Helme Edge Vineyard

Hen Parties!

Tom Smith — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:43:18 +0000

Hen Parties!

If you’re searching for a hen party venue in West Yorkshire that feels special, Helme Edge Vineyard offers a celebration with real character. Our family-run vineyard near Holmfirth and Huddersfield sits on the scenic slopes of the Pennines, overlooking the historic village of Helme, and provides a beautiful countryside setting for unforgettable celebrations. Many groups come to us looking for unique hen party ideas in Yorkshire that move away from crowded bars and late-night clubs, and a relaxed vineyard hen party with wine tasting quickly becomes the highlight of the weekend. Guests are welcomed by the very people who grow the grapes, guided through tastings of English sparkling and still wines, and invited to settle in among the vines for a celebration that feels personal, warm, and truly memorable.

One of our favourite hen party moments perfectly captures the atmosphere here at Helme Edge Vineyard. A bride once arrived with her friends having no idea what had been planned for her day. As the car pulled up and she stepped out, she looked across the vineyard stretching along the hillside and simply burst into tears of joy. She had expected a typical hen activity, but instead found herself surrounded by vines, countryside views, and a table set for wine tasting with her closest friends. It’s moments like these that make hen parties at a Yorkshire vineyard so special. Our West Yorkshire vineyard tours and tastings offer the perfect mix of relaxed celebration, stunning scenery, and exceptional local wine, whether you’re planning a hen do near Huddersfield, a boutique hen party near Holmfirth, or a memorable countryside hen weekend in Yorkshire!

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Alan’s Blog – Solaris

Tom Smith — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:27:10 +0000

Alan’s Blog – Solaris

Helme Edge Vineyard at 53 North, and 226m altitude in West Yorkshire with stunning
Pennine views owes its existence to the PIWI grape variety Solaris which has thrived under
our challenging conditions to give grapes that make outstanding still white and sparkling
wines.

The hybrid vine was developed at the Freiburg Wine Institute in 1975 by Norbert Becker in
a programme dedicated to finding vines with good cold climate tolerance, early ripening
and in particular, resistance to disease in the shape of the mildews and assorted fungal
maladies that plague vineyards growing traditional varieties. Solaris’ parents are Merzling
and Gm 6493 (Zarya x Muskat Ottonel). Many other white and red varieties have since
been developed and are being planted in England particularly newer red varieties,
Cabernet Cortis, Cabernet Noir and Divico.

These varieties are collectively known as PIWIs, an acronym for the German noun
Pilzwiderstandsfahig meaning resistant to fungi and hence requiring no or very little
spraying with fungicides, a significant cost and environmental benefit.

Solaris is grown in the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and
Germany. Sweden deserves a special mention for the recent growth of a viticulture
industry dominated by still and sparkling Solaris.

The early ripening characteristic of Solaris makes it eminently suitable for growing in
England and Wales, particularly in the north where the climate makes growing classic
varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay problematic, although many vineyards are
experimenting. For new entrants Solaris is the “go to “grape for the north. Bud burst for
Solaris is about a week before the average, leading to one of the earliest harvests in the
month of September. It also has high must weight potential reaching as high as 100
Oeschle (sugar levels) depending on climatic conditions.

Plantings of Solaris in England and Wales have grown quickly to around 110 hectares
(2024) up from 24 hectares in 2015. It is now the sixth most widely planted variety. With
such a wide range of potential picking points, Solaris is suitable for sparkling wine when
picked early at slightly higher acidity. In the still wine range different levels of ripeness
give profiles ranging from citrus through to more aromatic character. Sweet Solaris wines
of high quality have been made by stopping the fermentation at around 10%ABV leaving
significant residual sugar.

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Post Harvest – Around The Vineyard

Tom Smith — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:09:17 +0000

The end of harvest, with the grapes safely being fermented signals the transition into late autumn
and winter as the clocks change and we pull out coats and scarves. Solaris has led the way, already
losing leaves which have yellowed as the vines approach dormancy having had a good post-harvest period to rebuild carbohydrate reserves in roots and stems. This is important to fuel growth next spring and support good yields.

