Being the UK's sunniest region and blessed with chalk soil similar to that of the Champagne region of France, it's no surprise that South East England is the Wine Capital of the UK! With many of our award winning vineyards offering 'tours and tasting experiences', the chance to enjoy lunch served with tasty English wine overlooking the vines and even stay the night and wake up to the rolling English countryside.
Known as the 'Wine Capital of the UK' a day out or holiday in the South East is not complete without taking time to visit one of many vineyards that litter the countryside. Whether you choose just to explore the beautiful grounds of one of the many estates, with a wander around the vines, experience a tour, enjoy lunch or even stay overnight there are a wealth of opportunties available.
With new commercial vineyards opening up all the time, South East England is fast becoming a mecca for English sparkling wines with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs granting protected regional status for Sussex sparkling wine. A panel of experts even favoured wine produced by Vineyards from Sussex above champagne in blind taste tests, furthering the county's reputation for the best wineries in England.
With over 140 vineyards to choose from across the South East from large commerical vineyards or small intimate estates, you can enjoy wine tasting and sight seeing tours and even stay within the vines and enjoy luxury accommodation and fine dining to make that special short break or celebration weekend. Visit the many online shops and have English wine delievered to your door, for that special dinner party or get together with friends.
Ridgeview Wine Estate, recently opened The Rows & Vine, the new al fresco, all year-round restaurant overlooking the stunning Chardonnay vineyards on site. The all-weather, outdoor venue with glorious views overlooking the South Downs National Park offers visitors a total wine experience from vine to glass. Serving seasonal tapas-style sharing plates, bringing the best local flavours to life with sustainably-sourced produce taking centre-stage alongside their award-winning English sparkling wine.
The 265-acre Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey, is one of the biggest vineyards in England. It has many award-winning wines and an excellent visitor centre and shop, art exhibitions, restaurants and tours. It also has a Vineyard Hotel with 17 rooms on site, along with a vineyard resturant and bar area.
Newer vineyards are popping up all the time across the South East. Painshill Park, Surrey re-planted their vineyard in the1990's and is now producing an annual harvest which is sold within their shop. Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Horsham has completed is first harvest but its first wines are due for release this year (2023). Mannings Heath Wine Estate, West Sussex offers the perfect collaboration of wine and golf, with 27 holes of golf and tutored wine tasting experiences, its first wine release from its 30 acres will also come this year (2023).
If you fancy yourself as a real wine connoisseur try to visit the South East during the English Wine Week, which takes place from the 18th - 26th June 2023 and attracts visitors from far and wide to a multitude of themed events and special offers. The harvest season, August to October is also an exciting time to visit with some vineyards offering the chance to have a go.
We love our prized vineyards in South East England, especially as many of the best wineries are here in Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire, so there's no need to rush overseas to experience fine wines! Keep up with latest news from around the South East vineyards with SE Vineyard Twitter News
Use the Map View button to find vineyards near you in South East England and a Sussex vineyards map.
Number of results: 12
Vineyard
PULBOROUGH
Awarded Winery of the Year 2018, the beautiful family-run Wiston Estate offers Wine Tours by appointment from their vineyard nestled in the heart of the rolling South Downs in West Sussex. Each tour concludes with a guided tasting of their English…
Vineyard
WALLINGFORD
Brightwell Vineyard was first planted in the late 1980's and acquired by its present owners in 2000. It covers 16 acres and grows 8 varieties of grape including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Huxelrebe, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir.
Vineyard
Dorking
Established in 1986, Denbies Wine Estate is England’s largest single estate vineyard with 265 acres of vines.
Vineyard
Ditchling, Hassocks
Ridgeview was established in 1995 and is renowned as a pioneer in emerging English sparkling wine industry. We offer tours, tastings and corporate hire at our state of the art winery, which overlooks the South Downs National Park.
Vineyard
Horsham
With the collaboration of wine and golf, we are aiming to attract visitors for wine visiting, fine food experiences, with a challenging experience for golfers.
Vineyard
Twyford
English wine made by passionate professionals. A luxury for everyday life.
Since 1979, Stanlake Park Wine Estate in Berkshire combines passion and expertise to produce a wide range of English wines that suits everyone’s needs, including white,…
Vineyard
Tonbridge
Tours at Hush Heath take guests through the magical countryside of the Garden of England, the vineyards, ancient oak woodlands, apple orchards and meadows of our 400 acre family estate.
Vineyard
Polegate
Rathfinny Wine Estate was established in 2010 near Alfriston in the South Downs of Sussex, one of England’s exceptional natural landscapes, with the express intention of producing some of the world’s best sparkling wine.
Access to the Estate is by
Vineyard
Bolney, Haywards Heath
Find out why Sussex sparkling wine has been beating champagne in blind taste tests. Bolney Wine Estate carries a tradition brought to Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.
Vineyard
Tenterden
The best wines in England available in the shop plus excellent local and regional produce. Guided tours during summer, wine tasting and bistro.
Vineyard
Albourne
Albourne Estate is a family-owned boutique vineyard and winery overlooking the beautiful South Downs, just 8 miles from Brighton in the heart of the Sussex countryside.
Event Venue
Reading
We are a local, independent wine, beer and spirits education and events company that specialises in hosting tastings and events in Reading and the surrounding area.