At Irish Wine Estates, we are not just planting a vineyard we are actively testing what is possible for wine in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year, we are planting 3,300 vines across 30 different grape varieties (allowing for different rootstocks), combining proven performers with cutting-edge cold-climate Piwi varieties from leading European nurseries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two Strategies: Confidence vs Experimentation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our planting strategy is deliberate and split into two clear categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Core Varieties (High Confidence)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These are varieties where we have reasonable confidence that they can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These make up the majority of our planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Experimental Varieties (High Potential, High Risk)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The smaller plantings are where things get interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These include new-generation Piwi (fungus-resistant) varieties, selected in collaboration with European nurseries who believe they might work in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s be clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We expect most of these to fail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But if even a handful succeed, the upside is significant, not just for us, but for the entire future of Irish viticulture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s exactly what we are putting into the ground this year, in descending order:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Core Plantings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These form the backbone of our vineyard and our early production strategy for wine in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of the following is planted in small quantities, typically 20\u201350 vines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are at the frontier of modern viticulture, bred for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All critical traits for vineyards in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ireland is still an emerging wine region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n By planting this range, we are effectively running a live field trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the next 3\u20135 years, we will track:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the kind of dataset that simply doesn\u2019t exist at scale for wine in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to be realistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of these experimental varieties will likely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that\u2019s not wasted effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because if even:<\/p>\n\n\n\n that could represent a major breakthrough for Irish sparkling wine and still wine production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n For those interested in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where the real work happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not in the tasting room, but in the field, testing what works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This planting strategy reflects how we think about Irish Wine Estates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are not trying to get everything right immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are trying to learn faster than anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the coming seasons, we will share:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because if we get this right, it won\u2019t just shape our vineyard, it could help define the future of wine tours Ireland and Irish viticulture more broadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To follow our progress as we build one of the most ambitious vineyard projects in the country:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Irish Wine Estates, our insane journey to build an Irish Wine Estate, one cold morning at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you want to understand how vineyards in Ireland will evolve over the next decade, it starts with one thing: Experimentation. At Irish Wine Estates, we are not just planting a vineyard we are actively testing what is possible for wine in Ireland. This year, we are planting 3,300 vines across 30 different grape varieties […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":249964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n When people think of vineyards in Ireland, most imagine green fields, rain, and rolling hills not rows of vines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But here at Irish Wine Estates, we\u2019re proving that Ireland has the potential to become one of the world\u2019s most exciting cool-climate wine regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our latest YouTube episode, \u201cHow We Chose Our Vineyard Site in Ireland,\u201d we share the thinking and planning behind our decision to plant vines right here in County Offaly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s part of our mission to show how thoughtful site selection, from soil and slope to shelter and sunlight, can make wine in Ireland not only possible but exceptional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rise of wine tours in Ireland is being shaped by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many, the idea of discovering vineyards alongside castles, green hills, and coastal drives is a uniquely Irish combination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While our first wines are still a few years away, we are building Irish Wine Estates with tourism in mind. When our vines mature, we plan to offer wine lovers a complete tasting experience, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Irish wine tourism is not just about one estate. Visitors can also explore other pioneering vineyards in Cork, Wicklow, and Waterford, making wine tours in Ireland an exciting addition to any travel itinerary. Pairing a vineyard visit with Ireland\u2019s rich food culture creates a memorable journey that goes beyond the usual whiskey or brewery tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though still young, Ireland\u2019s wine tourism industry has extraordinary potential. Over the next decade, wine tours in Ireland will become a natural part of the country\u2019s tourism offering - offering travellers a chance to experience Irish land and culture in a new way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Irish Wine Estates, we\u2019re committed to being part of this story. When the time comes, our tours will welcome visitors to taste not just wine, but Ireland itself - in every glass.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-249962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249962"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":249966,"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249962\/revisions\/249966"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Irish-Wine-Estates-blog-images-4-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOur 2026 Planting Mix (By Volume)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Experimental & Piwi Varieties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why This Matters for Irish Viticulture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Expect Failure, That\u2019s the Point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Building Knowledge for the Future of Wine in Ireland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A Long-Term View<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Follow the Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Wine Tours in Ireland Are Growing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"wine](\"https:\/\/www.irishwineestates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-4-min-300x300.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWine Tours at Irish Wine Estates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Beyond Our Estate: Wine Tourism Across Ireland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Future of Wine Tours in Ireland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n