Swanaford was planted by Ben and Caroline Goulden in 2013 following a move from London, with the ambition of making great English sparkling and still wines. Having prepared the site, a crack team of laser-guided Germans drove in and planted every vine in a day. It seemed easy - until the crack team left and the really hard work began. With Viticulture qualifications in the bag, Ben and Caroline embarked on the vast and, at times, terrifying job of nurturing 10,000 plants into well-trained, highly productive vines. It's been a steep and rewarding learning curve and nine years later it feels like the vineyard is beginning to fly. In 2017 a bespoke tasting barn was built at Swanaford, creating an amazing space for the public to come and learn about the highs and lows of growing grapes in Devon - and to taste our wines! As we move forward, the plan is to collaborate with local food heroes, wine authorities and health experts to offer visitors a raft of experiences, from sit-down feasts to wellness weekends.