If you were to name some of the best wine-making regions in the world, you might say Champagne in France, Tuscany in Italy, or Rioja in Spain. However, you might not realise that Surrey is fast making a space for itself on that list too.
According to Wine Enthusiast, Surrey is the sunniest region in the UK, with long summer days perfect for growing grapes. The soil is also rich in limestone chalk, which is ideal for drainage. You’ll find the same soil composition in the Champagne region. Additionally, the uneven terrain creates microclimates and provides south-facing hills, which are well-suited for planting grapes.
As such, there are some incredible vineyards making delicious wine right on your doorstep.
Here are five beautiful vineyards to visit in the wine-making capital of the UK.
1. Greyfriars Vineyard
The Greyfriars Vineyard was established in 1989 and was one of the first in the UK to plant Champagne grapes, with the intention of creating a unique, local sparkling wine. Since coming under new ownership in 2011, the vineyard, located just outside Guildford, has expanded and now offers a range of still and sparkling wines.
Greyfriars is currently experimenting with new technology and innovative techniques to create some of the most exciting bottles to come out of the UK.
You can visit the beautiful grounds and take a guided tour of the vineyard, followed by an expert-led tasting. Alternatively, if you want to explore at your own leisure, they offer self-guided tours too.
The Greyfriars Vineyard is open to visitors from 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday to Friday, and 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
2. High Clandon Estate Vineyard
High Clandon Estate Vineyard is a newer establishment, opened by Sybilla and Bruce Tindale in 2004. Since then, they’ve been working to create small batches of sparkling wine in the hope of proving that the UK can match the quality of traditional wine-producing countries.
As well as the vineyard, the estate is also home to a beautiful wildflower meadow filled with honey-producing bees. Additionally, you can find some delicious local truffles from the on-site orchard, which produced the UK’s biggest truffle in 2019.
The High Clandon Estate is open to visitors, with tours available by appointment throughout the year. The vineyard also hosts open days and events such as sculpture displays. You can even hire the wonderful Glass Barn building for special occasions including weddings.
3. Albury Organic Vineyard
The Albury Organic Vineyard, first planted in 2009, is maintained using biodynamic methods. This means that they don’t use any chemicals and instead rely on various natural methods to create fertile land and improve crop yields.
They believe that this commitment to organic farming not only supports the environment but also makes their rosé and sparkling wines as delicious as possible.
If you’re interested in learning more about their unique, eco-friendly wine production and sampling the results, you could visit Albury Organic Vineyard to attend one of their many events. As well as the traditional tours, you could enjoy wildlife walks, music events, pop-up food trucks, or arts and crafts classes.
In October, you could even volunteer to help with the grape harvest so you can play a role in producing some of the finest English wines.
4. Denbies Wine Estate
The Denbies Wine Estate is one of the largest vineyards in the UK, with the capacity to produce a million bottles a year. Since 1986, it has become one of the most successful wine manufacturers in the country.
There are several tours on offer, where you’ll learn about the wine-making process and sample some of the many different bottles produced at the estate. You’ll also find a number of restaurants, where you can enjoy a delicious meal with a specialist wine pairing.
The Denbies Wine Estate is also home to several other businesses including a coffee roasters, a brewery, a farm shop, and a bicycle rental shop. So, you could easily spend a day enjoying everything on offer.
5. Chilworth Manor Vineyard
Chilworth Manor was first built by the Saxons before becoming a monastery. Since then, it has been home to many aristocrats, and even housed soldiers during the first world war. Now, it is a beautiful vineyard, producing rosé and sparkling wines.
The owners are dedicated to producing sustainable products and maintaining the legacy of the manor itself. As such, the Chilworth Manor Vineyard is a relatively small operation, but still has plenty to offer.
The wine tours and tastings incorporate some interesting information about the history of the manor, so they’re unlike other tours you might’ve been on in the past. You could also stop for some afternoon tea or enjoy activities such as photography classes or the “words and wine” evenings with guest speakers.
You don’t need to travel overseas to find the best vineyards in the world. Why not visit some of these amazing destinations nearby instead?
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