The short answer
Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire make most of England’s wine and have almost all of its bookable vineyard tours. They’re all within about two hours of London. Essex, the Cotswolds, Devon and Cornwall have fine vineyards too, but you’ll mostly visit those under your own steam.
The regions at a glance
| Region | Known for | Vineyards to know | Bookable tours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex | Sparkling wine on South Downs chalk | Nyetimber, Ridgeview, Rathfinny, Wiston | Many |
| Kent | Sparkling wine and Bacchus | Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Balfour, Squerryes | Many |
| Surrey | Closest to London | Denbies, Albury, Greyfriars | A few |
| Hampshire | Where modern English wine began | Hambledon, Hattingley Valley, Exton Park | A few |
| Essex | Warm, dry Crouch Valley | New Hall, Dedham Vale | Book with the estate |
| Chilterns and Henley | Boutique vineyards near London | Small family estates | A few |
| Cotswolds and Gloucestershire | Still wines | Three Choirs | Book with the estate |
| Devon, Somerset and Bath | Small estates, often with cider | Swanaford, Wellhayes, Lyme Bay | A few |
| Dorset | Small coastal estates | Langham | Book with the estate |
| Cornwall | Sparkling wine in the Camel valley | Camel Valley | Book with the estate |
The south-east
The chalk that lies under Champagne runs beneath the Channel and comes up again as the North and South Downs. That, and a climate that has warmed over the past few decades, is why English sparkling wine now wins awards against the French.
- SussexThe widest choice of tours, by vintage bus, minibus, e-bike or on foot. Brighton is the natural base. Sussex was the first English region to get its own protected designation of origin, in 2022.
- KentChapel Down, one of England’s biggest producers, is here, along with the most day trips from London.
- SurreyDenbies near Dorking is under an hour from London by train.
- HampshireHome to Hambledon, planted in 1952, and a quieter scene around Winchester.
Further afield
These regions have excellent wine but fewer tours you can book online. For the rest, plan to drive, nominate a non-drinker, and book tastings with the estates directly.
- EssexThe Crouch Valley is one of the driest, warmest parts of England, and grows grapes for many producers elsewhere.
- The Cotswolds and GloucestershireThree Choirs, near Newent, is one of England’s longest-established vineyards, with a restaurant and rooms.
- Devon, Somerset and BathSmall estates, many alongside cider orchards. Swanaford and Wellhayes in Devon run tours, and there are tastings in Bath and near Bristol. A tasting fits easily into a beach holiday.
- The Chilterns and HenleyA cluster of boutique vineyards north-west of London, with guided tours from Amersham and Henley.
- Yorkshire and the northVineyards grow as far north as Yorkshire, and you can join a cellar door tasting in York.
- CornwallCamel Valley, near Bodmin, made its name with sparkling wine and has been winning awards since the 1990s.
Questions people ask
Where is most English wine made?
In the south-east: Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. These counties have the chalk and greensand soils and the warm, dry summers that suit sparkling wine grapes.
What is the best wine region in England to visit?
Sussex or Kent, for the number of vineyards open to visitors and the choice of tours. Both are easy to reach from London.
What grapes are grown in England?
Mostly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the Champagne grapes, for sparkling wine. