Warden Abbey Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting

Walter Espec, Lord of Wardone, founded Warden Abbey on top of the Greensand Ridge in 1135, and the monastery was populated by an Abbot and 12 Monks who cultivated 40 acres of vineyard up to the end of the 12th Century. There is no evidence of grape growing after the Monastery was surrendered to the Crown in 1537 until Lady Whitbread replanted part of the Vineyard in 1986. Then in 2010 the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity leased the vineyard, and run it today.
We will be treated to a 1.5 to 2 hour tour which includes a walk and talk around the vineyard discussing the history of the vineyard from its medieval origins to modern times, the varieties of vines and their care, the challenges of growing vines in our climate and the modern English wine industry, as well as the community vineyard project. The tour finishes with a wine tasting and the opportunity to purchase wine.
Access to the vineyard is via a narrow track, which can be navigated by car, from the Bedford Road post code SG18 9LS. The nearest village is Old Warden and Bedford Road runs from just outside the village towards Cardington.
Meet in the car park no later than 10.45 for the tour at 11.00.
The price per person for the tour and wine tasting is £14 per person for LALG members and £16 for non members. Numbers are limited to 25. Payment is on line from 1st May and the deadline for booking is Monday 23rd May.