Whether a seasoned wine lover or a near novice, a trip to one of these UK vineyards will not disappoint.
From Kent to Sussex, Hampshire to Cornwall, the reputation of UK wines has never been better. Here are 10 wineries worthy of a visit.
1. Chapel Down, Kent
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This charming vineyard, set in 25 acres of beautiful Kent countryside, hosts daily wine tours to showcase its impressive offering of award-winning wines. Sparkling wines are made in the traditional method, ‘Three Graces’ being particularly noteworthy. Not a fan of wine? They also brew their own beers, ciders, and spirits, all of which can be snapped up at the Winery Shop, alongside a curated edit of local produce. A visit wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the excellent on-site restaurant, The Swan. The AA Rosette-boasting restaurant serves up traditional British fare, paired with Chapel Down wines naturally.
2. Nyetimber, Sussex
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Sharing similar characteristics with the best sparkling wine vineyards in the world – thanks to greensand and chalk soils – Nyetimber has become the leading producer of sparkling wines in the UK, with sites peppered across Hampshire, Kent, and West Sussex. They currently produce seven varieties of sparkling wine, which are ubiquitous at fine-dining spots across the UK.
3. The Mount Vineyard, Kent
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If you are looking for a day trip just 30 minutes outside of London, The Mount Vineyard is a good place to consider. The small vineyard, set in the postcard-perfect village of Shoreham, hosts informative tastings of their sparkling and still wines under a charming sun terrace with retractable roof. The on-site restaurant serves up a relaxed feast of stone-baked pizzas and charcuterie boards which puts you in a holiday state of mind.
4. Sharpham, Devon
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Wine and cheese – name a more iconic duo. Happily this is what Sharpham offers with an on-site dairy farm. The 1000 year old farmhouse has picturesque views over Totnes so you will want to linger a little longer, and leave with a healthy stash of their famous brie.
5. Camel Valley, Cornwall
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Camel Valley, near Bodmin, is the only vineyard in the UK to hold a Royal Warrant, and currently produces sparkling, rosé, and white wines. Situated on sun-drenched slopes near Cornwall’s Camel River, the family vineyard has been producing vines for three decades. Perfectly positioned for a pitstop if you’re on holiday in the area, they happily serve wine by the glass on the sun terrace.
6. Hattingley Valley, Hampshire
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The family run eco-winery, Hattingley Valley estate, in Hampshire, specialises in English sparkling wines. The wine-making team look after the estates’ 60 acres of land and work with local vineyards to ensure the best grapes for their wines.
7. Hush Heath, Kent
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English wine producers Hush Heath Estate are famed for their Balfour Brut Rosé. In fact, rosé wine is their signature. While there are private and group guided tours available, you can choose to skip this and opt for self-guided tours with routes through beautiful vineyards, apple orchards, and wildflower meadows. All that walking is thirsty work, so you’ll be more than ready to savour a three-glass wine flight after your tour.
8. Tillingham, Sussex
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New-gen biodynamic winery, Tillingham offers organic wine, farm-to-plate food, and stunning views, meaning it has fast become a favourite amongst hipsters and connoisseurs alike. Based in a former hop barn, we’d recommend an overnight stay at one of their eleven stylish yet pared-back guest rooms to really maximise your time here. Throughout the year they also host a range of courses and workshops from foraging and bread-making to yoga.
9. Ridgeview, South Downs
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Positioned overlooking the picturesque South Downs, Ridgeview occupies a beautiful spot. In fact, it was one of the first wineries in England to focus solely on the production of sparkling wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes when they started out 25 years ago. For the winter period, Ridgeview have transformed their idyllic wine garden into a romantic tipi festooned with fairy lights to enjoy Ridgeview’s stunning sparkling wines, accompanied by platters of oysters. Heaven!
10. Three Choirs, Gloucestershire
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It’s easy to mistake The Three Choirs Vineyard and Winery for Tuscany or Bordeaux (particularly after sampling their 13 wines), not the rolling hills of Gloucestershire Valley. There is a brasserie on-site serving tapas-style dishes and, if you enjoy yourself a little too much, you can always book into one of the cabins or idyllic rooms overlooking the vineyards.
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