Celebrating English Wine Week in the Wine Capital of the UK – South East England

19th June 2023

"Good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures" - Michael Broadbent    

Each year English Wine Week (17th June – 25th June 23) celebrates the wonderful growers, producers and award-winning wines created across the country. This week is a great time to pay a visit to one of the South East vineyards so you can celebrate too, but it doesn’t mean you can’t visit at any time of the year. Most vineyards run an extensive event program combining tasty food and delicious wine and many occasions organise other themed events throughout the summer months focusing on local produce, music or wines from the counties. Discover some of the great places to enjoy wine tasting across the destination, explore the landscape and soak up the ambience.  

Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey 

Home to 265 acres of vineyards, Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, is one of the largest single estate vineyards in the South East.  It was also one of the first to open its own hotel on site with 17 ensuite bedrooms, ideal for a weekend getaway to the Surrey countryside.  The latest addition is the new Wine Library, a lounge space ideal for drinks or for private dining for up to 24, it includes a stunning wine wall which reaches from floor to ceiling. Producing over 1 million bottles of wine a year and offering an extensive range of wine tasting experiences both indoor and out, it’s a great choice for a visit at anytime of the year.

Balfour Winery, Tonbridge, Kent 

Located on the edge of Tonbridge in Kent, Balfour Winery is a 400-acre family-owned estate, built on ancient woodlands, with apple orchards and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see. Having planted their first vines in 2002 and 2 years later developed the Balfour Brut Rose, they went on to become gold medallists in their field within half a decade of their first harvest. Now, they produce 400,000+ bottles of still and sparkling wine every year, they welcome guests to wander the grounds with a free self-guided tour, take part in a luxury all-day wine and dine experience, try their hands at a tasting masterclass or join an organised estate tour and tasting. 

Stanlake Wine Estate, Berkshire  

The largest vineyard in Berkshire Stanlake Wine Estate, is a hidden gem deep within Windsor Great Park. It is easy to reach as it is on the Elizabeth Line, just 30-40 mins from London Liverpool Street with a short walk on arrival. The vineyard is home to a range of grape varieties, many of which are still unknown to regular wine drinkers such as Reichensteiner and Schönburger. If you fancy trying them, head along to the wine bar where they sell everything by the glass or book a wine tour or go along to one of their regular cheese, wine and beer tastings.  You could even stay a bit longer in one of two recently refurbished lodges, which are minutes on foot from the vineyard and close to Windsor Castle, Ascot Racecourse, and Henley Regatta.  

Wiston Estate Vineyard, West Sussex 

With over 6000 acres of land and generations of history, Wiston Estate Vineyard was first planted back in 2006. Located 20 minutes from Horsham or Worthing train stations, on the direct line from London Victoria, the vineyard is located in the heart of West Sussex. With an extensive event calendar and regular tours and tastings, there are lots of different ways to visit. If you are a fan of two wheels you can enjoy their off-road bike tour and lunch package, or the sundowner safari tour, with tasting and dinner, which not only includes alfresco tastings overlooking the vines, but a four-course dinner in the Chalk Restaurant which opened in 2021. July 2023 sees the opening of their first self-catering holiday cottage - ‘The Pump House’ a charming, secluded cottage at the foot of the South Downs. 

Bolney Wine Estate, West Sussex  

Bolney Wine Estate is one of UK’s oldest vineyards. Having begun its story in 1972, with just 3 acres of vines becoming one of the very first commercial vineyards in the UK. Producing award-winning premium red, white, rosé and sparkling English wines, the vineyard is located on the edge of the South Downs, about 14 miles from the South Coast.  With a stunning balcony overlooking the vines, its a great place to meet with friends, sit back and relax over a morning coffee, or enjoy a celebratory glass of English Wine.  

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Painshill Park, Surrey 

Painshill is a stunning 18th landscape garden designed by Charles Hamiliton, who created the garden from the scenes and vistas that he had experienced on his tours. A 2-acre vineyard was re-added in the 1990's restoring the site to its previous use and replacing a rockery added in the Victorian era. They only make a small amount of white and rose sparkling wine which is sold exclusively through their shop. Take a look around the vineyard when you visit the gardens or when you head along to one of their many music events, outdoor theatre shows or family friendly holiday trails. 

