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Community at Dryhill

More than a Vineyard

At Dryhill, producing award-winning English sparkling wine is only part of our story.

We are passionate about sharing our knowledge, supporting our local community and caring for the beautiful Cotswold landscape we call home.

Whether through volunteering, education, sustainability or our vineyard tours, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the story behind the glass.

Community Volunteering

Every Wednesday morning we welcome volunteers to help care for the vineyard whilst learning the art and science of viticulture.

People join us from all walks of life. Some are passionate about wine, others simply enjoy being outdoors and learning something new. Together they have created a welcoming community that returns throughout the seasons.

Volunteering at Dryhill is about much more than tending vines - it's about sharing knowledge, building friendships and enjoying the Cotswold countryside.

Education & Learning

We are proud to work with local schools, colleges and universities, giving students the opportunity to gain practical experience in one of the UK's fastest-growing agricultural industries.

From vineyard management to sustainable farming, students discover the skills, teamwork and dedication required to produce exceptional English sparkling wine.

Several former students have gone on to careers in viticulture both in the UK and overseas.

Hear from our community

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"Volunteering at Dryhill provides a wonderfully unique opportunity for young people to work outdoors in a beautiful Cotswold setting, spend time in the natural environment and learn the art and science of viticulture: vines and their care, growth and management.

Under the care, guidance and direction of Nigel, who offers a warm, collaborative and nurturing learning environment, young volunteers develop knowledge and a crucially broad skillset to help them in their future aspirations, whatever those may be."

Roman roots

Someone once asked “What have the Romans ever done for us?” At Dryhill the answer is clear.

Dryhill is located on land which formed part of an ancient Roman 'Villa Rustica' an agricultural villa dating back to the time of the Emporers Constantine and Valentine. The Romans carved out the terraces on which our vineyard now stands.

As recently as March 2023 we discovered yet another Roman coin from the period of Constantine I.

Fine Champagne...
or a glass of Gloucester?

The house at Dryhill dates back to the early 17th Century and it was a place of hospitality on an ancient drovers trail which runs nearby.

Around the same time in 1615 King James I decreed to the local glassmakers that no English oak trees should be felled in the Forest of Dean a place which is clearly visible from Dryhill. The purpose of the King's ban was to preserve the mighty oak forest for building his ships for the Royal Navy.

Thus the local glassmakers were forced to use coal which was abundant in the forest to fire their furnaces. At this time they were manufacturing glass bottles for the nearby cider industry and the impurities from the coal created a very dark but very strong bottle which allowed the production of sparkling cider for the first time. These bottles featured an indentation in the bottom and a 'string rim' for securing the cork just like modern day Champagne bottles.

To celebrate the memory of these local glass makers Dryhill has selected a very dark coloured glass bottle of similar shape and colour to the 17th century bottles.

This local technology was eventually protected by the Royal Society in London … around 30 years before Dom Perignon created his sparkling wine in the Champagne area of France.

Some say that our county of Gloucestershire had a pivotal role in the evolution of the Champagne sparkling wine we know today.