Wishing you could nip off to the South of France to sip wine at sunset? While we can’t always promise you the warm weather, we can recreate the next best thing right here in the UK at Denbies Wine Estate, the Surrey vineyard that’s revolutionising English wine.
Home to 627 acres, with around 200 acres of woodland, Denbies is one of the largest wine producers in the UK, and boasts a wealth of varieties from plump Pinot Noirs to light and fruity sparkling wines. Ahead of our event at the weekend, we’ve taken a look around to see what the countryside estate is all about.
Rich in family history
Founded by Sir Adrian White back in 1984, Denbies Wine Estate has since been owned and managed by the next generation White family, and is now an award-winning producer of some of the UK’s greatest wines. Over the years the estate has welcomed members of the Royal family, so it’s no wonder that Denbies has become renowned for its wide range of grapes and wines on offer.
You’ll find the estate harvesting grapes throughout the year, producing everything from reds and rosés to whites and sparkling options.
Breathtaking views over the estate & the North Downs
We love London but sometimes it’s nice to escape the chaos, and Denbies is the perfect getaway from it all. Just a quick 50 minute train ride away from the big smoke, the estate is simply beautiful. Located on the picturesque North Downs of Dorking, Surrey, it’s the largest vineyard in England, set in 627 acres of gardens, farmland and woodland.
Head here to lose yourself in the magic of the great outdoors, as you roam the estate, learning about the crops and sipping wine at every corner.
You can look out over the vineyard while you dine at their on-site restaurant, sipping on sparkling wine from the estate. It’s hard to believe you can soak up views this beautiful so close to London.
Relaxing tours across the estate
No visit to Denbies is complete without a wine tour, and the estate is home to a few options. Soak up the sights by booking an outdoor vineyard train tour, a chance to see stunning viewing points in the vineyard and learn more about the local area or there are special afternoon tea tours too, paired with sparkling wine and views overlooking the vines from the Vineyard Restaurant. The train tours offer something really unique and a great way to explore the space fully in a day.
When the weather is looking a little temperamental, you can book in for an indoor tour, learning more about the working vineyard, its geology and history, all while tasting a selection of their award-winning wines.
A celebration of local produce
Finish off your countryside trip with a visit to one of their on-site restaurants. The Gallery Restaurant, located on the third floor of the winery, looks out over the 265 acre vineyard, and offers locally sourced produce, while the VineYard Restaurant serves up seasonal dishes in the evening with views out over the estate. Expect dishes such as ham hock terrine, piccalilli, mixed leaves and crostini; spinach, mushroom and truffle pie with mash, spring greens and jus; and Eton mess.
For alfresco dining, look to the Conservatory Restaurant for a menu that champions produce from the south-east region.
Picture this: rolling hills, sunset scapes over the vineyard and sparkling wine on cue. This is what you can expect from a trip to Denbies Wine Estate.
