Group promoting Surrey wine and vineyards launched

With similar groups in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire already in existence, five Surrey wine producers have banded together to launch the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills, covering wineries based in a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The new group consists of five Surrey-based wine producers which include Greyfriars Vineyard, based on the Hogs Back just outside Guildford; Chilworth Manor Vineyard, located on the Chilworth Manor estate which is recorded in the Domesday Book; Albury Vineyard, an organic producer located just outside Guilford; boutique winery High Clandon; and English wine stalwart, Denbies, which is based in Dorking.

To celebrate its official launch on 8 and 9 June, the group has planned activities across all five member vineyards, giving guests the chance to sample the different wines and explore a “secret vineyard trail” at Denbies.

Other activities include live music in the vineyards, an art and sculpture exhibition among the vines at High Clandon, and ‘the battle of Waterloo tasting’ where visitors can sample Surrey wines alongside Champagne.

The wine group has also created a map of the region, which also provides details of how to travel to the area from London or the surrounding counties. All producers are within a 20-mile radius of the capital.

Commenting on formation, Nick Wenman, owner of Albury Vineyard and chair of WineGB South East, said: “England is now internationally recognised as a leading producer of top quality wines. We are proud to be putting Surrey on the map as a premium wine region, offering some of the very best wines and visitor experiences that England has to share.”

Sibylla Tindale, co-owner of High Clandon added: “This initiative not only celebrates our outstanding wines but also the beauty of the five vineyards set within the Surrey Hills AONB. Each vineyard, from boutique to big, has unique offerings in multi-award winning English wines and tours. We want our visitors to delight in wandering through the vineyards, tasting the wines, to learn something new and to really immerse themselves here.”

Most recently, seven wine producers from Kent banded together to form the Wine Garden of England, a play on usual epithet for the county. The Kentish wine group operates in collaboration with tourism body Visit Kent and  provides a website where you can book vineyard tours, accommodation and transport at the same time.

To find out more information about The Vineyards of the Surrey Hills, please visit the website here.