QUESTIONS TO ASK ON A WINERY TOUR
Q: How can I identify the different varieties of grape in the vineyard? Why ask? It’s satisfying, if a tad geeky, to be able to tell a chardonnay vine from a pinot noir, say, and it’s mainly done by the shape of the leaves. Ask for pointers.
Is this year a good one for the grapes and how can I tell? Why ask? Each vintage (harvest year) is different and your expert should be able to explain how the year is panning out by looking at the evolution of the grapes.
What are the natural threats to vines in England? Why ask? It’s not all sunshine and roses – tales of the challenges and difficulties in grape growing, even natural predators, will add colour to your tour.
Q: Do you use oak barrels in your winemaking and if so, what do they add to the wine’s character? Why ask? Not many English wines are oaked, but those that are may have distinct aromas and flavours – find out more.
Can I try any other vintages of this wine? Why ask? It’s fascinating to chart the evolution of a particular wine – a winery is where you might just get to taste older releases (no harm in trying…)
Can I buy a voucher for friends to do a future tour? Why ask? Vineyard tours may be busy now, but many wineries have faced serious hardship this year and will be keen to attract visitors well into the autumn, and next spring. day you should get good views of the Pennines.
Barley Hill White, an aromatic, off-dry blend.
Beverley Road, South Cave, Brough, Yorkshire HU15 2BB; 01430 424755; littlewoldvineyard.co.uk
£20, Sat, Sun and Weds at various times detailed on website.
HUSH HEATH ESTATE, KENT
With 400 acres of vineyards, meadows, orchards and ancient oak woodlands, Kent’s Hush Heath doesn’t want for space. Do a self-guided tour of the estate at your own pace (map provided, no need to book; £5 to include three wine samples), or a guided tour and tasting with a one hour vineyard walk then sampling of six wines, ciders or beers (£30). The Balfour Wine and Dine Experience is essentially a day out, and includes fizz, a vineyard and winery tour followed by a three-course lunch with matching wines.
Balfour Brut Rosé, an elegant, crisp pink sparkler.
Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 0HT; 01622 832794; hushheath.com
£125, 11am-4pm Fri-Sun.
STANLAKE PARK WINE ESTATE, BERKSHIRE
For old-world charm, it’s hard to beat Stanlake Park, a farm estate since the 12th century within Windsor Great Park. The winery is in a 17th-century Reformation barn. Unusually, you taste the wines as you go on the guided tour of winery and vineyard, which lasts two hours and includes six samples.
The Reserve Red NV, a fruity light red made from Dornfelder grapes.
Twyford, Berkshire, RG10 0BN; 0118 934 0176; stanlakepark.com
£20, Sat and Sun 11am and 2pm; Fri 2pm. The cellar shop and wine bar are open until 7pm in August.
BOLNEY, WEST SUSSEX
Pre-order a picnic box to enjoy among the vines in one of Bolney’s new, socially distanced picnic areas, or take a guided “Taster Tour”, visiting vineyards and tasting five wines with matching cheeses (£20). The “Grand Gourmet” tour offers more detail plus a twocourse buffet of local produce, five wines and a nip of Bolney gin (£45). The Eighteen Acre Café has a particularly lovely balcony with vineyard views.
Estate Bacchus, a crisp, herbaceous, dry white.
Foxhole Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 5NB; 01444 881894; bolneywineestate.com Taster Tours, Tues -Sun at 10am and 4.30pm; Grand Gourmet tours, 12.30pm Tues-Sun.
SHARPHAM ESTATE, DEVON
Sharpham, both a winery and dairy, is on the beautiful banks of the River Dart (you could travel there by boat). An independent walk and wine tasting is £7 (£10 with cheeses) or join the greatvalue 90-minute guided tasting for an informal tutored tasting of four wines, two cheeses and vineyard entry. “Vine to Wine” is a longer tour including the winery with an expert guide (£20). Sharpham’s al fresco Cellar Door café is a gem.
With 400 acres of vineyards, orchards and ancient woodlands, Hush Heath doesn’t want for space
Sharpham Pinot Gris Wild Ferment, made with natural yeasts and minimal intervention.
Totnes, Devon TQ9 7UT; 01803 732203; sharpham.com Guided tour, £12.50, Mon to Sun, 11am and 3pm; Mon and Sun 11am; Vine to Wine, £20, Tues, Sat and Sun 3pm.
DENBIES, SURREY
Denbies, in the Surrey Hills, is the UK’s largest single-estate vineyard at 265 acres and all geared up for tourists. There’s a winery train, which takes visitors at a leisurely pace to a scenic spot for an optional glass of bubbly (the “Vineyard Tour”, £8.95/£13.95 with fizz). The “Courtyard Wine Tasting Experience” includes a film about the estate at the in-house cinema, before an alfresco tasting (£14, including a Denbies glass to keep), while the “Secret Vineyard Trail” is a 90-minute guided walking tour of more secluded areas of the vineyard and a tasting (£25). Times are varied; see website for all the details.
Denbies Noble Harvest dessert wine, a delectable, luscious treat.
RIDGEVIEW, SUSSEX
A specialist in premium (champagne method) sparkling wines, Ridgeview is in the picturesque South Downs National Park and has a pretty Wine Garden area with tables and parasols as well as picnicking spots in the vineyards. Order a picnic hamper or platter of local food, or book to join the Classic Tour, a guided stroll through the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of one wine with several more served informally in the Wine Garden.
Ridgeview Bloomsbury, a creamy, citrus-laced fine fizz. Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common, Sussex, BN6 8TP; 01444 242040; ridgeview.co.uk Classic Tours, £20, Fri 5pm; Sat and Sun 11am and 3pm.