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Vineyard guide · Westow
Visiting Ryedale Vineyards
Ryedale is a family-run vineyard at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds near Malton, and one of the most northerly commercial vineyards in the country. Everything is done by hand, down to the labels, in a converted cow byre. Book a Friday or Saturday tour between April and October, and leave the children and the dog at home.
Ryedale Vineyards at a glance
| Known for | Hand-made wine from one of England’s most northerly commercial vineyards, and B&B in a 500-year-old farmhouse |
|---|---|
| Grapes | 18 varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus |
| Open | Cellar door Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm; closed Sunday and Monday. Phone before you come |
| Booking | Tours must be booked online; 2027 tours start in April |
| Tours from | £25 |
| Food | No café. Cream teas, served an hour before a tour, must be booked ahead |
| Dogs | No dogs on tours, or left in cars, apart from assistance dogs. Dogs on leads are allowed on event days |
| Children | Not allowed on tours; welcome at public events |
| Stay | B&B in the farmhouse on selected weekends, two rooms |
| By train | Malton, about seven miles away |
Checked on the vineyard’s own website in November 2026.
About Ryedale Vineyards
Ryedale Vineyards is a family business at Farfield Farm in Westow, at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, not far from Castle Howard. There are about 15,000 vines of 18 grape varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus among them, along with more than 120 heritage apple trees.
The vineyard was once the most northerly commercial vineyard in the UK and is still one of the furthest north. Growing that far up means a low-spray approach in the vines and a lot of handwork. Pruning, picking, pressing, fermenting, bottling and labelling are all done by hand, in a cow byre that has been turned into a winery.
The family also run a bed and breakfast in the farmhouse, which is about 500 years old. In 2019 Ryedale was voted one of the 12 best vineyards to visit and tour in England and Wales.
The wines
Ryedale sells a short list, and much of it sells out. The Dalesman is the long-standing sparkling wine, and Veering North and Charlie’s Leg sit alongside it at the same price. A case of the sparkling is also sold.
The red and the rosé (Strickland Red, Yorkshire’s Lass, Yorkshire’s Lad and Rosie) had sold out when we checked, so ask at the cellar door what is available. The cellar door sells cider as well as wine. Where to buy them.
Tours and tastings at Ryedale Vineyards
This is a working farm, not a visitor centre, and it shows. There’s no café, the cellar door is shut on Sundays and Mondays, and even on open days the family may be out in the fields, so ring before you call in to buy wine. Tours are the way to see it properly.
They run from April to the end of October, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays, and we’d book a cream tea for the hour before. Adults only, and no dogs, which is stricter than most.
The winery floor is rough cobbles with a stone step, so ask for a hand if you need it. Staying over makes the trip easier: B&B guests can add a 3pm tour on the day they arrive, on Fridays and Saturdays.
| Experience | Price | Length | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour and Tasting A short walk in the vineyard, then the winery and a tasting. A seat can be provided on the walk if you need one. Zero-alcohol wine, juice and soft drinks are available for non-drinkers. No children. Vouchers are sold in the online shop, including one for two with a bottle of sparkling wine. | £25 per person | – | Spring to the end of October, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays; 2027 tours start in April |
| Cream Tea Must be booked in advance. There is no café, so this is the only food on offer. | – | – | An hour before a tour |
Book these on the Ryedale Vineyards website.
Buy Ryedale Vineyards wines
None of our wine partners has these wines in stock this week. The vineyard sells them in its own shop, or see our pick of English wines to buy online.
Getting there
There is no public transport to the vineyard. Malton, about seven miles away, is the nearest station, and you should book a taxi from there in advance; do not drive after the tasting. The postcode covers several farms, so look for the first farm on the right on the road to Leavening, with two white signs at the farm track.
Make a day of it
Castle Howard is close by, and Malton is the nearest town. York is the city to base yourself in if you are not staying at the farm.
See every vineyard you can visit in our Yorkshire directory. Our other Yorkshire vineyard guides: Yorkshire Heart, Holmfirth.
Questions people ask
Can I bring children on the tour?
No. Tours are not suitable for children, though they are welcome at the vineyard’s public events.
Can I just turn up to buy wine?
The cellar door is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, but phone 01653 658 035 first, as the family may be working in the fields.
How much is the B&B?
The Pheasant room is £150 a night and the Fox is £220, on selected weekends. 2026 is fully booked; dates to the end of June 2027 can be booked now. Pets are not accommodated.