Alfresco dining and English wine tasting at Balfour Winery

Balfour Winery

Tonbridge, Kent

Vineyards and Wine Tasting

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Being the UK's sunniest region and blessed with chalk soil similar to that of the Champagne region of France, it's no surprise that South East England is known as the Wine Capital of the UK!  Home to over 140+ vineyards across the destination, you won't have to go far to explore one.  Discover jaw dropping landscapes, deliciously refreshing English wines, informative tours, tasty lunches, and even the chance to stay the night, and wake up to the view of the vines. 

Where are the vineyards in South East England

Vineyards thrive in every county in South East England and their numbers are continuously increasing. The chalk-rich soil, gentle sloping countryside and abundant sunshine make the destination a prime spot for wine production. Sussex, Kent and Hampshire boast the highest concentration. South East vineyards come in all shapes and sizes, some welcome visitors for tastings and tours, whilst others offer accommodation, others focus solely on production, selling through the cellar door or organised outlets. Taste your way around the destination and uncover the top wine producers in UK who craft some of finest award-winning English wines the UK currently has to offer.

English Wine Week 

For wine connoisseurs a must-visit time is during the English Wine Week, happening from the 21st - 29th June 2025. The week draws visitors from near and far with its themed events and enticing special offers, with the chance to visit many of the vineyards and experience a tour, wine tasting, lunch or dinner.  Its also a great time to visit a local restaurant, many will be pairing English wine with delicious food to create a night to remember. The harvest season, August to October is also another great time to visit with certain vineyards offering the chance to participate firsthand. 

Vineyards near me

Take a look and discover some of the best vineyards in the UK. From some of the newest vineyards to the largest in the South East, from Sabrage demonstrations to vineyard picnics, you'll find a whole host of different ways to enjoy a visit this summer.

  • Balfour Winery, Tonbridge, Kent
    Situated on the Hush Heath Estate, Balfour Winery is a 400-acre family-owned estate in the heart of the ‘Garden of England’, Kent, with vast ancient woodlands, vineyards, apple orchards and wildflower meadows. With family values at its core, Balfour Winery combines conservation with an unrivalled spirit of hospitality and generosity. 
  • Painshill, Cobham, Surrey
    This Surrey vineyard was re-planted in the 1990's on the site of an historic vineyard, it is now producing an annual harvest which is sold exclusively within their shop and online.
  • Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey
    Set in the heart of the Surrey countryside, the vineyard runs an extensive event calendar with regular wine tasting experiences, it has its own vineyard hotel in a breath-taking location amongst the vines.
  • Bolney Wine Estate, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
    Located on the edge of the stunning South Downs and offering tasty Sussex Cheese and wine tasting tours and wonderful wine gift sets. It is also home to the stunning Eighteen Acre Café with its viewing balcony overlooking the ripening vines.
  • Leonardslee Family Vineyards, Horsham, West Sussex
    A new Sussex vineyard, located inside the Grade I listed ornamental garden. 37 acres of vines where planted in 2017/2018, the first harvest was in 2020, they are due to release their first sparkling wine in 2024.
  • Oaken Grove Vineyard, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
    Producing award winning English white and rosé still and sparkling wines, the vineyard is surrounded by ancient woodlands and set in the stunning Chiltern Hills and is home to host of exciting music events.

Gorgeous Vineyard Hotels

If you want to stay overlooking the vines then head to Denbies Vineyard Hotel in Dorking, Surrey or to Wiston Estate in Pulborough, West Sussex, where you can book a stay in the brand new Pump House from July. Leonardslee Wine Estate, in Horsham, is the perfect collaboration of wine and golf. There first wine release from its 30 acres will also come next year (2024), currently wine tasting is from its sister vineyard in South Africa.

If you are looking for ultimate wine experience, then try The Vineyard Newbury, its a wine lovers dream. With rooms called Atrium, California, Oakville and Calistoga Suites after iconic wine from around the world, to a cellar that holds 30,000 new and old world wines and a 90+ page wine list to choose from what's not to make you happy!  With a gorgeous spa and gourmet restaurant to complete the package, an escape to The Vineyard Hotel, Stockcross is the complete bubble.

Other accommodation options with wonderful wine experiences include the The Grand, Brighton which serves fantastic English wine flights in the Victorian Bar and Lounge,The Five Arrow in Aylesbury, part of the Waddesdon Manor with its historic wine cellars and Rothschild wine tasting experiences. Leonardslee House which is set in the heart of the Grade I listed gardens with access to the vineyard for wine tours, with tastings from their vineyard at Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, South Africa.  Whilst The Goudhurst Inn is owned and managed by Balfour Winery and is located a short drive from the vineyard.  

Wine Tasting Experiences in South East England

Wine Tasting near me

Use the Map View button to find a whole host of wine tasting events including the option to enjoy wine tasting at home, wine tasting courses and Sussex vineyards tours.  Plus no matter where you are staying in the South East, you can use this tool to find the local vineyard and wineries near to you. 

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Number of results: 46

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  1. Ridgeview Wine Estate

    Type

    Type:

    Vineyard

    Ditchling, Hassocks

    Ridgeview was established in 1995 and is renowned as a pioneer in emerging English sparkling wine industry. We offer tours, tastings and corporate hire at our state of the art winery, which overlooks the South Downs National Park.

