Whinyards approach to making natural wine is regenerative and driven by low inputs, restoring soil health, stimulating microbial life and building plant immunity. They aim to enrich our environment and make vibrant wines, teeming with life, character and terroir.

Their wines are unfiltered, unfined and fermented with indigenous wild yeast. They reflect the wildness of the Welsh hills and are made in collaboration with organic winemaker Mark Smith at Black Mountain Vineyard in Herefordshire

The Welsh wine industry is a young but rapidly growing sector within the UK’s broader wine landscape. This climate, combined with the country’s varied soils—ranging from limestone-rich to sandy and clay—offers unique conditions for viticulture, albeit with some challenges.

Key grape varieties grown in Wales tend to be cool-climate hybrids and classic European grapes well-suited to the cooler conditions. Popular white varieties include Bacchus and Ortega, valued for their crisp acidity and aromatic qualities, alongside Seyval Blanc and Rondo, which are hardy and resistant to disease. For red wines, varieties like Regent and Pinot Noir are gaining traction due to their ability to ripen in shorter seasons and cooler climates.

The main wine-growing areas are concentrated in the south and southeast of Wales, where the climate is relatively milder. Despite the country’s success, viticultural challenges remain significant. The cool, damp climate increases the risk of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis. Additionally, the short growing season can limit grape ripening, making site selection and vineyard management crucial. Nevertheless, Welsh winemakers are increasingly mastering these conditions, producing vibrant, fresh wines that are carving out a growing reputation on the UK and international markets.

Rondo is a red grape variety widely grown in cool-climate regions, particularly in northern and central Europe, and has found a niche in the English wine industry. It is a hybrid grape, originally developed in Czechoslovakia, known for its early ripening and good resistance to common vine diseases, making it well-suited to the challenging conditions of the UK.

In England and Wales, Rondo is often planted in regions less ideal for traditional Vitis vinifera reds, such as East Anglia, the West Country, and parts of Wales, where it performs reliably even in cooler, shorter growing seasons. Its resilience to fungal diseases, including downy and powdery mildew, makes it attractive for low-intervention or organic viticulture.

Rondo produces deeply coloured wines with a rich, ruby hue. The aroma profile often includes dark berries such as blackberry and black cherry, along with earthy, smoky or spicy notes. While it can be quite full-bodied for a cool-climate red, careful winemaking is needed to manage its naturally high acidity and avoid overly herbal or green characteristics.

Though not always suited for premium single-varietal wines, Rondo is frequently used in blends or for rosé and still red wines, offering structure, colour and reliability in marginal climates.