The Community Vineyard
The community vineyard is a not-for-profit project located on the site of the former Cistercian Warden Abbey. We aim to provide social, health and educational benefits for Bedfordshire whilst providing a financially and environmentally sustainable future for this historic vineyard.
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity leases the vineyard in an ambitious project to provide a unique community and educational resource – and are carrying on the tradition of making medal winning wines.
A community and educational resource
The community vineyard is a not-for-profit venture. Vines are cared for all year round by volunteers, who also help with promoting the project, historical research, vineyard tours, organising events and fund-raising.
They run visits for local schools keen to offer pupils a chance to experience work outdoors in the countryside or learn about medieval life here.
The vineyard provides opportunities for jobless volunteers to improve their chances of finding permanent jobs, as well as offering a unique setting for social and therapeutic horticulture, and wildlife and heritage projects.
We also link with local historic gardens to offer experience of vine pruning to their apprentice gardeners.
A unique setting
In a beautiful and historic rural setting, the vineyard has a special atmosphere that attracts people looking for something different and a unique social environment. It offers:
- A unique setting for social and therapeutic horticulture
- Learning and skills development
- Help for people into employment or voluntary work
- A range of volunteering opportunities for local people and community groups
- A great chance to be involved from vine to wine
- Wildlife and heritage projects
What’s kept me going? Many things, but one of them has been volunteering at Old Warden Vineyard. It gets me out into the countryside which is good – but I do that anyway, walking and cycling. What’s special about it is the sense of involvement in the annual full circle of growth and harvest.