Ridgeview Wine Estate, East Sussex 

For 25 years Ridgeview Winery has led the way in the English sparkling wine revolution in Sussex, its first bottles were released in 2000 and they then went on to win English Wine of the Year.  It’s 30 acres produce around a quarter of a million bottles of wine a year, which are sold all over the world.  In 2016 Queen Elizabeth II was served Blanc de Blancs 2004 at her birthday banquet and in 2018 they were awarded International Winemaker of the Year, a first for an English wine. Choose to experience one of the regular tours and tastings or enjoy a seasonal small plate at the Rows and Vines resturant - ideal for sharing and pairing.  This beautiful alfresco dining terrace opened in 2022 as is open from Thursday - Monday.

Albourne Estate, East Sussex 

Located just 8 miles from Brighton, it's an easy hop inland to make a visit to the beautiful Albourne Estate winery.  The 30-acre estate crafts small quantities of award-winning still and sparkling English wine.  During the summer months they host a regular Friday evening pop-up dining experience mixing delicious food with chilled Sussex wines. You can also enjoy a beautifully made picnic amongst the vines and combine it with the informative self-guided trail that takes you around the estate. Enjoy the French game of pétanque on your visit, a brand-new court, which is free to use by visitors, has recently been opened next to the Tasting room. The panoramic Tasting Room is open from April - September and welcomes walk-in wine tastings, guided wine tasting and wine sales.   

Brightwell Vineyard, Oxfordshire 

Located just 1 mile north of the historic town of Wallingford and 8 miles south of the city of Oxford, Brightwell Vineyard adjoins the south side of the River Thames. The 16-acre vineyard grows eight different varieties of grape including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Huxelrebe, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir, producing white, rosé, red and sparkling wine. The vineyard also produces its own English Brandy aged in oak casks, one of the first in England. Tours and tastings run from June and continue on most weekends until mid-September. Not much time? You can pop along for the one-hour tour which includes tasting of 3 wines produced from the vineyard. 

Chapel Down, Kent 

Chapel Down is the largest vineyards in the South East with 950 acres under vine and when at capacity will create around 2.4 million bottles per annum. They are one of the first English wineries to feature on the London Stock Exhange and are wine suppliers to many English institutions including English Cricket, Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race, Ascot Racecourse and Turner Contemporary.  Home to the ‘The Swan’ wine kitchen an award-winning 2AA Rosette restaurant, open for lunch Wednesday - Sunday and dinner Thursday – Saturday, along with a brand-new elevated sun terrace which now serves alfresco dishes Wednesday to Sunday from 12 - 4pm. 

Other Wine Tasting Experiences in South East England 

Leonardslee Wine Estate, Horsham, West Sussex – Tutored wine tastings, authentic Sabrage demonstrations, vineyard buggy tours & cheese and wine pairing.  Wines provided from sister vineyard in South Africa.

Thames Valley Wine School, Reading, Berkshire – Offering wine tasting and wine courses in and around Reading including online at home options. 

Brighton i360, Brighton, East Sussex – Enjoy a glass of Nytimber's finest English sparkling wine in the Sky Bar, located inside the gaint glass pod, whilst overlooking the cosmopolitan city of Brighton and reaching 450 feet. 

Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire – Home to one of the largest collections of Chateau Lafite Rothschild wines outside of France. Its historic cellars are included in a visit to the manor house.

The Grand Brighton, Brighton, East Sussex – Pay a visit to the Victoria Bar & Lounge and enjoy a delicious glass or two of Ridgeview, Chapel Down, Bolney or Stopham wines, or try a Sussex wine flight.

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Horsham, West Sussex – There first release of English wine is due in 2024. You can currently experience wines from their sister estate, at Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in Hermanus, South Africa.  

Laithwaites Wine – The knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide you through each wine and share their personal insights with stores across the region. 

The Vineyard at Stockcross, Stockcross, Berkshire - The 18th century hunting lodge cellar contains over 30,000 new and old world wines with each bedroom named after an iconic wine from around the world. 

UK Electric Bike Company, Ashford, Kent – Head out on two wheels and try the award-winning self guided vineyard tour through the quiet lanes of the Garden of England in Kent.   

For more information head to over to our vineyards in South East England!