There is a great sense of camaraderie between the wineries, who work together to increase the richness of the offer to their visitors. June 17 marks the start of English Wine Week, and many producers will be holding events to celebrate. On June 23, for example, The Grange winery in Alresford, Hampshire, will host its 10th annual Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest. “It will have high-quality wine, a festive village atmosphere and an Alresford harp band,” says Zam Baring, managing partner at The Grange.
Meanwhile, Balfour, which saw 20,000 visitors to the Hush Heath Estate last year, is working with VisitEngland to attract visitors from the UK and abroad.
“We get a lot of visitors from all over the canal,” Meirelles says. “Something of a wine trip in reverse.” Now there's an idea.
English vineyards to visit
Langham Wine Estate, Crowthorne, Dorset
The Langham makes some of the most impressive sparkling wines in England, and has a café open for brunch and brunch. Tours (self-guided) from £15 per person. Special occasions include Fizz Fridays Seafood sessions, priced at £55 (01258 839095; langhamwine.co.uk).
Sandridge Barton, Stoke Gabriel, Devon
Sharpham's new home specializes in still wines. Self-guided tastings cost £12 and vineyard safaris £45. Circa Restaurant serves seasonal, locally sourced dishes. Self-catering accommodation includes an 1850s boathouse on the River Dart, from £1,000 for three nights (01803 732203; sandridgebarton.com).
Balfour Winery, Staplehurst, Kent
Set in 400 acres of orchards, oak woodlands and vineyards, Balfour is a family favourite, offering free self-guided tours and tastings from £15. The café serves seasonal dishes to share, and the restaurant has an à la carte menu (01622 832794; balfourwinery.com).
Nature Winery, Trethorgie near St Austell, Cornwall
A boutique winery making fantastic wines using grapes from Cornwall and beyond, Knightor offers tastings at the cellar door from £10, and has a shop in Trethurgy with a café. Tastings are also available at Portscatho Vineyard on the Roseland Peninsula (01726 851101; Knightor.com).
Henry's Vineyard, Hurstmonceaux, East Sussex
Henners Vineyard has a new cellar door and offers tours and tastings from £27 per person or the option to order wine by the glass (from £5) and cheese and meat boards from £9 (01323 832073; hennersvineyard.co.uk).
Black Chalk, near Andover, Hampshire
The Black Chalk tasting room is housed in an old dairy building with a courtyard patio and serves snacks and wines by the glass (from £7) or flights from £11. Vineyard tours and tastings start from £15 per person, and treehouse tastings start from £110 for two (01264 860440; blackchalkwine.co.uk).
