In recognition of English Wine Week, Local Food Britain raises a glass to four of our favourite vineyards. Cheers!
Albury Organic Vineyard is situated on the southern slopes of the North Downs in the beautiful Surrey Hills.
Originally planted in 2009 by owner Nick Wenman, the vines are the traditional Champagne varietals of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from which the expert winemakers produce premium quality sparkling and rosé wines.
And very timely for English Wine Week, the vineyard is popping a cork to celebrate two new accolades for the Blanc des Noirs: prestigious Gold awards from Decanter and the Independent English Wine Awards.
Its latest delightful offering is the 2021 Silent Pool Rosé, which can be enjoyed along with the Blanc des Blancs, Classic Cuvee and Blanc des Noirs at a series of outdoor events this summer.
Opening with A Little Night Music – Songs from the Shows on July 26 & 27, the Music in the Vineyard programme also includes Cocktails and Swing (August) and Jazz Among the Vines (September).
One of Surrey’s longest established vineyards Denbies Wine Estate is also making the most of its sumptuous setting, delicious wines and summer sun with its Brunch & Bubbles event that happens every weekend until the end of August.
Brunch & Bubbles takes place in Denbies ‘Wine Library’ which opens out on to a lovely landscaped garden that offers splendid views of the vineyards beyond. It costs £59 per person and includes a four-course tasting brunch with dessert and coffee, paired with a flight of five of Denbies award winning sparkling wine. Not only that but you will be given tasting notes and a tasting glass to take away.
Mike and Hilary Wagstaff took over the 25-year-old Greyfriars Vineyard in 2010 and have extended it from the original one-and-a-half-acre site to over 40 acres of expansive vines.
Today the venue, situated just off the Hog’s Back near Guildford, produces a number of award-winning wines, including a series of new releases: Yvonne (a blend of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay that has been ‘crafted to create a light delicate, fresh but aromatic white blend’); the Greyfriars Rose (which is a blend of 12 different wines) and the 2016 Cuvee Royale (produced with a selection of the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes picked in 2016).
You can sample some of the vineyards finest at Vino Vinyasa - Yoga and Wine Tasting which will be held in conjunction with Ebb & Flow Yoga Studio on July 22.
Biddenden Vineyards in Kent has a great range of wines available, all featuring grapes grown on the estate that are then hand-picked, pressed and bottled on site. Run by the Barnes family, it produces a wonderful limited edition Rose Magnum which makers says is ‘ideal for sharing’. Created using a blend of Dornfelder and Orgega grapes, it is a ‘fresh and crisp rose with a hint of English strawberry’.
The vineyard, in Gribble Bridge Lane, is open for tours – both self-guided and guided – which include a tasting flight of three wines. There is no need to book and follow shop open hours of 9am-5pm (weekends vary) and cost £10 per person.
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