Welcome to the Devon Wine Week web site. Devon now has close to 30 vineyards, many planted in the last few years as the English wine boom has gathered pace. It's estimated Devon wines have already captured 1% of the wine market in their home region. The Exeter area is a particular hotspot - many vineyards are as yet too new to take part in the Wine Week, but Yearlstone, Pebblebed, Manstree, Sharpham, Kenton, Old Walls, Willhayne and Summermoor vineyards have joined together to promote their regional wines and to celebrate Devon's local food and wine culture, in what's believed to be the biggest regional celebration of English Wine Week. Yearlstone Vineyard near Bickleigh has just been named Fastest Improving Vineyard in England in the presitigious Wine Report 2008. Sharpham Vineyard near Totnes is now selling in excess of 100,000 bottles a year. Kenton Vineyard near Exeter sold out its first vintage rapidly and is producing some excellent English reds. Pebblebed Vineyard near Topsham won a Gold Medal with its first rosé at the English & Welsh Wine of the Year competition. Old Walls, Manstree and others are also making waves in the English wine world.

Over the week, there will be something taking place every single day, at the vineyards and participating outlets. A host of different activitites, both informative and entertaining, are being laid on for your enjoyment, giving a wide range of opportunities to get to know these many award-winning wines better, and really see just how versatile and delicious they are. For example, following the 2007 Challenge where Devon wines took on the best from New Zealand, the main event of this year's Devon Wine Week will be "Devon's Sparkling Wines vs Champagne" on Wednesday 28th May hosted by Master of Wine Alastair Peebles at the Devon Wine School in Cheriton Fitzpaine, judged to professional standards by some of the top names in the profession.

We hope you'll find something to interest you in the programme - please e-mail info@devonwineweek.co.uk with any queries. Most of the events require booking, so please contact the organising vineyard directly well in advance and sign up.

The Devon Wine Week is organised by Roger and Juliet White of Yearlstone Vineyard, www.yearlstone.co.uk and is generously supported by many organisations, including: Food from Britain, Exeter City Council, Mid Devon District Council, Devon County Council, www.englishwineproducers.com and www.discoverdevon.com