THIS winter local wine enthusiasts can enjoy a new experience of English wine as Three Choirs wine makers lead walks into their vineyards offering a deeper insight into English wine than ever before.

Wine makers at the Gloucestershire-based vineyard near Newent, which provides easy travelling from all parts of Worcestershire, will explain the harvesting process with interesting detail - currently including pruning techniques and why they’re so vital to a good crop and healthy vines.

Guests then proceed to the winery for an explanation of the carefully selected wine making process plus the opportunity to view work in progress from this year’s harvest.

The tour climaxes with a wine tasting where English wine makers open up their knowledge of English wine and allow guests to leave with a better understanding of how to serve and drink different wines – a frequently asked question in the restaurant and on the daily tours.

Three Choirs chief winemaker Martin Fowke has twice been awarded UK winemaker of the year and has worked at vineyards around the globe, including Australia and New Zealand.

The tours began this month and continue to the end of March on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month and the price is £19.50 per person. The tours begin at 11.30am from the Three Choirs Vineyard Reception and it is advisable to pre-book. Groups are restricted to 12 visitors.

The Three Choirs, one of England’s leading single estate vineyards, also offers the opportunity for overnight stays or longer.

They have a total of 11 rooms, all beautifully appointed and situated in an idyllic location overlooking the vine clad valley or, in the case of the Lodge rooms, nestled amongst the vines.

As well as being able to explore their modern winery, stroll around the 75 acres of vines and learn how to create the highest quality grape with the knowledgeable wine makers, there is also the chance to visit other nearby tourist attractions such as Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Gloucester, and of course Newent.

And there is another ‘of course’ – as no tour wouldn’t be complete without sampling the deliciously mature wines the vineyard staff lovingly make.

The beauty does not stop there as you can follow the specially designed trail that takes you through and around the surrounding idyllic countryside. It is a haven for diverse wildlife from ladybirds to green woodpeckers and calming streams and ponds.

You can also take a seat in the vineyards restaurant and purchase the locally sourced food from Cotswold’s smoked salmon to wild mushrooms. This is the perfect treat after a day of exploration.

After spending the day taking in the blissful Cotswold landscape – especially during the summer months, you can relax in your tranquil room with king-sized beds. Your bed is placed in the ideal location so that you can enjoy the wonderful views around you. When you arise you will be treated to breakfast to complete your overnight stay.

Upon arrival you will be shown to your room so you have some time to settle in. The vineyard tour starts at 2.30pm and will last around a couple of hours.

For further details on bed and breakfast stays or with dinner added, visit www.three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk or telephone 01531 890223.