How To Celebrate English Wine Week

Forbes

7 days ago

A Union flag flies above Exton Park vineyard in Southampton, England. Getty Images
English Wine Week is underway, and this year's theme, 'Create New Traditions,' feels increasingly relevant. Premium sparkling wines are consistently emerging from the chalky slopes of southern England, and wine lovers are taking them very seriously, increasingly convinced they can compete with Champagne for prestige and glamour. From weddings and Sunday lunches to garden parties and casual aperitifs, English fizz is no longer a curiosity, it deserves its place in the social calendar.
During English Wine Week (21–29 June 2025), wine lovers can immerse themselves in a host of events across the country, from vineyard tours and tastings to winemaker dinners and pop-up experiences. Many estates across Southern England are opening their doors to guests, with guided walks, barbecues among the vines, live jazz, and even vintage-bus tours between producers on the agenda.
A look at the stats suggests it's going to be a busy week. Visits to UK vineyards have seen steady growth, with WineGB's latest Wine Tourism Report recording a 55% increase over the two years leading up to 2024 - totalling 1.5 million visits to vineyards and wineries in the past year alone. The upward trend shows no signs of slowing, driven by the growing reputation of English wine and the continued expansion of cellar door experiences across the country.
Visitors to Balfour winery. Saltwick Media
Restaurants and bars are offering English wine pairing menus, while national and independent retailers are all running promotions in their own way. Whether you're sipping sparkling in the sun, exploring a vineyard trail, or discovering the growing stable of award-winning wines, this week is the perfect time to celebrate and support England's fast-rising wine scene. Virtually every winery in the country is doing something, but you can see a full program of events throughout the week here.
Here are some other ideas and stops worth checking out. Restaurants with an outstanding English wine list
The stunning interiors at Woven by Adam Smith at Coworth Park is one of the greatest place to indulge in England's best bubbles. Woven by Adam Smith / Cowarth Park
Set within the elegant grounds of Coworth Park in Berkshire, Woven by Adam Smith offers a confident expression of modern British cooking. The interiors are understated, and thoughtfully designed, providing a calm and polished backdrop to a menu driven by seasonal ingredients and technical precision. A carefully curated English wine list complements the food, with producers like Danbury Ridge featured by the glass and in half-bottles - offering both sophistication and strong value. English wines are fully integrated into the tasting menu, from lively local sparklings to a refined Sussex Blanc de Blancs, each pairing selected to echo the flavours and textures of the dish. It's a considered and immersive dining experience, where English food and wine are presented at their most articulate.
The Clove Club in Shoreditch has English wines going back to the 90s in their cellar. The Clove Club The Clove Club
The Clove Club is one of London's most refined and forward-thinking restaurants, celebrated not only for its elegant, ingredient-led tasting menus but also for its exceptional wine list. For those curious about the evolution of English sparkling wine, it's it's an opportunity to explore the category's legacy. The cellar includes rare back vintages from pioneering producers like Nyetimber, with bottles dating back to the early 1990s, offering a glimpse into how these wines age. Things have improved a lot since then of course. You'll also find older vintages from Roebuck Estates and Gusbourne, each showcasing the depth, complexity, and ageing potential that English sparkling can now command. It's a fitting setting to appreciate just how far the country's wine industry has come and drink important wines with some of the best ingredients and cooking in the British isles.
The Gallivant has a wonderful English wine list. The Gallivant The Gallivant
The Gallivant at Camber Sands is a boutique coastal retreat that combines laid-back luxury with a deep-rooted passion for English wine. Just steps from the sweeping dunes of East Sussex, the hotel offers a relaxed, beach-house feel with a distinctly British sensibility. What truly sets it apart, however, is its extraordinary wine offering—the largest English wine list in the country. Each evening, guests are invited to take part in the hotel's signature 'English Wine at Five' ritual, where a rotating selection of local sparkling wines is served by the glass in the lounge, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere.
The restaurant places English wine front and centre, with a carefully curated list that celebrates the diversity and quality of producers across the country. Sommelier-led pairing suggestions and tastings are regularly offered for those looking to explore more deeply. With nearby vineyard visits available and a team passionate about sharing the story behind each bottle, The Gallivant is more than a place to stay—it's a coastal gateway to the vibrant world of English wine.
