morris 01600 713157 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it It is the third year for this new vineyard and the first grapes will be picked this autumn so no wine to taste yet Vineyard tours and shop selling wine-related goods