
Ballyclery — County Offaly
Discover a Vineyard in the Heart of Ireland
A developing vineyard in South Offaly, where a traditional Irish farm is being reimagined through viticulture, wine tourism and biodiversity. Small-group Preview Vineyard Tours begin on selected dates in 2027.
A vineyard where you might not expect one.In the heart of Ireland.
South Offaly.
Pilot vineyard
planted 2024.
30Grape varieties on trialPilot 2024
Ballyclery
planting 2026
Growing grapes
in South Offaly.
Irish Wine Estates is establishing vines on a traditional Irish farm. Our pilot vineyard, planted in 2024, is showing us which grape varieties suit Irish conditions, and major planting began at Ballyclery in 2026.
Why a Vineyard
01
A Traditional Irish Farm
The cottage, the Kelly of Portlaoise shed and the Massey Ferguson 165.
02
Changing Economics
A farm of this size can’t rely on commodity farming alone.
03
Wine & Tourism
Creating more value from the land, and a direct link with visitors.
Come for the Vineyard.
Discover the Place.
- Vines
- Landscape
- Heritage
- Biodiversity
- People



From a 1960s Farm to a Vineyard for the 2020s
Watch the vineyard being built
1960s
A Traditional Farm

2024
Pilot Vineyard

2026 — current stage
Ballyclery Planting

2027
Preview Tours

Next
Irish Wine

- Traditional farm.
- Modern vineyard.
Scroll the timeline →



Farm heritage
The Story of the Farm
Ballyclery began as a traditional Irish farm of the 1960s: a cottage with its original stove, a cow byre, a Kelly of Portlaoise shed and the farm's Massey Ferguson 165. Even a 1966 Sunbeam Alpine is part of the story.
Farming has changed since then. A farm of this size can no longer rely on commodity agriculture alone, so Stephen and Nicola are giving the land a new purpose — vines, wine and visitors who want to see an Irish vineyard take shape.
The old farm and the new vineyard, side by side.
- The cottage
- Original stove
- Cow byre
- Kelly of Portlaoise shed
- Massey Ferguson 165
- 1966 Sunbeam Alpine
Watch ItGrow
Follow Our Journey
Follow the vineyard
as it grows, season
by season.
Ballyclery — County Offaly
Follow the vineyard as it grows
Field
Notes
- Vineyard life
- Grapes
- Weather
- Farm
- Biodiversity
Planting for the Future: Why We’re Trialling almost 30 Grape Varieties at Irish Wine Estates
If you want to understand how vineyards in Ireland will evolve over the next decade, it starts with one thing:...
Four Months of Rain: How Irish Weather Has Put Our Vineyard Under Pressure
If you want to understand the reality of building vineyards in Ireland, the last four months tell you everything. At...
Installing a Sencrop 4G+ Weather Station at Irish Wine Estates: A Game Changer for Irish Viticulture
At Irish Wine Estates, our mission is simple: to build one of the most exciting vineyards in Ireland while producing...
Follow our journey
Follow the Journey
Watch Ballyclery change through the seasons, from planting and pruning to the first harvests.
Admit — small groups
2027
Preview Vineyard Tours
- Selected dates only
- Small, owner-led groups
- Tours only — no tasting in 2027
- Advance booking required
2027 Preview Tour list
Be First to Hear About 2027 Preview Vineyard Tours
Leave your details and we'll email you as soon as tour dates are confirmed. Prices and timings will be shared as the programme develops.
