The Best UK Vineyards To Visit
Langham Wine Estate, Dorset
At the Langham Wine Estate, the team prides itself on crafting terroir-driven sparkling wines only using grapes grown on the Dorset vineyard. They take a low-intervention approach to both grape growing and wine production, producing honest wines that reflect the terroir. With a south-facing aspect, chalk soils and a unique microclimate, Crawthorne vineyard provides an ideal terroir for ripening the classic champagne varieties – chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Visitors to the estate can have picnics the lawns and afternoon teas in the 19th-century milking parlour. There’s also a variety of hands-on experiences available, from picking grapes to loading the grape press.
Crawthorne, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7NG
Visit LanghamWine.co.uk
Nyetimber Vineyard, West Sussex
Situated in West Sussex, Nyetimber uses only the finest estate-grown fruit to craft its award-winning wines. Created using the traditional method of sparkling wine production, Nyetimber’s vineyards share similar characteristics with the best sparkling wine vineyards in the world, such as greensand and chalk soils and a climate which allows for the slow ripening of its grapes. An exclusive tour of the Nyetimber Estate and vineyards provides guests with the opportunity to walk among some of the oldest vines in England and enjoy views across the rolling hills of the South Downs. A 15th-century barn provides the setting for a tasting of Nyetimber’s celebrated sparkling wines, including the gold-medal winning Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, Rosé Multi-Vintage and Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage. Guests can also book in for a four-course dinner, paired with three cuvees.
West Chiltington, West Sussex, RH20 2HH
Visit Nyetimber.com
Giffords Hall Vineyard, Suffolk
Giffords Hall is a family-run vineyard located in the village of Hartest. The vineyard produces a range of English wines including sparkling wines, award-winning rosé, aromatic bacchus and a pinot noir. Guided tours include access to the vineyard where you’ll learn about the history of English wine, the varieties and styles of grapes that Giffords grows, plus all about trellising, pruning, harvesting and husbanding processes. This is followed by a tour of the winery and a tasting of three wines and three liqueurs accompanied by canapés. Away from the vineyard, Hartest is one of Suffolk’s prettiest villages, with a hump-backed bridge, thatched and painted houses and a large green, as well as local pub The Crown and picturesque places of interest such as Long Melford, Lavenham and Bury St Edmunds.
Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, IP29 4EX
Visit GiffordsHall.co.uk
Rodington Vineyard, Shropshire
Rodington Vineyard – the team behind Blue Tractor Wines – is a small family-run, award-winning vineyard located in central Shropshire. In 2009, the family bought the ten-acre plot at Rodington, near Telford. And after many years of planning, planting and nurturing the vines, their first harvest bore fruit in 2013 and the vineyard officially opened to the public in 2015. Rodington Vineyard offers a daily wine tasting experience which includes a tour of the vineyard before heading to the winery to sample a selection of wine accompanied by a lunch of cheese, meat, bread and nibbles.
Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6ND
Visit RodingtonVineyard.co.uk
Sharpham Wine and Cheese, Devon
Classic English wines are produced at Sharpham vineyard. In the winery, the team employs both New World and traditional techniques to best develop the wines’ regional characteristics. Guest can opt for an informal guided tasting of four wines and two cheeses, which includes entry to the vineyard. Here you’ll receive a map of the vineyard where you can follow the various routes through the vines and down to the River Dart, which offers impressive views.
Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7UT
Visit Sharpham.com
Three Choirs Vineyard, Gloucestershire
The 75-acre Three Choirs is one of England’s oldest vineyards. Beginning at the Cellar Door, wine tasting tourswill take you to the edge of the vines. Next you’ll wander to the winery to uncover the winemaking process before having the chance to taste four of the wines for yourself. After the guide has finished, guests can follow a vineyard walk and head to the brasserie for country classics. Those wanting to make an night of it can stay in the Oak and Ceder lodges, which both have floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides with views overlooking willow-fringed ponds surrounded by vines. Each lodge has its own veranda on two sides and claw-footed baths: both perfect for retiring to with a glass of something from the winery.
Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1LS
Visit Three-Choirs-Vineyard.co.uk
Camel Valley Vineyard, Cornwall
Camel Valley has been producing award-winning wines in Cornwall since 1989. Tours are relaxed and friendly: a wine maker will guide you through the vineyard year and winery process. Afterwards, there will be a five-wine tasting session, beginning with Camel Valley’s most famous wine, Cornwall Brut. If a tour's not for you then they also sell wine by the glass or half glass on the terrace throughout the day, which is a relaxed way of tasting wine and enjoying the views. Two holiday cottages offer tranquil accommodation in characterful barn conversions with views over the vineyard and down the valley.
Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5LG
Visit CamelValley.com
Chapel Down Vineyard, Kent
Chapel Down is located in the Kent countryside, close to the market town of Tenterden, and is open to visitors throughout the year. Set among 22 acres of vineyards, the Chapel Down winery has excellent facilities for visitors including a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant and a shop stocking a variety of local produce. An outdoor terrace with views across the countryside is a perfect setting to enjoy drinks before or after a meal. Visitors are also welcome to explore the grounds and herb garden and take part in complimentary vineyard walks. Guided tours include a visit to the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of its award-winning range of sparkling and still wines.
Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG
Visit ChapelDown.com
Greyfriars Vineyard, Surrey
Greyfriars was originally planted in 1989 and has been producing great grapes and wines for over 20 years. The current owners took over in late 2010 with the aim of expanding the vineyard dramatically, producing English sparkling wine and building a state-of-the-art winery with its own natural chalk cellar. Throughout the year the team runs tours and tastings as well as special events. The majority of these are paid events, however they also host several free tastings and family-friendly open days during the growing season. At both, expect to sample a selection of Greyfriars' award-winning wines, as well as meet the winemakers.
Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1AG
Visit GreyfriarsVineyard.co.uk
Simpsons Wine Estate, Kent
Simpsons Wine Estate occupides a prime position on the sunny, sheltered slopes of the North Downs of Kent, protected from the English climate by ancient woodland and anchored in chalky soils revered for both still and sparkling wine. Tours and tasting experiences begin with a walk to the Roman Road Vineyard, where you’ll learn about how the vines are grown and harvested while sampling Simpsons’ flagship sparkling wine, the Chalklands Classic Cuvée. Returning to the winery, you’ll learn about the wine-making process from the vantage point of the Glass House tasting room, while you take part in a tasting of Simpsons’ current release wines.
Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB
Visit SimpsonsWine.com
Rathfinny Wine Estate, East Sussex
The Rathfinny Wine Estate was established in 2010 with the intention of producing some of the world’s best sparkling wine. Located near Alfriston in the South Downs, Rathfinny occupies a south-facing slope, just three miles from the sea: its climate, chalk soils and aspect make it an ideal place to produce some of the best, award-winning English sparkling wines. Guests can walk through the vines in a small group with an experienced guide, exploring the vineyard, history and wildlife of the estate. Led by chef Chris Bailey, the Tasting Room restaurant offers fine dining via a menu of seasonal, modern British cuisine that changes on a regular basis, alongside plenty of Rathfinny fizz. Family experiences are available, and guests can stay over in the two-bedroom Flint Barns.
Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 5TU
Visit RathfinnyWineEstate.com
Ridgeview Wine Estate, East Sussex
Ridgeview vineyard was planted in 1995. Situated near the picturesque village of Ditchling, the winemakers originally selected three clones of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier: the cool climate of the South Downs enabled Ridgeview’s grapes to retain high levels of natural acidity when they are fully ripe, which is crucial to producing full-flavoured sparkling wines. Guided tours of the vineyard and winery are hosted by one of the vineyard’s experts. Here you’ll experience insights into the craft of creating award-winning sparkling wines, followed up by a sampling session in the tasting room, which overlooks the South Downs.
Ditchling Common, East Sussex, BN6 8TP
Visit Ridgeview.co.uk
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