Two nights vineyard glamping with winery tour, tastings and lunch

Two nights glamping for 2 adults (Friday and Saturday) in our giant wine barrels with a tour, tasting and lunch on the Saturday morning and lunchtime. The barrels include a double sleeping platform, benches and table with a veranda seat overlooking rural views to Melbury Hill and the Melbury Vale vineyard. Each barrel has its own brazier, if you want to sit out and watch the stars next to a real fire! Each barrel sleep two and there are only three available, meaning with six in total you can keep it low key and private. There is a fully fitted out shared kitchen in our gypsy kitchen trailer and wet room showers and toilets inside the winery with piping hot water. There is also a shared picnic BBQ area with picnic benches and tables, perfect for a couples quiet getaway; or a small private group of friends.

The winery tour starts at 10.30 a.m. with owner, winemaker and distiller, Clare; allowing you time for a leisurely breakfast. The tour comprises a vineyard walk, a wine-making talk in the vat room, tasting of 3 wines; followed by a local produce ploughman's lunch including a top up glass of your favourite wine. The tour ends with the opportunity to buy wines around 1.15pm.

Day 1

Arrive on a Friday afternoon from 2pm onwards and settle into your glamping barrel overlooking Melbury hill, or pop into historic Shaftesbury, just a mile or so up the hill, for supplies and a wander around the abbey ruins. See the beautiful views over the Vale and down the famous cobbled Gold Hill, with a selection of shops and cafes to enjoy. Return to enjoy a glass of chilled Melbury Vale wine whilst you prepare to cook out and star gaze, listen to the soothing sound of the River Stirkel flowing quietly below you,.

Day 2

Following a leisurely start to the morning, your tour begins at 10.30am at the winery, with owner, wine-maker and distiller, Clare. Commencing with a stroll through the vineyard and a little history around Melbury Vale; then back to the winery to learn about the wine-making process and our low intervention wines, whilst tasting a few before lunch. Lunch is a local produce Ploughman's lunch with delicious cheeses, melt in your mouth ham and tasty chutneys and fresh crusty bread and butter, with a top up glass of your favourite wine to round off the morning. You then have the opportunity to buy wines.... and the afternoon is your own. Take a walk to the top of Melbury Hill for fantastic panoramic views, or visit local attractions before coming back to enjoy a relaxed and peaceful evening with your winery purchases ..... watch out for the deer skipping through at sunset or maybe light a real fire in the brazier outside your barrel to stay cosy and listen out for owls! 

• With two nights to enjoy the stunning scenery and tranquility of the vineyard, it's perfect for a quick couple getaway or small private group of friends.

• Enjoy a tour, talk, tasting of three wines, local lunch, top up glass and opportunity to buy your own!

Equipment needed: There is no power connected to the glamping barrels, so no lights nor heating. External lighting is prohibited in this rural area to protect the Dark Skies status, so please bring a torch and means of keeping warm at night with you. The glamping barrel contains a bed platform, but you will need to bring all bedding, pillows and any form of sleeping mattress ie thermo-rest, airbed (and means to inflate it). Please also bring your own toiletries and towels.

Equipment provided: Our shared kitchen trailer includes cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils, along with a kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge, cold box and single halogen hob ring. There are electrical sockets in the trailer where you can charge phones etc.

Weather: Will often go ahead in most weathers but may be cancelled in certain weather circumstances.

Food & Drink: Please bring food and drink which you may use the kitchen to prepare as the only food provided is the ploughman's lunch on the tour. 

Cancellations: Winery Tours: Visitors must be 18 or over with a valid ID for alcohol purchases. You have the right to cancel your purchase with a full refund within 14 days of purchase unless tour voucher has already been redeemed. Tickets expire 12 months from purchase. Any tour cancellations or booking amendments must be outside of 72 hours of the booked date or full charges will be applied.

Glamping: Visitors must be 18 or over. You have the right to cancel your glamping booking with a full refund up to 14 clear days before the date of your booking or full charges will be applied.

Parking: Available on site