The Vineyard Hotel & Spa near Newbury is a wine focussed hotel and alongside a changing selection of English wines, boasts a cellar of 30,000 bottles. The Vineyard The Vineyard Hotel
The Vineyard at Stockcross, just outside Newbury in Berkshire, is a five-star hotel and spa with a celebrated restaurant - all built around a genuine passion for wine. Set within an elegant 18th-century former hunting lodge, it offers refined accommodation and award-winning dining beneath a domed skylight, surrounded by an impressive collection of original artworks. At its heart is an extraordinary wine cellar, home to around 30,000 bottles and over 100 wines by the glass, including a carefully curated selection of leading English still and sparkling wines. A well informed team guides guests through the menu, and and is keen to provide recommendations. Just 90 minutes from London, The Vineyard is a great weekend retreat combining relaxation and quality food with thoughtful wine experiences.
The interiors at The Ivy. © Jake Eastham The Ivy
The Original Ivy is a West End institution, where Art Deco glamour and classic British charm create the perfect setting for a glass of English bubbles. With its polished wood panelling, vintage mirrors, and pressed white tablecloths, the décor alone makes it a fitting place to enjoy a bottle of. Nyetimber's homegrown fizz, alongside their well-loved menu of elevated English comfort food. Pair it with the Dorset crab. Perfect for dining before a show, the Ivy combines style, heritage, and a gently patriotic drinks list in the heart of London's theatre land. Other cool spots
A growing number of top restaurants and hotels are embracing English wine with conviction. At Hide in Mayfair, owned by Hedonism Wines, diners enjoy access to one of the most expansive cellars in the country - everything in the Hedonism shop is available at the table, including their strong English selection.
Meanwhile, in Covent Garden, La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels has a chic but casual vibe. It is known for an extensive, and frankly, exceptional curation of Champagne and Burgundy. Yet tucked among the French classics is a small but thoughtful English wine choice. Wiltshire's Domaine Hugo is the current fizz selection, and there is also a rather cool 'Many Moons' Chardonnay Pinot Blanc field blend from the clays soils of the Crouch Valley in Essex. So if you're feeling a bit provocative, you can pop in here for a cheese board and a few proud glasses of vins anglais.
The Pig hotel group has also emerged as a champion of English wine, offering extensive and thoughtfully curated list across its various properties. At their South Downs site, the list features over 50 English wines, enhanced by knowledgeable input from the team. The Pig has even partnered with Sugrue South Downs to produce its own bottles - such as the 2018 Pig Reserve and Lobster Shed Pink Rosé - from a small vineyard parcel known as the Alpaca Block. With a dedicated 'Friends of The Pig' category, highlighting rising stars like Northbrook Springs and Bee Tree Vineyard, the group offers guests an immersive, vineyard-to-glass experience. Five recommendations for English sparkling wines
Viticulture in the UK can be traced right back to day of Roman rule, with evidence suggesting a tradition of wine drinking that predates even that. The Domesday Book of 1086 records 42 vineyards across England and Wales and references 'Nitimbreha', the namesake of Sussex producer Nyetimber. While the practice of grape cultivation is far from new, the modern UK wine industry remains relatively young.
Nonetheless, it is expanding steadily: there are now over 700 vineyards across Great Britain, with new plantings continuing each year. In 2019 alone, three million vines were added, bringing the total vineyard area to just over 3,800 hectares. Annual production remains highly variable, shaped by the challenges of a marginal climate—ranging from 5.9 million bottles in the frost-affected 2017 vintage to 15.6 million in the exceptional 2018 harvest. These fluctuations are a reminder that, however sophisticated the winemaking, vines remain subject to the same agricultural vulnerabilities as any other crop.
Blanc de Blancs 2019 by Gusbourne
Gusbourne's Blanc de Blancs 2019 is a pure expression of English Chardonnay, crafted exclusively from grapes grown on the estate's clay and chalk-rich vineyards in Kent and West Sussex. Produced only in selected vintages that offer both ripeness and precision, this wine is a benchmark for English elegance and finesse. The nose opens with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and white blossom, carried by a fine, persistent mousse. The palate is taut and focused, with crisp citrus, ripe pear, and hints of toasted brioche and crushed oyster shell. A saline edge and vibrant acidity drive a long, precise finish. With its clarity, poise, and ageing potential, Gusbourne's Blanc de Blancs 2019 is a standout among English sparkling wines.