While an element of relaxation is allowed post-harvest many winter tasks now present themselves.
Structural changes to posts wires etc are best made before the grip of winter and we are adding a
few rows of vines to our existing plantings of Solaris and Cabernet Cortis as well as transplanting
some Rondo vines which did not thrive well in an area that proved to be too wet. The herbicide
strips have been created and posts knocked in manually to pilot holes drilled with an auger. Planting will take place in March and April after which the wires will be added. We’ll also be liming the new strips which were formerly old field pasture where the acidity has already been measured.

With winter in mind we have made the tasting room cosier with sheepskin covers on the benches
and additional seasonal lighting. A TV monitor is being added so that Tom can deliver his
comprehensive vineyard tour experience without leaving the building if the weather or darkness
dictates.

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October 2025 – Cabernet Cortis Harvest!

Tom Smith — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:44:28 +0000

October 2025 – Cabernet Cortis Harvest!

It was another very exciting day for us at Helme Edge Vineyard. Having picked Solaris early in September we left the later ripening Cabernet Cortis (our red grape) as late as possible to develop a good sugar level and ripe skins. A team of 8 of us ended up picking the crop on the morning of Monday 13th October. The following day, we transported the grapes down to our winemakers at Halfpenny Green, and in the spring we will get our Rose back for our lovely visitors to try!

A huge thank you to our amazing team of ladies who gave up their time to come and help us. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Elsewhere in the vineyard the Solaris leaves are turning yellow and will soon fall, indicating the end of a long, warm, sunny summer.

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October 2025 – Charcuterie Plates!

Tom Smith — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 08:10:30 +0000

October 2025 – Charcuterie Plates!

As winter draws closer we are adding Charcuterie Plates as a new option to our tours & tastings programme! From Monday 6th October our morning tasting is moving to 11:30, which alongside our 4pm tasting, will now be a Charcuterie Tour & Tasting which makes it ideal for a mid week or Saturday lunch / early evening meal for individuals, couples or groups.

Our 2:00pm slot remains the same as the Standard Tour & Tasting with a plate of nibbles, and we now have both Charcuterie and Standard Vouchers available to buy.

We have also made our Tasting Room cosy, warm and comfortable with sheepskin rugs and cosy lighting. We can’t wait to welcome you and your friends!

Again, huge shout out also to Dam at Authentic Visual Agency for his fantastic night shoot this week! https://www.authenticvisualagency.com/

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September 2025 – Solaris Harvest!

Tom Smith — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:10:50 +0000

SEPTEMBER 2025 – Solaris HARVEST!

Harvest was a real Community event at Helme Edge Vineyard with friends and family joining us to pick our Solaris crop and enjoy a buffet lunch in and around the tasting room, just managing to escape the afternoon rain! After last year’s miserable weather, it was fantastic to see the results of what a beautiful, sunny & dry year can produce. We just need to pray to the weather gods now in the hopes that 2026 is just as good! Thank you so much to our amazing team of pickers for all their help – they were all amazing and we couldn’t have managed it without you!

Huge shout out too to Dam at Authentic Visual Agency for the amazing pics! Always great to work with him and we strongly recommend him for any photography needs:

https://www.authenticvisualagency.com

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June 2025 – Around The Vineyard

Tom Smith — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:14:08 +0000

June 2025 – Around The Vineyard

June has been a month of explosive vine growth driven by very welcome high temperatures and sunny skies! It has also been very windy, leading to some vines blowing over. Tying the fruiting shoots to the wires has therefore been one of our main priorities.

We were delighted that the heat triggered an early flowering as the skin round the grapelets burst to give the welcome star effect that signifies fertility and a viable grape. This is the stage which failed in 2024 resulting in very low or zero yield in many vineyards.

We’ll soon begin leaf removal around the potential grape bunches to improve air flow and sun penetration as well as trimming the ends of the vines projecting above the top wire to keep the canopy as open as possible.

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Walk and Wine Around Helme Edge Vineyard – Public Transport from Huddersfield

Tom Smith — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:52:38 +0000

For our visitors who live slightly further afield, here is another walking route which utilises the frequent bus services we have in our area! Duration: 3 hours

The Meltham area is well served by a bus service No 324 from Huddersfield bus station every 20 minutes for a journey time of around 21 minutes with many stops along the B6108. After entering Meltham the 324 bus will leave Huddersfield Road turning right into Station Street and passing Morrisons on the right.

