Five fabulous vineyards are putting Surrey Hills wines on the map. Sophie Farrah toasts their joint summer spectacular...
Forget the South of France – if links in the lime and sandstone chain. You’re pining for a long summer. Yet despite their convenient proximity and days spent vineyard-hopping, each beautiful vineyard has something to offer, such as sipping wine in the sun, which is very different to offer, and this month’s head for the Surrey Hills. Vineyards of the Surrey Hills Summer: a world-class wine route and tourist destination created to celebrate the excellence of the vintage produced there.
Here, just 20 miles south of London, Spectacular has been designed to lie a cluster of five family-owned vineyards, each producing internationally award-winning wines in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Together, they have formed Vineyards of the Surrey Hills: a world-class wine route and tourist destination created to celebrate the excellence of the vintage produced there.
From Greyfriars in the west, near Guildford, to Denbies outside Dorking in the east, barely 15 miles separates these links in the lime and sandstone chain. Yet despite their convenient proximity, each beautiful vineyard has something very different to offer, and this month's Vineyards of the Surrey Hills Summer Spectacular has been designed to showcase just that.
Event details
To celebrate the start of English Wine Week (June 15-23), this two-day wine- and vine-filled event takes place over the first weekend (June 15-16). From vineyard tours and tastings with renowned English wine experts to taste- offs, tempting street food, live music and more, there is plenty to keep your glass full. Sip and see! Further info: surreyhillsvineyards.co.uk.
Nearby festivals
john powell
Albury Organic Vineyard Wine Festival
Silent Pool, Shere Road, Albury, GU5 9BW; alburyvineyard.com
Having dreamt of owning a vineyard for 40 years, Nick Wenham finally planted Albury in 2009. One of the very few vineyards in the UK to follow biodynamic principles, it’s tucked away next to the Silent Pool beauty spot, about four miles from Guildford. Celebrating its 15th year, the Albury Wine Festival takes place on Saturday, June 15, with vineyard tours, tastings, access to a new wildlife walk, and more.
Renowned English wine expert JohnMobbs, founder of GreatBritish Wine, will host tasting sessions of wines from all five Vineyards of the Surrey Hills (£25pp plus entry), while guided vineyard tours (£12.50pp plus entry) offer the chance to learn about Albury and enjoy the glorious views.
A pop-up bar will be fully stocked with Albury wines, and there will also be English cheese and charcuterie, plus artisan food from local producers The Pizza Oven and Moooh! Ice cream.
Outdoor seating is limited, but bringing your own rugs and/or fold-up chairs and sitting amongst the vines is positively encouraged! Tickets (£15pp) include entry to the vineyard with access to the self-guided vineyard tour and wildlife walk, a glass of Silent Pool Rosé (or soft drink) on arrival and a branded Albury glass to take home. Albury will also be open for walk-in visitors on Sunday (June 16).
Mick Rock
Autumnal vineyard of High Clandon Estate, on the North Downs at Clandon Downs. Near Guildford, Surrey, England.
High Clandon Estate Vineyard Festival
East Clandon, Guildford, GU4 7RP; highclandon.co.uk
Celebrating its 20th year, this boutique vineyard produces a single vintage sparkling wine each year. Home to the beautiful Glass Barn for tastings and art exhibitions, High Clandon boasts an extensive wildflower meadow with spectacular views across the Surrey Hills towards London. The Summer Spectacular open days will enable visitors to enjoy a glass of Gloriana Cuvée whilst exploring the idyllic gardens.
Charismatic owners Sibylla and Bruce will host a ‘Battle of Waterloo’ taste-off, pitting Surrey Hills sparkling wines against French Champagne on Saturday. There will also be the chance to try sabrage – an exciting technique for opening a champagne bottle with a sabre!
In addition, the weekend will act as a preview of High Clandon’s ever-popular summer event, Art & Sculptures in the Vineyard, which takes place in July and raises money for local charities every year.
Denbies Wine Estate Festival
London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA; denbies.co.uk
Just north of Dorking, Denbies is one of the largest single-estate vineyards in England, making multi-award-winning sparkling and still wines that compete internationally. It’s set to host Summer Spectacular events all weekend alongside its usual plethora of wining and dining options.
On Saturday (June 15), visitors can embark on a special Vineyards of the Surrey Hills Wine Tasting Trail (£75pp, 3 pm & 6 pm), which begins with a guided adventure on the estate’s brilliant wine train.
Enjoy a leisurely ride through the 265 acres of vines, stopping at the viewpoint to enjoy the breathtaking panorama, a glass of the vineyard’s award-winning sparkling wine in hand. Back at the Vineyard Terrace, a Denbies WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) expert will host a tasting of wines from all the Surrey Hills vineyards.
Cheese and nibbles included. Separate 50-minute train tours will also take place throughout the day (adults £10.95 or £15.95 with a glass of sparkling wine; children £5.50; book in advance), as well as indoor wine tasting experiences (adults £16.50, children £5.50).
On Sunday (June 16 – Father’s Day), pizza, wine and beer will be available on the lawn in front of the striking chateau-style Denbies visitor centre, while local singer/songwriter Luke Edney is scheduled to perform live.
JA Skelton
Chilworth Manor Vineyard Festival
Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth, Guildford, GU4 8NN; chilworthmanorvineyard.com
The youngest of the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills, Chilworth was established in 2013. It produces terrific sparkling wine and an elegant still rosé from its gently sloping, highly sustainable 10-acre site at Chilworth Manor – a stunning house and estate with an extraordinary 1,000-year history.
Just in time for the Summer Spectacular, the vineyard is set to open its brand new Watch House Tasting Barn, which overlooks the vines and the North Downs beyond.
On Saturday (June 15), visitors can relax with an afternoon and early evening of music, sparkling wine and delicious street food and enjoy tours of the new barn.
Greyfriars Vineyard
The Hogs Back, Puttenham, GU3 1AG; greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk
Established in 1989 on the Hogs Back between Guildford and Farnham, Greyfriars produces a range of award-winning still and sparkling wines.
It plans to run Summer Spectacular tours all weekend (starting on Friday evening, June 14), to include a tasting of Surrey Hills wines. Self-guided tours and wine tastings will also be available for those not on pre-booked tours, plus talks on the vineyard’s beehives and tastings with honey beer producer, Hiver. Saturday brings a jazz band, street food and ice cream to accompany the wines.
For more, read our list of the best wines to sample and try at the festival.
