The Surrey Hills vineyards worth a visit this summer
Not so long ago, the idea of a wine region on the edge of Guildford would have raised a smile. Not any more. The chalk that runs beneath the Surrey Hills is the same seam that surfaces in Champagne, and the sparkling wines coming off these slopes now hold their own against the best from France. Best of all, some of them are a short drive from home. Here are the ones I would point a visitor towards this summer.
Seven of them have banded together as the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills, and between them they run tours, tastings, and long, lazy afternoons among the vines right through the season. One word of advice before you set off: some open their gates most days, while others only welcome visitors on a handful of special dates, so it is always worth checking ahead and booking. These five are a lovely place to start.
Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
If you only have time for one, make it Denbies. Set in a great sweep of vines above Dorking, it is the largest single-estate vineyard in England and the best set up for a proper day out: a little train that trundles you through the rows, tours and tastings, a restaurant with a view, and walking trails through the hills all around. Easy, scenic, and a fine introduction to what the region can do.
Albury Organic Vineyard, Albury
Tucked into the valley near Silent Pool, Albury is the romantic's choice: an organic vineyard farmed without chemicals, in one of the prettiest settings in the hills. Beyond the tours and tastings they put on some lovely summer events, moonlight tours, supper clubs, sip-and-paint afternoons, and their own wine festival, so it is worth seeing what is on when you go. The sparkling and the rosé are both a treat.
Greyfriars Vineyard, Puttenham
The closest to Guildford, Greyfriars sits on the chalk of the Hog's Back just to the west of town, near enough that you could almost walk it. It is a friendly, family-run estate known for its sparkling wines, with tours that take you out among the vines and through the winery and finish, as they should, with a glass in hand. A good one for an afternoon that needs little planning.
High Clandon Estate Vineyard, West Clandon
High Clandon is the boutique jewel: a small, beautifully kept estate near Clandon that opens its gates for only a handful of days each year, often paired with an art and sculpture exhibition among the vines. Its sparkling has a cabinet of medals to its name. The open days tend to fall from late summer into autumn, so check the dates and book early, because they are deservedly popular.
Chilworth Manor Vineyard, Chilworth
Just east of Guildford, the vineyard at Chilworth Manor is planted on chalk in the grounds of a historic house with lovely old gardens. It is an intimate, characterful spot for a tour and a tasting, and an easy pairing with a walk in that pretty corner of the hills. A civilised way to spend a summer afternoon.
Making a day of it
If you want to make an occasion of it, look out for Surrey Hills Wine Week, when all seven vineyards throw open their gates together with tastings and one-off events. It lands in late spring, so it is one to pencil in for next year. And if you have friends coming to stay and would like someone to plan a day around the vineyards, or to host a small group and take care of the arranging, that is exactly the sort of thing I love to help with. It is a beautiful part of the world to show off, and the wine, it turns out, is rather good too.