Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/4-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65610" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/4-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/4-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/4-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/4-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Deep in the Worcestershire countryside there&#8217;s a family-run vineyard giving Bordeaux a run for its euros. Planted in 1971, <a href="https://astleyvineyard.co.uk/">Astley Vineyard</a> is one of the oldest vineyards in the UK, you&#8217;ll find it squirrelled away in the beautiful Severn Valley, 10 miles north of Worcester. </p>



<p>The small team produces award-winning wine, have a cosy cellar door shop, and host acclaimed vineyard tours.</p>



<p>Time to pop our Astley cork and chat to Chris Haywood, one of the chief winemakers here. He&#8217;s also been picked as one of <a href="https://visitworcestershire.org/taste-worcestershire">Taste Worcestershire&#8217;s</a> food heroes &#8211; a mighty foodie festival running from 7 &#8211; 27 October celebrating the county&#8217;s award-winning food and drink scene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-a-little-bit-about-you">Tell us a little bit about you?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="653" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/5-4-1000x653.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65619" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/5-4-1000x653.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/5-4-800x523.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/5-4-400x261.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/5-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Astley Vineyard is a family affair</figcaption></figure>



<p>I grew up in Worcestershire and spent my youth trying to make it in the music industry. I pursued this career in London for a few years but then decided to change industry in line with my other passion which was food and drink. </p>



<p>I learned the basics selling brownies at a local market, but then quickly (and luckily) moved to a role at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. I started working in the food hall, but when I saw their wine shop, I knew that that was where I wanted to be. </p>



<p>Once I moved across, everything seemed to suddenly click for me, and I delved headfirst into the world of wine and alcohol. However, London life didn’t suit me, so when my parents informed me that they were interested in buying a vineyard, we all jumped into the project together and the rest is history!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-why-astley-we-re-intrigued">So, why Astley, we&#8217;re intrigued!</h2>



<p>Well, I wish it was something to do with Rick Astley! We’ve tried to get him here multiple times! But we’re simply named after the village outside of Stourport.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-this-area-of-worcs-top-wine-country">What makes this area of Worcs top wine country?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/1-15-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65611" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/1-15-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/1-15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/1-15-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/1-15.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-"> </h2>



<p>The easiest explanation is that this is where our vineyard was planted 53 years ago! We live on site which makes managing the vines and the business very convenient. In terms of the vineyard, we’re luckily on a great site. </p>



<p>Our sandy soil provides great drainage, our aspect of the Severn Valley gives us great airflow, and the adjoining valley keeps away frost and stagnant air. As one of the oldest vineyards in the country, there must be something right about our site for us to still be here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sum-up-the-vineyard-to-anyone-who-s-never-heard-of-you">Sum up the vineyard to anyone who&#8217;s never heard of you?</h2>



<p>We are a friendly, approachable, but knowledgeable family business who make a range of white, sparkling, and experimental wine. We do everything from grape to glass – grow the vines, make the wine, and sell it from our shop. Our award-winning vineyard tours are one of the main draws of business; introducing visitors into everything there is to know about wine in a fun and friendly way. </p>



<p>We also recently opened two shepherd huts so that our customers can stay with us if they’re coming from further afield or simply don’t want to worry about make their way home! We’re based just outside of Stourport, and we are open every Friday to Sunday.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-we-crack-open-an-astley-wine-on-our-friday-night">Why should we crack open an Astley wine on our Friday night?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="733" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/7-1000x733.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/7-1000x733.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/7-800x587.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/7-400x293.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<p>Several things make us stand out. We have some of the oldest vines in the country and we are one of just four English Vineyards on the global Old Vine Registry. We grow ‘Kerner’ (related to Riesling), and we are the only vineyard in the UK to do so commercially. We make both traditional and experimental wines such as our Piquette and our Vermouth, and our vineyard tours are well established, offering an education but fun filled experience for visitors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-favourite-astley-tipple">What’s your favourite Astley tipple?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/2-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/2-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/2-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/2-4-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/2-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Each release means something different to me, so I don’t really have a favourite. I love it when people enjoy our “classics” – Severn Vale &amp; Freya – but I also love it when people enjoy our more niche releases, like our Sauvignon Blanc and our unusually aromatic rose Branwen. And of course, I love it when our wines get into Michelin starred restaurants, such as our <a href="https://astleyvineyard.co.uk/product/old-vine-kerner/">Old Vine Kerner</a> (above).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-in-your-awards-cabinet">What&#8217;s in your awards cabinet?</h2>



<p>We are very proud to be producing award winning wine and of our multiple award wins. Highlights include <em>Visit Worcestershire’s</em> &#8216;Winner of Winners&#8217;, &#8216;Ethical, Responsible &amp; Sustainable Business of the Year&#8217; 2023/24 and &#8216;Visitor Experience of the Year&#8217; 2021/22. And, <em>Conde Nast World Traveller</em> – &#8216;The Best Vineyards to Visit in England &amp; Wales 2021&#8217;. </p>



<p>We&#8217;ve also won several industry awards such as International Wine Challenge (Bronze), Independent English Wine Awards (Silver) and Wine GB West Awards (Bronze).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-the-future-hold">What does the future hold?</h2>



<p>Harvest is about to be upon us, so we’ll be looking at what, if any, new and experimental wines to create. We are also about to release our new wines from 2023 and perhaps the most exciting of these is our Pinot Noir – imagine a super light, refreshing red, or quite a dark rose. It’s lovely (I’m not biased!)</p>



<p>Our shepherd huts will also be settling in and getting their footing. We’ve had our first guests already, and we’re excited to see how they are received by visitors.</p>



<p>And is it too early to mention the festive C word? It always comes round quicker than you think at this time of year and it’s a really busy time for us.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/3-5-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65613" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/3-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/3-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/3-5-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/3-5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-your-favourite-food-of-all-time">What is your favourite food of all time?</h2>



<p>I love variety more than anything. I adore Lao Gan Ma and cook a lot of Asian food. We also have a lot of Finnish inspired food because of my wife. But really, I just love eating and drinking in general.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-keep-up-with-the-latest-food-trends">How do you keep up with the latest food trends?</h2>



<p>It’s not about keeping up with trends for me but looking for things that inspire me. TikTok and Instagram are my main sources for this, but I tend to pick things up from everywhere to be honest. I love to try new things in the kitchen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-motivates-you">What motivates you?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="717" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/9-1000x717.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/9-1000x717.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/9-800x573.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/9-400x287.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/10/9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ultimately my passion for food &amp; drink inspires everything I do. When I taste something great, I feel inspired to try to recreate it myself. When you combine the desire to create something amazing with a passion for sharing and educating, I find it hard to stop sharing my latest passion project and experiences with others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-come-up-with-new-product-brainwaves">How do you come up with new product brainwaves?</h2>



<p>Keeping an eye on the wine industry gives me a lot of inspiration. Things can become stale if you live in a vacuum, so when I see something new or unusual, I try to imagine how I would attempt it myself. </p>



<p>I feel very lucky to live and work in such a stunning setting and I genuinely love what I do. Worcestershire’s food and drink scene is thriving, and we are so proud to be part of that &#8211; and be named a hero in the <em>Taste of Worcestershire</em> campaign!</p>



<p><strong>For more info head to <a href="https://astleyvineyard.co.uk/">Astley Vineyard</a>, find it at Crundles Lane, Astley, Stourport on Severn, Worcs, DY13 0RU</strong>.<strong> Head to <a href="https://visitworcestershire.org/taste-worcestershire">Taste Worcestershire </a>for a full round up of events this month.</strong></p>


Muddy meets: Chris Haywood of Astley Vineyard

You may also like