The UK wine industry is booming. According to WineGB, there are now more than 1,000 vineyards across the country. Production is not just expanding – it’s flourishing. The latest WineGB report (2025) shows over a thousand registered wineries and thousands of hectares under vine.
It’s a huge change from even a decade ago, and it’s putting English and Welsh wines firmly on the global radar.
Enter Gwinllan Conwy: A Very Special Welsh Vineyard
Nestled near Llandudno Junction, between the rolling hills of North Wales, Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard is the kind of place that stays with you. Colin and Charlotte Bennett planted the vineyard in 2012, starting with a few hundred vines. Today, it stretches to around 3.5 acres, with roughly 3,000 vines.
What makes the vineyard stand out?
Hybrid grape varieties: Grapes like Solaris, Rondo, Phoenix and Regent are used – chosen because they thrive in North Wales’ cooler, wetter climate.
Sustainability innovations: One of their most remarkable projects involves using sheep fleece as mulch under the vines. The fleece suppresses weeds, retains moisture, enriches the soil and even helps ripening.
Tourist-friendly: Tours run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with the option to pair tastings with a Welsh cheeseboard or a local grazing platter.
Award-winning wines: Their bottles have picked up national and international accolades.
Gareth’s Experience: Tasting, Talking & Learning
Last weekend, Walking Food Tours UK Founder & MD Gareth enjoyed a tour and wine tasting at Gwinllan Conwy.
From the moment he stepped into the vineyard, he could feel Colin and Charlotte’s passion: down-to-earth, deeply knowledgeable, and rooted in their love for Wales – not just the vine, but the local food, landscape and community.
On the tour, he learned how this patch of North Wales has a surprisingly suitable micro-climate for grape growing – and how, even in a place not typically known for wine, something extraordinary can flourish.
The tasting itself was a revelation. Highlights included:
A crisp white made from Solaris – fresh, aromatic, with a herbaceous character that felt like a tribute to Welsh summers.
A rosé-style wine – soft strawberry notes and gentle natural sweetness. (Gwinllan Conwy’s 2023 Pinot Noir Rosé, for example, shows off Pinot Noir and Regent grapes to excellent effect.)
A red made from Rondo – medium-bodied, smooth, with a touch of smoky oak and very easy to drink.
To top it off, the food platter was phenomenal: local Welsh cheese, charcuterie and seasonal produce – pairings that made the wines sing.
Why This Matters for Food Lovers & Wine Tourists
A true taste of place
Welsh wine isn’t just “wine made in Wales” – it reflects the unique terroir of North Wales: its soils, climate and even its farming traditions (hello, sheep fleece).Sustainable innovation
The work that Colin and Charlotte are doing is genuinely forward-thinking. Their fleece mulch is an eco-friendly solution that also improves vine health.Wine tourism done right
Gwinllan Conwy is not a stuffy estate. It’s warm, welcoming and accessible – ideal for foodies, wine lovers, day-trippers or anyone who’s simply curious.Supporting a growing industry
By visiting, tasting or buying Welsh wine, you’re helping the broader UK wine scene grow and thrive.
Your Invitation: Go Try It Yourself
If you’re in North Wales (or planning a trip), we can’t recommend a visit to Gwinllan Conwy enough. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed afternoon wine tasting, a local food pairing, or a vineyard walk with stories and scenery, you’ll find it there.
Gift vouchers are available too – a perfect treat for wine lovers, foodies, or someone who just deserves a lovely day out.
You can find out more and book directly via the Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard website.
Final Thought: Welsh Wine Is No Short Story
Welsh wine is more than a footnote in the British wine story – it’s part of the next chapter. Gwinllan Conwy, in particular, captures the spirit of that chapter: small-scale, brave, rooted in place and full of personality.
If you’ve never tried Welsh wine, or if you’ve only tasted a supermarket crowd-pleaser, a visit like Gareth’s will change how you think about UK wine.
Raise a glass to Wales. Sláinte/Iechyd da.
