Hattingley Valley Vineyard
Hattingley Valley Vineyard

Hampshire and West Sussex are home to some award winning vineyards, which are flourishing and have earned a reputation for producing English sparkling and white wine to rival European producers.

Viticulture is suited to our local chalky landscape resembling the Champagne region in France. The temperate climate and warm weather enjoyed across the South Downs National Park suits traditional wine making using the classic grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

Hampshire is home to England’s oldest commercial vineyard – Hambledon Vineyard and Hattingley Valley Vineyard can be found in Lower Wield, Alresford, a few miles from our Alton branch. Both vineyards offer guided tours starting in May 2021 up until the harvest in September.

Set in a picturesque rural spot is Trotton Estate Vineyards not far from our branch in Petersfield, on the Hampshire/West Sussex border. It is home to the award winning wines – Spectacular Sparkling, produced at the Hambledon Vineyard and Brilliant Bachus. A perfect day out is to book a Saturday tour and add on a picnic hamper accompanied by a bottle of one of their wines.

Every year the best local vineyards come together for some celebratory events, including ‘Fizz Fest’ in July and ‘Fairy Lights and Fizz’ in December, not forgetting the annual Wine Festival Winchester held at the Guildhall in November. This is when vineyards in Hampshire/West Sussex showcase the best of what they work so hard to produce year in year out. Lucky visitors have an opportunity to sample the best of fizz from winemakers: Black Chalk, Danebury Vineyards, Exton Park Vineyard, Hattingley Vineyard, Hambledon Vineyard, Jenkyn Place, Meonhill and Raimes English Sparkling.

Come to visit: Hampshire is easily accessible by road with quick local access to the A3, M3 and M27 and the South Downs is an hour from London. There are excellent rail links from London Waterloo – Alton 1hr 10 m and Petersfield 1hr.