  2. 'A Taste of Denbies' Sparkling Vineyard Trail & Gallery Dinner

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Dorking

    Enjoy the summer evening commencing with our Outdoor Vineyard Train tour, your evening commences with an Outdoor Vineyard Train tour, offering spectacular views of the vineyard, overlooking Box Hill and Dorking. Sparkling wine will be served during…

  3. Leonardslee Wine Estate

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Course

    Horsham

    With breathtaking views and stunning landscapes, Leonardslee Wine Estate is home to a 37-acre vineyard, following sustainable practices, with the first release of wine in June 2024. The estimated production of 125,000 bottles of sparkling wine…

  4. Local Winery Tasting (English Wine Week)

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Reading

    It's time for our annual local wine tasting. I spend some of my days wandering from vineyard to vineyard to sniff out the best there is on offer.

    Quality wines are made in vineyards stretching from Yorkshire to Cornwall and the Thames Valley…

  5. Denbies One Day Wine Enthusiast Workshop

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    Type:

    Other

    Dorking

    What better location to learn and appreciate the world of wine than Denbies Wine Estate, England's largest vineyard. Denbies One Day Wine Enthusiast Workshop will cover all aspects of wine tasting and appreciation, grapes varieties and wine regions…

  6. Thames Valley Food and Wine Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Shillingford Road, Wallingford

    Food and Drink Festival featuring Local Producers from the Thames Valley region. Live music and relaxed seating in a beautiful vineyard setting. Lots to taste with several wine producers. Also featuring 'The Big Welly Wang'; come have a hoot and…

  7. Denbies Summer Spectacular - English Artisan Tasting on the Lawn

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Dorking

    Join us for an informal afternoon of tastings from local producers, in and around the Denbies Estate.

    Including:
    Wine from the Surrey Hills Vineyards
    The Gin Kitchen
    Dorking Brewery
    Chimney Fire Coffee

  8. Summer Dining Club Music Sessions

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Tonbridge

    oin us at our Balfour Dining Club to enjoy an evening of live music and our delicious seasonal menu for July.

    These intimate performances from our favourite musicians will complement your evening of exceptional food and Balfour wines.

    Arrive at 7…

  9. Father’s Day Pizza, Pinot & Pints on the Lawn

    Type

    Type:

    Father's Day

    Dorking

    Celebrate Father's Day in style at Denbies Wine Estate with our Pizza, Pinot & Pints event! Treat dad to a delicious freshly-made pizza, paired perfectly with our award-winning Pinot Noir or a refreshing pint of local craft beer.

  10. WSET Level 1 Award in Wine Stanlake Park

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Reading

    The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 Award in Wine (formerly known as the Foundation Certificate) is an ideal starting point for anyone who is considering embarking on a professional career in the drinks industry or those with no…

  11. Ridgefest

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Ditchling Common, Ditchling

    Set amongst the vines with panoramic views of the beautiful Sussex countryside and South Downs beyond, this unique location offers you the perfect backdrop to a day of live music with HEADLINE ACT'S PROK FITCH & NO LIMIT STREET BAND, sumptuous…

  12. Taste with Laithwaites IN STORE

    Type

    Type:

    Speciality Shop

    READING

    Chat about and enjoy at your local Laithwaites store. Fabulous styles that give you a real taste of what our customers are enjoying most right now

  13. Friday Night Supper Club - Chef Dan Matthews

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Albourne

    We are very excited to be welcoming back the hugely talented chef and local resident, Dan Matthews for his incredible barbeque. After experiencing his fantastic cooking at our Feast over Fire event in 2021 he is returning for two dates for this…

  14. Brightwell Vineyard

    Type

    Type:

    Vineyard

    WALLINGFORD

    Brightwell Vineyard was first planted in the late 1980's and acquired by its present owners in 2000. It covers 16 acres and grows 8 varieties of grape including Bacchus, Chardonnay, Huxelrebe, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir.

  15. Festive Wine & Food Pairing Evening

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    ALBOURNE

    Introducing our Festive Wine & Food Pairing evening on Friday 8th December, 7pm to 10pm. Join us for an unforgettable evening of Albourne Estate wines perfectly paired with festive nibbles. Taste through 5 of our favourite wines, all expertly…

  16. Friday Night Supper Club - The BBQ Project

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Albourne

    Joining us for the very first time at Friday Night Supper Club are The BBQ Project. Bringing their innovative style of bbq cooking using only fresh and local ingredients served from JOAN, their lovingly restored vintage Citroen van, The BBQ Project…

  17. The Grand Brighton

    Type

    Type:

    Hotel

    Brighton

    The Grand Brighton is an iconic Victorian hotel standing centre stage on Brighton’s famous seafront. Grand in both its size and its looks, this magnificent hotel is the epitome of luxury and is enriched in British history.

  18. An Evening of Jazz and wine with Ian Shaw and Claire Martin

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Tonbridge

    We are delighted to welcome two of the most respected and internationally acclaimed jazz singers Ian Shaw and Claire Martin for an intimate and truly special evening of world-class jazz at the winery.

    Be welcomed at Balfour Winery with a glass of…

  19. Friday Night Supper Club - Safari Pizza

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Albourne

    The Friday Night Supper Club veterans are back! Safari Pizza return to Albourne Estate for three dates this Summer – 26th May, 14th July and 25th August. Come and join us for a relaxed evening of local wine and a delicious African inspired wood…

  20. Waddesdon Manor

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Aylesbury

    This National Trust property houses the Rothschild Collection of art treasures and wine cellars. It also features spectacular grounds with an aviary, parterre and woodland playground, licensed restaurants, gift and wine shops.