South East Wales
Apple County Cider Co, Newcastle, near Monmouth
Apple County Cider produce premium award winning single variety ciders made from 100 per cent apple juice produced and crafted with expertise on the farm in Monmouthshire. Cider tasting tours can be booked in advance where visitors can take a guided walk around the orchard, visit the barn where the cider is produced before tasting the cider.
Glyndwr Vineyard, Cowbridge
Established in 1979, the vineyard is the oldest in Wales. Situated in the Vale of Glamorgan, the family run estate has a menagerie of wild birds roaming around and also adjoining gardens to enjoy. Group tours (maximum size 50) last around 2hr, which includes a meal, dessert and wine. Vouchers can be bought on line which can be used on selected dates only. Coaches can be accommodated.
Hensol Castle Distillery, Hensol, near Pontyclun
Gin tours are offered for up to 25 guests which includes a guided tour of Hensol Castle and a look around the sensory botanic room, as well as gin tasting. Booking is essential with a ten per cent discount for groups. Parking is available for coaches.
Kingstone Brewery, Tintern
This four barrel micro-brewery produces beer using traditional recipies. They offer a tour which includes tasting for up to 20 visitors. They also hold brew days for a maximum of six where guests can brew beer and have lunch. There is no access for coaches but there is room for a minibus to park on-site.
Meadow View Vineyard, Cowbridge
Gwin y Fro (wine of the Vale) is produced from grapes grown at the family-run vineyard with the help of rich clay loams. Vineyard tours are available by appointment only.
Parva Farm Vineyard, Tintern
The vineyard dates back to 1979 but after sadly being neglected, it was brought back to life in 1996 by it's current owners. It now contains 17 different varieties of vines. See the website for details of self guided and guided tours. Booking in advance is essential for large groups. Only mini buses and small coaches can be accommodated on site.
Penderyn Brecon Beacons Distillery, near Aberdare
A visit to the distillery is an opportunity to taste the finest Welsh whisky money can by. Like Welsh gold, Penderyn Single Malt Whisky is so rare that it has to be on strict allocation to markets outside Wales. It is one of the finest and most delicate malt whiskies available.
The visitor centre offers tours of the distillery seven days a week up to a maximum group size of 20 at any one time. The tour takes approximately 1hr. The distillery also offers master class whisky tasting for true whisky enthusiasts. This tour takes approximately 2hr 30min and involves a guided tour where guests will see the still room and shop floor and have the opportunity to taste a range of Penderyn Single Malt Whiskies. Guests must be aged over 16. There is no wheelchair access to the distillery and sensible footwear is required to be worn at all times.
Penderyn also offer a range of evening and corporate/premium distillery tours by appointment only and available for groups of between 10 to 20 people. There are two dedicated coach parking bays on site.
Rhymney Brewery, Blaenavon
Located in the World Heritage site of Blaenavon, the visitor centre provides information on the brewing process of real ales. Plenty of parking is available for coaches.
Silver Circle Distillery, Catbrook, near Tintern
Set in the beautiful countryside, deep in the heart of Wye Valley's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, they offer distillery tours for up to 30 guests, where everything from distilling to bottling is made by hand. Visitors will learn about the process of making gin and the locally foraged botanicals that go into their Wye Valley Gin. There is also an opportunity to taste different products, some of which are only available at the distillery's own shop. Cocktail masterclasses and make your own gin experiences is also offered. Coach parking is available on-site and group discounts are offered. Booking is recommended for larger groups.
Spirit of Wales Distillery, Newport
The distillery produces spirits including Steeltown contemporary dry and blueberry gin, White rum, anthracite filtered Welsh vodka and a range of curiosity Dragon's Breath spirits. Your clients can join a 1hr guided distillery tour which is available Monday to Saturday or if they prefer they can make their own unique gin or rum which is available for individuals, couples or groups and takes 2-3hr. Tasting evenings are also available on selected Friday evenings and they can also create a bespoke tour or event to suit your needs on request. Coach parking is available.
The Sugar Loaf Vineyards, Abergavenny
The five acre vineyard is situated on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park at the bottom of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. The location means the vineyard enjoys panoramic views over the Usk Valley. Seven variety of grapes are used to produce 'Quality Status' wine. Self guided tours are available daily. Pre-booked guided evening tours can also be offered.
Vale Gin Trail
Travel around South East Wales on a trail which includes gin making and tasting experiences. Visit Bont Gin of Cowbridge, Craft Republic in Barry, Gin 64 in Penarth and the award winning Hensol Castle Distillery.