Tillington Single Vineyard 2016 by Nyetimber
Nyetimber's Tillington Single Vineyard is a low-production cuvée made only in exceptional vintages, showcasing the distinctive character of one of England's most celebrated vineyard sites. Made predominantly from Pinot Noir (73%) with a touch of Chardonnay, and matured for nearly a decade, it is a true expression of place. Fine, elegant bubbles carry lifted aromas of raspberry, red apple skin, and rose petal. The palate is textured and refined, unfolding in layers of orange zest, raspberry, apricot, and marzipan, with opulent fruit and complex biscuit notes lingering on a long, mouth-watering finish. This is one of the finest English sparkling wines available today.
English Brut Rose NV by Louis Pommery
A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in the chalk rich soils of Hampshire, the Louis Pommery Brut Rosé is a beautifully quaffable cuvée. It's made at the Pinglestone Estate in New Alresford, where head Winemaker Will Perkins works in close collaboration with Clément Pierlot, Champagne Pommery's cellar master. This wine's charm lies in the bright notes of strawberry and citrus, while a fine mineral edge accompanies crisp, easy drinking freshness.
Rose de Noirs 2016 by Ridgeview
Ridgeview's Rosé de Noirs 2016 is a limited-release sparkling wine made using the saignée method from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, crafted only in exceptional vintages. It pours a distinctive peach-gold hue, with fine bubbles and fragrant aromas of redcurrant, summer berries, and honey. The palate is expressive and vibrant, offering bright notes of strawberry and cherry layered with hints of orange, cranberry, and delicate biscuit. A soft, creamy texture and rounded mouthfeel lead into a long, elegant finish. This is a poised and characterful English rosé sparkler that balances depth, freshness, and finesse. Pair it with strawberries and smoked salmon canapés.
Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2020 by Camel Valley Vineyard
Camel Valley's 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut is a beautifully balanced traditional method Cornish sparkling wine made from estate-grown Pinot Noir. Founded in 1989 by former RAF pilot Bob Lindo, and now a proud holder of a Royal Warrant, Camel Valley is one of the key references in English wine's success. The estate's rosé shows a delicate salmon-pink hue with fine, persistent bubbles and opens into fragrant aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and floral honey. On the palate, vibrant red fruits merge into a brioche-like richness, supported by crisp acidity and a soft mousse. Very easy to like and a charming summer party fizz.
Bacchus grapes growing at Fox Hole Vineyard in West Sussex. London Cru Wines A new era for Bacchus
What about still wines? Over the past decade, English wine producers have deepened their understanding of Bacchus, a grape once seen primarily as a workhorse for crisp, grassy whites. Through careful site selection, canopy management, and refined winemaking techniques, growers have learned how to coax more complexity and ripeness from this variety, even in England's marginal climate. The result? A new wave of peachy, aromatic Bacchus wines that retain their signature freshness but now show layers of ripe stone fruit, elderflower, and soft citrus. In warmer vintages, some expressions even flirt with the texture and perfume of a cool-climate Viognier, marking Bacchus not just as England's answer to Sauvignon Blanc, but as a grape with a voice of its own.
Bacchus by London Cru (West Sussex):
London Cru's Bacchus from Foxhole Vineyard is a vibrant, cool-climate expression of one of England's most promising white grapes. Grown on just 0.3 hectares of carefully tended vines in West Sussex, this limited-release wine (only 1,200 bottles made) delivers zesty aromas of grapefruit, candied lemon peel, and gooseberry, underpinned by subtle smoky notes. The palate is crisp and mouth-watering, with green apple, lime, and a whisper of oak adding creaminess and depth. Hand-harvested and gently vinified, it's both gastro friendly and dangerously quaffable - perfect with oysters.
Bacchus by Three Choirs (Gloucestershire):
A beautifully fresh, expressive Bacchus showcasing vibrant peach, lime, and subtle herbal notes. Crafted via cool fermentation with a touch of lees aging for extra complexity, it finishes crisp and clean. At around £16–19 per bottle, it's a refined yet accessible example that highlights the varietal's peachy charm
'Kit's Coty' Bacchus by Chapel Down (Kent):
This wine offers a crisp and expressive take on Bacchus, with bright citrus, elderflower, and a clean mineral backbone. Produced in Kent, one of England's key wine regions, it captures the grape's aromatic charm while maintaining a refreshing clarity. Chapel Down's attention to detail in both vineyard and winery lends this Bacchus a polished, modern style.
Bacchus by Lyme Bay Winery (Devon & Essex):
A vibrant expression from fruit blended from both Devon and Essex, Lyme Bay's Bacchus offers lively green fruit and citrus flavours, with just enough ripeness to evoke peach and passionfruit notes. Has energy and depth, and those comforting notes of English hedgerow.