New Tasting Experience and Meeting Space Near Bristol

The Failand based organic winery and natural cider producer Wild West Wine and Cider, have launched their new tour and tasting experiences for visitors interested in learning more about low-intervention cider and wine production.

Located in a secluded vineyard and orchard, less than a 10-minute drive from Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, tours are offered each Wednesday and Sunday starting from Wednesday 7 May 2025. 

Over a 90-minute tour, visitors will be invited to explore the world of natural wine and cider making, enjoying a tour of the orchards and vineyards to understand the journey the organically grown apples and grapes make from vine to vintage and tree to tipple.

They will be guided by owners and founders Matt Stephenson or Sean Beaton, who will explain Wild West’s process for creating wine and cider the traditional way, as it has been made for thousands of years, using naturally occurring yeasts and without the addition of sulphites or other additives. The tours include:

• A walk to the vineyard to learn about the trials and tribulations of establishing an organic vineyard. Learn about the stages of the growing season and the tasks involved in managing a vineyard.  
• Explore the orchards to learn about their management from pruning to harvest, before returning to the winery and cidery to learn about fruit processing and fermentation. Depending on the time of year there will be the chance to get hands-on, from disgorging bottles to removing sediment to checking sugar levels and even pressing. 
• The tour finishes with the chance to enjoy some samples paired with local cheeses with a guided tasting, giving guests the story behind each tipple. Of course, there’s the opportunity to purchase some ‘carry outs’ before departing. 

Visitors will experience the unique Wild West atmosphere inspired by the name, process, and passion behind the brand.

“Our journey started by accident.  My partner Philipa and I moved to the farm in 2016, having not seen much of each other during the previous 30 years of long commutes and office politics.   Determined to become farmers, we recklessly decided to plant a vineyard on the mistaken idea that growing grapes would be less hard work than tending sheep.  We planted 3,200 vines over two years.   Our first small harvest was due in 2020 but was scuppered by the hardest spring frost in 40 years.  A few weeks later we were contacted by a local apple grower who told us his apple harvest was going spare and wondered if we could make use of it.  Our reaction was yes. And the rest is history,” says Matt Stephenson, co-founder of Wild West Cider. “Sean, our son-in-law moved down to join us with our daughter Molly during lockdown and never left!  We’re excited to share our journey leading up to where we are today and how we make our award winning cider.  We are also extremely excited to share the very first of our home-grown natural wine with our guests.  We are all about making great, low intervention drinks, enjoying good company and having some Wild West fun.”

Whether visitors are seasoned cider lovers, wine connoisseurs, or just looking for a fun day out, the new tours and tastings offer an authentic taste of the West Country’s rich cider-making heritage and a glimpse into natural cider and wine production.  This is on the rise in the UK, driven by a growing appetite for low-intervention methods and a deeper connection to the land among both winemakers and drinkers.

Book Your Wild West Wine & Cider Experience

The Wild West Wine and Cider Experiences will launch from 7 May 2025 priced at £20 per adult.

New Corporate Meeting Space and Away Day Experiences 

Alongside the wine and cider tours, a new facility has been unveiled called Flagstone Lodge. Originally an agricultural building and formerly an annex for guests to the main private house. The Lodge is a beautiful stone building set in private gardens, with a large open-plan barn-style main room, which is the perfect space for private meetings or training for up to 30 people.  

With flexible seating arrangements, tea and coffee on tap, as well as a commercial-grade kitchen, the Lodge is ideal for both focused work and relaxed conversation. 

Corporate event organisers can enjoy a special introductory rate of £200 + VAT per half-day booking of the Flagstone Lodge (regular price £250) for anyone who books before 10 May 2025.

Find out more by visiting www.wildwestcider.co.uk or follow the conversations on Instagram @wildwestcider.