I stayed at one of England's oldest vineyards tucked in the Cotswolds with wine tours and cosy rooms
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AS romantic breaks go, it was off to a grand start.
My partner and I were working our way through a 'flight' of five wines each, in extremely generous measures, for a bargain £20.
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A weekend stay at Three Choirs Vineyard, tucked away in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds was ideal for a romantic break
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During the wine-tasting guests can learn all about the work that goes into making the bottles
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Glass-fronted lodges in the middle of the vineyard set the scene for a relaxed getaway
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No, we were not in a Wetherspoon. We'd arrived for a weekend stay at Three Choirs Vineyard, tucked away in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, and were enjoying a wine-tasting session on the restaurant terrace.
Taking in the view of the winery's 75 acres in the afternoon sunshine, we worked our way through ten of the 12 stunning wines they produce.
And not only were they stunning, but surprisingly affordable, too.
Prices range from £38 for a bottle of their refreshing Blanc de Blancs fizz, down to £11.50 for tasty dry white Coleridge Hill.
But for me, the Bacchus (peach, lime, delicate herbal notes) won first prize.
Meanwhile, my partner Rebecca was partial to the Siegerrebe (lychee, grapefruit, long spicy finish). Which, of course, meant there was a battle to be had in the restaurant later that night.
But before that, there was time to freshen up in our spacious Vineyard View room, with its huge walk-in shower and comfy bed.
Our room also had a south-facing patio, just a stone's throw from the all-important vines, where we could chill out and enjoy the stunning views.
The vineyard is one of England's oldest – the first vines were planted in 1973, with a restaurant and accommodation being added later.
Hidden among the Seyval Blanc grapes, about five minutes walk from the brasserie, are three glass-fronted lodges.
Inside the coolest new place to stay in the Cotswolds
Costing a little more than the regular rooms, they are perfect for guests looking for an added bit of seclusion, with verandas on two sides so you can enjoy the scenery from different angles.
Guests at Three Choirs are encouraged to explore the grounds, and can expect to see hares darting about and hawks prowling overhead.
As well as 'self-guided' tastings and vineyard walks, guided tours are available.
During these 90-minute sessions, you learn about all the work that goes into making a bottle of plonk, then you get to enjoy five wines with a food pairing.
Annual harvest
And between mid-September and mid-October, guests have the added pleasure of being there for the annual harvest – though I'm told you are not allowed to help, no matter how keen.
After Rebecca and I had enjoyed a stroll up to the Pinot Noir grapes (they give you a map so you know which vines are which), we made our way for dinner on the twinkling terrace.
The delightful menu included small plates of baked camembert and roasted salmon in orzo pasta.
And, yes, I let Rebecca choose the wine. Who said romance is dead?
GO: Cotswolds
GO: Vineyard View rooms cost from £149 per night (room only). Lodges cost from £169 per night.
Wine tastings cost from £20pp; guided tours with a wine tasting cost from £38pp.
For more information, see three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk.
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