The 324 then turns right onto Mean Lane. Walkers should alight here and proceed up the hill in the same direction past Broadlands Road and the entrance to the Meltham Sports and Social Club

and onto the track that leads through new houses towards the fields. Keep going until the track turns left at a livery stable.

The path then meanders up the hill through a gate at the stream crossing...

...then heads uphill between newly planted trees with an array of solar panels to the left.

Go through the latch gate to the left of the house and proceed uphill on the tarmac lane which leads onto Crosland Edge.

At the end of Crosland Edge turn right at the T junction with Harrison lane. The vineyard is 50 metres further up on the left.

Then, enjoy a tour and tasting from our Tasting Room!

After the tour and tasting exit the vineyard via the public footpath that bisects it turning left down towards Helme Village.

In Helme Village cross the road and head for the primary school behind the church. Just before the school cross the stile on the right to pick up the public footpath running along the side of the school.

Proceed straight through the fields with nice views of West Nab in the distance as far as a white house.

At the white house take the path to the right heading uphill toward a farmhouse turning left again and passing in front of it.

Proceed then along the tarred road leading from the farmhouse towards Westfield Avenue. Cross Westfield Avenue and take the short track to exit onto the main Meltham to Slaithwaite Road.

Turn left and walk down the road to the 324 bus stop opposite Meltham Motors near the pedestrian crossing and just after Helme Lane. The 324 will exit from Helme Lane.

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Walk and Wine Around Helme Edge Vineyard

Tom Smith — Fri, 23 May 2025 08:58:14 +0000

For those visitors who wish to combine their tour & tasting with an easy, circular and beautiful walk starting at Blackmoorfoot Reservoir, please click through the slides below for the route! Total time: 2 1/2 hours

Park on Reservoir Side Road – This quiet road forms the eastern boundary of the reservoir and is already used for parking by walkers often with dogs enjoying the amenity of the reservoir and its surroundings.

To access the vineyard, walkers head north on Reservoir Side Road or go through the wall and take the more scenic path at the side of reservoir.

Then passing Reservoir house and Crosland Houses lead onto the bridleway that meanders down the hill.

The bridleway is a treasure trove for foragers, giving wild raspberries, bilberries and blackberries over summer and autumn.

Toward the end of the bridleway the vineyard becomes visible on the right with sweeping views across Helme Village towards West Nab and Deer Hill.

Where the bridleway meets Harrison lane turn right onto the public footpath which bisects the vineyard.

You can gain access to reception via a gate on the left.

Our walkers can enjoy the next hour and a half with a tour and tasting in our brand new tasting room!

After the tour and tasting walkers re-join the public footpath where they entered the vineyard, turn left and proceed downhill into Helme Village.

At the end of the lane at the T junction turn right...

...and find the bus shelter. Pick up the public footpath on the right side of the bus shelter a few yards further on the right.

Head up through the field into Orange Wood.

At the top turn right onto the main road and after a few yards access the public footpath that runs along the catchment feeding water from Deer Hill Reservoir to Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

Where the catchment flows into the reservoir turn right...

...and head across the reservoir bank. At the end turn left onto Reservoir Side Road and re-join your vehicle.

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May 2025 – Around the Vineyard

Tom Smith — Sat, 10 May 2025 09:52:23 +0000

May 2025 – Around the Vineyard

After the excitement of Meltham VE day it’s back to work in the vineyard. The main current activity is tying down the fruiting canes to the bottom wire. These canes were selected during the winter pruning when the rest of last year’s growth was removed. The fruiting shoots will then grow vertically from the tied down canes and be attached to the higher wires. We leave tying down this late since buds on vertical canes are less susceptible to frost damage than when tied down
horizontally. The tied down vines are in the double guyot shape that represents the optimum for grape production. Sadly some young vines don’t survive, particularly the wet conditions of last summer and winter. We have just planted 50 Solaris replacements. Otherwise routine tasks like cutting the grass strips between the rows of vines need to be undertaken weekly. Tom loves the red ride on mower that he won in a video competition last year.

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