1. Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan
Lovely Llanerch, a secluded spot in the Vale of Glamorgan, produces 10,000 bottles of wine per year – and it's famed for its award-winning Cariad Wine. Cariad means 'sweetheart' or 'love' in Welsh, and when you set foot in its leafy vineyard and small-yet-stylish hotel you'll see why so many have fallen for its charms. Add in a glass of its sparking blush – a sweet, strawberry-scented tipple – and you'll be head over heels too.
Stay overnight in its cosy hotel, or book lunch, dinner or afternoon tea with a vineyard tour. Every October, the vineyard invites volunteers to help with its grape harvest – you'll be rewarded with food, entertainment by a local band, and a few glasses of wine, of course...
2. Ancre Hill Estates, Monmouth
In the undulating Wye Valley, with the famous Brecon Beacon mountains to the north, Ancre Hill's organic vineyard occupies a beautiful spot – 12 hectares of symmetrical vine rows, fringed with wild woodland and rolling fields.The first phase of the vineyard was only planted in 2006, so it's continually evolving its wines. For now, the most popular bottles are its sparkling Cremants – wines produced in the Champenoise style, aged for a minimum of 2 years.
Vineyard tours, tastings and lunch by appointment. There's a three-bedroom cottage on-site too; guests get a free bottle plus a discount throughout their stay.
3. Cwm Deri Vineyard, Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire's rich soil lends itself to growing great produce, and the evidence is in Cwm Deri's shop – it's full of locally-made chutneys, jams and cheeses, as well as a vast range of wines, liqueurs, port and mead from its namesake vineyard.
Cwm Deri produces 30,000 bottles of wine and liqueurs every year, and you can taste the fruits of its labours of a tour of the estate. If you fancy making a weekend of it, pitch your tent (or book a caravan) in the secluded camping area – perfect for stumbling to bed after wine tasting and dinner in the superb onsite restaurant.
4. Glyndŵr Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan
This rambling estate is home to Wales's oldest vineyard – here you'll find over 6,000 mature vines, basking in the gentle sunshine (and abundant rain) of the Vale of Glamorgan. If you've dined in any well-heeled restaurants in the local area, chances are you'll have already sipped one of Glyndŵr Vineyard's fruity tipples – they're served in hotels, restaurants and posh delis all over Wales.
When you've finished quaffing award-winning wines and touring the picturesque vineyards, tuck into a ploughman's lunch, stroll through the gardens, and meet the herd of friendly resident llamas. There's also a self-catering cottage nearby, where you can retire with a bottle (or two) of very locally-produced wine.
5. Sugarloaf Vineyards, Monmouthshire
Slurp your way through four varieties of white wine, plus a special blend of red wine and sparking wine, at the friendly Sugarloaf Vineyards. You can wander around the pretty grounds on the self-guided Vineyard Trail, or book onto a tour – then get stuck into that all-important tasting session while you take in the view of Sugarloaf Mountain.
There are holiday cottages on site too, and you'll get a free bottle of wine when you check in. This is a picturesque base for exploring the Brecons, Crickhowell and Abergavenny – an area that excels in outdoor activities, walking trails, and fine locally-produced food.
6. Jabajak Vineyard, Carmarthenshire
With its five-star restaurant, swanky hotel and endless countryside views, Jabajak Vineyard is one of Wales's poshest winery boltholes – well-suited for romantic weekends and boozy family knees-ups (it's licensed for weddings and baby-naming ceremonies).
Jabajak is a family-run business, and the estate itself has a fascinating history (ask about its connections to Washington's White House). Book a table in its cosy barn restaurant and feast on salt marsh Welsh lamb (mmmm...), then sneak off to one of the 10 en suite rooms with a bottle and two glasses.
