11 Best UK Vineyards To Visit This Summer
When scouring the wine aisle we’re automated to bypass English grapes and instead, we robotically pick up a bottle of something French or Italian instead. Traditionally English wines have been unfairly looked down upon, but the rise of English winemaking over the last decade means it’s become severely underrated. What could be better than exploring the best of English wine at one of the UK’s many vineyards?
If, like us, you’re partial to a glass of fizz or rosé come the weekend, uncover traditional and modern methods of wine making through tours and tastings. Here are eleven of our favourites…
Tinwood Estate
Family-run Tinwood Estate neighbours the Goodwood Estate just a stone’s throw from the stunning Chichester coastline. Formerly an iceberg lettuce farm, owners Art and Jody have painstakingly transformed their land into a successful vineyard, with a delicious food offering and comfortable accommodation that ensures visiting here entails far more than just a wine tasting.
The estate boasts eight luxury lodges positioned amongst the vines for those looking to fully immerse themselves in the experience (& ditch the car), each furnished with pieces designed by Jody and perfectly appointed to appreciate the calming views. Two saunas offer guests a detoxifying cleanse after the generous tasting courses, and the Vineyard Kitchen delivers homemade deli-style tapas dishes that you collect in a trug and select according to your preferred wine tastes. So simple and yet stunningly effective.
If relaxed wine-tasting in welcoming Nordic-influenced surroundings appeals to you, this is the place to go. Plus don’t forget to snaffle one of the estate’s four incredible sparkling wines before you depart.
Tinwood Estate, Halnaker, PO18 0NE
Nyetimber, West Sussex
Planning a party or a picnic? First stop: Nyetimber. Why? Because they’ve cracked the secret of consistently producing high-quality fizz using exclusively English grapes.
Discover the glorious history of the English wine producer when you visit their vineyard in West Sussex. Book in for one of their open days and enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour tour by one of the Nyetimber team’s brand ambassadors, who will guide you through the vines, as well as stopping off to take a photo or two at the rolling South Downs surrounding you.
Finish your tour by stopping off and purchasing a few bottles of your own to try, all at a special cellar door price.
Gay Street, West Chiltington, West Sussex, RH20 2HH
www.nyetimber.com
Lympstone Manor, Devon
Head on out for a weekend break at Lympstone Manor, home to one of our favourite country house hotels, and enjoy European cuisine thanks to star chef Michael Caines, and take in the sea views and rolling vineyard.
The hotel planted 17,500 vines back in the summer of 2018 to create delicate sparkling wines for guests of the hotel to enjoy while they were staying. The vineyard dream was brought to life by a guest who visited the manor and spotted the potential, and the vines are expected to yield their first significant harvest next year, though it’ll take another two years for the first release of Lympstone Manor Cuvee.
But if you’re a lover of sweeping hills, cosy hotels and stunning food, settle in for a night here and explore the vines on their journey.
Courtlands Lane, Exmouth, Devon EX8 3NZ
www.lympstonemanor.co.uk
Rathfinny Estate, East Sussex
Set in the South Downs, Rathfinny Estate is home to 600 acres of sun-soaked vines and sweeping landscapes just off the Sussex coastline.
This summer they are welcoming wine lovers back with new summery picnic hampers or grab a bite to eat at the Michelin-recommended Tasting Room.
Whether you’re greeted with glorious British weather or it’s a dreary day, explore the vineyard on one of their exclusive estate tours and uncover how your favourite tipple is nurtured and created into crisp, fresh white or sparkling wine.
White Way, Polegate, BN26 5TU
www.rathfinnyestate.com
Chapel Down, Kent
Set just outside the market town of Tenterden, Chapel Down Vineyard is known for its smooth blends and botanical-infused gins. Discover more about your favourite glass of white as you’re guided on a tour before trying the award-winning range of sparkling and still wines in one of their tastings.
If you’re feeling peckish after your journey through the vines, stop off at The Swan for a light lunch and another glass of the tempting bubbles.
Chapel Down Tenterden Vineyard Park, Small Hythe Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG
www.chapeldown.com
Langham Wine Estate, Dorset
Escape the city and venture to Langham Wine Estate in Dorset. The vineyard itself is south-facing and set on chalk soils making it a great spot for producing sparkling varieties, including chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier.
Join the expert team on one of their guided tours around the grounds and learn the ins and outs of traditional sparkling wine production. If you’d rather explore the vine fields yourself, they also offer self-guided tours and tastings.
Crawthorne Farm, Crawthorne, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7NG
www.langhamwine.co.uk
Gusbourne Estate
This boutique winery in Kent is known for its award-winning sparkling wine, meaning it’s the perfect choice for celebration and the summertime. You can stroll on a self-guided tour or with an expert, before rewarding yourself with a well-earned glass of wine back at its wine bar.
Kenardington Rd, Appledore, Ashford TN26 2BE
gusbourne.com
Ridgeview Wine Estate, East Sussex
Ridgeview’s history stretches back to 1995 when Mike and Chris Roberts made their dream of creating a world-renowned English sparkling wine come to life. Fast-forward to the present day, and you can explore its history in its entirety when you take a tour of their Ditchling vineyard in East Sussex.
Slotted alongside the picturesque village of Ditchling, you’ll be guided on a tour by one of their winery experts and you’ll learn the ins and outs of Ridgeview’s sparkling wines. Or, book in for one of their tastings to try their selection for yourself and learn what pairs well with each blend.
Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common, Sussex, BN6 8TP
www.ridgeview.co.uk
Hattingley Valley, Hampshire
You guys know we’re mad for Hattingley Valley’s range of wines, but we fell in love with them when we journeyed to Hampshire to their glorious vineyard.
Family-owned, Hattingley Valley is slotted into the heart of Hampshire and specialises in sparkling wine. Settle in for a vineyard tour across 25 acres, before heading back to the winery to uncover the traditional processes used in production. In August and September, the grapes are harvested, so it’s the perfect time to explore and taste some of the yield.
Wield Yard, Lower Wield, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9AJ
www.hattingleyvalley.com
Bluebell Vineyard, East Sussex
Formally a pig farm, Bluebell Estate was transformed into a beautiful vineyard stretching over 100 acres.
Drive out of the city and to Uckfield and book a tour and tasting session where you’ll sample some of their best yields. Or make a day of it and try one of their cheese and wine tastings. The grapes are all harvested, fermented, and packaged on-site too.
Glenmore Farm, Slider’s Lane, Furners Green, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3RU
www.bluebellvineyard.org
Giffords Hall Vineyard, Suffolk
Just a couple of hours’ drive out of the big smoke and you’ll find yourself surrounded by flat, sweeping fields and green landscapes. Slotted in the heart of Suffolk, just outside the market town of Bury St Edmunds, Giffords Hall Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard that’s been producing grapes for over 25 years.
Hartest, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 4EX
www.giffordshall.co.uk