Gone are the days of hopping on the Eurostar or braving an international flight to enjoy one of the greatest kinds of tourism – a vineyard visit. Now in as little as 40 minutes, Londoners can be amongst the vines and sip through the ever-expanding range of wine made in the UK. Steadily over the last two decades, more wineries have cropped up across the country with an increased focus on welcoming wine enthusiasts and novices alike to their cellar doors and vineyards to discover the full potential of English wine. The concept of homegrown wine is still new and even jarring to many wine lovers in the UK, who hold their strong affinity for wines from classic regions in France and Italy. In establishing themselves as tourist destinations, English wineries not only breathe new life into their local economies but also offer the chance for consumers to have a deeper connection to their wine and understanding of what England has to offer. Join us as we discover two wineries which can be discovered when staying in boutique hotels across the country.
Balfour winery
Since their first vineyard was planted in 2002 on the luscious Hush Heath Estate, Balfour Winery were early trailblazers, as the first English winery to claim gold at the International Wine Challenge for their Balfour Brut Rosé in 2004. A lot has happened since these first vines were planted – new vineyards across 400 acres, new varieties, the introduction of still wines, and notably, they have established themselves as a must-visit winery, just 45 minutes outside of London.
A trip to Balfour Winery feels undeniably and quintessentially English. The winery is nestled in rolling hills in the Kent countryside, in an oasis which invites native flora and fauna to thrive, with the vineyards surrounded by apple orchards, woodlands and wildflower meadow. Balfour is ambitious with their sustainability goals, and a huge part of their mission includes maintaining the rich biodiversity on their land. A visit in June will show their wildflower meadows in full force. The colour speckled fields are a prominent feature of the winery, which prioritises the surrounding nature as much as the vines themselves. The estate can be either explored at your own pace with a self-guided stroll, or Balfour also offers expert-led vineyard explores, for a more comprehensive understanding of the estate’s rich history and to get into the nitty gritty of the vineyard science.
After working up an appetite exploring the nature on Hush Heath estate, the eatery seasonal sharing plates to enjoy while tasting through Balfour’s selection at the cellar door. While they are renowned for their sparkling wines which are crisp and fruit driven, they have more recently introduced still wines to their portfolio. As English still wines are still immerging, the cellar door offers a fantastic opportunity to taste through the range from Luke’s Pinot Noir with notes of fresh cherry to the zippy and zesty Albarino.
Silverhand Estate
Many choose English Wine because it is naturally a sustainable choice due to the proximity of where it’s grown. Silverhand Estate takes this a step further with their steadfast commitment to organic and sustainable farming. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Beauty, they have a dedicated conservation team who maintain the organic practices while supporting the native flora and fauna. Running a completely certified organic operation, meaning they prioritise the health and the soil and the environment in everything they do.
The guided vineyard tours focus on the sustainable and ethical practices, as well as the vineyard’s rich history. Be prepared to meet the sheep who are amongst the most important workers on the estate, simultaneously fertilising the soil, demolishing weeds and scaring off pests. These include and rare local breed, Jacobs, and Kentish breed, Romneys. The estate also raises a rare breed of English Longhorns that help with regenerative farming, as they break up the soil on the pastures to remove unwanted growth and fertilise the land.
To see the full transformation from vine to glass, guided tours through the winery lift the curtain on the winemaking process, where guests can see wine in its true infancy – depending on the timing of your visit, you can even taste the juice directly after press. Then finally, its time to taste the final product. Tutored tastings at the cellar door takes guests through the entire range, to show the difference in winemaking methods, vintages and varieties. The winery produces both Traditional Method as well as a Charmant of England, in both vintage and non-vintage.
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