The story
Llanerch Vineyard Hotel & Restaurant in Pontyclun centers its dining program at Roots Restaurant, a venue dedicated to seasonal Welsh food prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The kitchen received a 2026 AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence, reflecting the standards applied to dishes that draw on the Vale of Glamorgan's pantry. Guests can choose from three-course dinner menus or enjoy afternoon tea laid out on the outdoor terrace. Sunday roasts appear regularly on the schedule, offering a simpler option within the vineyard setting.
Diane and Peter shifted the estate's focus from agriculture to winemaking after acquiring the land in the 1970s. Diane planted over 2,000 vines beginning in 1986, introducing French and German varieties such as Kernling, Triomphe, Bachus, Richenstiner, and Huxelrebe. Their first release was called Cariad, meaning love in Welsh, created to celebrate their daughter's wedding in 1989. Ryan and his family purchased the property in October 2010 following a period of receivership, undertaking major refurbishments and adding a hotel wing with 26 new bedrooms before reopening in June 2011.
The hotel packages its core offerings in the Signature Experience, which bundles an overnight stay, a vineyard tour, a tutored wine tasting, dinner, and a full Welsh breakfast. The Tasting Room hosts various activities throughout the year, including cocktail-making classes and painting workshops led by local artists. Accommodation ranges from Countryside Superiors to dog-friendly rooms, all situated near woodland walks and landscaped gardens. A retail area on the premises sells bottles of the vineyard's wines and gins, allowing visitors to take the flavors home.
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