White Castle Vineyard, Llanvetherine, near Abergavenny
The family-run vineyard is set on five acres of land close to Monmouth and Abergavenny. Set on a south facing slope for ideal grape growing conditions, visitors are welcome to enjoy tours and wine tasting. Cheese tasting and group tours of between 10 to 40 guest can be arranged with prior notice. There is suitable parking for coaches.
South West Wales
Coles Distillery, Llanddarog, near Carmarthen
A family-run distillery in the ancient village of Llanddarog which provides ample parking for coaches. Large groups can be accommodated which are split into smaller groups of 30 for tours. Group discounts are available. The tour starts with an introduction of how the distillery began and what makes it different to any other. Guests will get to taste and smell the ingredients that are used to make the award-winning spirits. The tour continues to the distillery where on the upper floor, the whole process from mashing in the grain to make whisky or weighing the ingredients to make Coles Carmarthen Gin can be seen. It finishes in the bar of the White Hart Inn, which dates back to 1371 where spirits can be sampled. The tour lasts for over 1hr. A lunch stop can be included at the pub.
Cygnet Gin, Swansea
The distillery provides a guided tour where secrets of blending and mixing the herbs and spices which make the gin will be revealed. The tour also includes how the gin is bottled and reaches the shelves for retail. Be greeted at Juniper Place with a cocktail before embarking on the tour and tasting of three different gins. There is also a package to include a two course meal. A discount of 20 per cent off products from the Cygnet range is also provided. The tour lasts around 2hr 30min. There is a coach drop off point on Victoria Road, a 4min walk away.
Gower Brewery, Swansea
Established in 2011, the brewery ensures they use high quality ingredients and old fashioned, traditional methods at the highest standard. Brewery tours last for an hour and must be booked in advance. They take place late afternoon on Friday and can accommodate between 10 to 20 guests. There is no parking on site but the brewery is based at the bottom of Crofty Industrial Estate with plenty of parking on the road for coaches and minibuses.
Gwaun Valley Brewery, near Fishguard
The Gwaun Valley Brewery was set up in 2009 in an old granary, where there is an idyllic setting overlooking the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire. The farm has a natural spring water and this is used to make the beer. On brewing day, your clients can see the brewers at work, smell the malted barley and hops and enjoy a tasting.
Harbwr Tenby Harbour Brewery, Tenby
The brewery offers a Hops and Hywel tour which also features a taster session. Groups up to 40 can be accommodated. Booking by prior arrangement is essential. It also adjoins their CAMRA award-winning pub. The tap room serves its own beers, a gin menu, a guest real ale and cider menu and locally sourced food which is also available for private hire. It is located in the picturesque seaside town of Tenby, a stones throw away from the harbour, town and beaches. Coach parking is available at North Beach and Salterns car parks.
Jabajak Vineyard, Whitland
Located on the edge of the bluestone mountain range, the once working farm and cowsheds were converted and restored into a restaurant and function room set within the vineyard. Self guided, guided and bespoke tours for up to 50 guests are offered which include tasting sessions. And clients will be able to find out the history and connection of the vineyard to the White House in the USA. There is suitable parking for coaches.
Penderyn Swansea Copperworks Distillery, Swansea
Located at the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site which is being developed to become a major heritage and tourism attraction, the distillery is the third site in Wales. They have transformed the derelict powerhouse and clockhouse into a magnificent building. Take a tour of the award-winning whisky distillery which includes a walk through the 'copper tunnel', reflecting the history of copper smelting. The tour ends with samples of the products at the Tasting Bar. Masterclasses are also available. There is a shop and exhibition area on site.
Tomos Watkin Brewery, Swansea
The ingredients used in this brewery are specifically chosen to give each beer its own distinct character. Tours of a minimum of 12 people and maximum of 25 are available by appointment. The 3hr tour includes a 30min guided tour of the brewery followed by a tasting session and buffet. There is parking available for coaches.
Velfrey Vineyard, near Narberth
Located in idyllic sloping surrounds, the vineyard has 4,000 vines. Group tours for up to 20 clients are available on Thursday and Saturday throughout the growing season and prior to harvest time. Pre-booking is recommended. The guided tour includes a presentation and tasting, and there is also an option to book a grazing board with the tour (for up to 18). Afternoon tea is also available on selected Saturdays, and booking is essential.
Search for Visit Wales graded accommodation in South West Wales.
Visit Vineyards of Wales' website for more information on vineyards.
