English Wine Tours

Description

Embark on a day of English wine tasting, exploration and countryside with a group of fellow wine lovers. Regardless of which of the two tours you choose, your day will begin in London Bridge where a knowledgeable tour guide will provide a brief history of English wine since the Roman invasion, the significance of the 1066 Battle of Hastings and the birth of modern English wine in the 1950s. Discover yield and production levels, what grape varietals are grown and even how much money it takes to start a vineyard in England.

Cellar Door English Wine Tour
Delight in more than 11 award-winning English wines with this spectacular tour. There’s no better place to start than Sedlescomble Organic Vineyard — the oldest producers in the UK. It’s here you’ll learn about the story of winemaking including biodynamic winemaking.

Then it’s through the scenic English countryside, across the chalk soil of the Kent North Downs to the North Downs and Chapel Down Vineyard. See the former 15th century shipbuilding port called the hamlet of Small Hythe before exploring the vineyard and learning about English viticulture. Enjoy a guided tasting of a range of English still and sparkling wines before a delicious picnic lunch served with English wine amongst the vines. After lunch, you’ll have plenty of time to savour the beautiful views, fresh air and browse the wine shop.

Meet the producer at Woodchurch Estate — a small and unique vineyard planted in 2009. With 9 acres of vineyard, Woodchurch produce a classic cuvée, a sparkling rosé, a blanc de blancs and a still chardonnay. You’ll enjoy a guided wine tasting with the producer before visiting the wine shop.

English Wine & Cheese Tour
The first stop on this delightful tour is Wayfarer Wines, a family run vineyard totalling just over 8 acres. Enjoy a guided tour before some tutored wine tasting in the vines. Then it’s onto our second stop, Chapel Down Vineyard, for guided wine tasting in the Herb Garden and a picnic lunch of seasonal locally produced food. You’ll have plenty of time after to enjoy the spectacular views and shop in the heavenly Chapel Down Shop.

The final stop of this tour is Silcocks Farm, where you’ll learn about the cheese making process at Silcocks Dairy. The pièce de résistance is a magnificent pairing of 6 English wines and 6 English cheeses. What a truly perfect way to end your winemaking adventure.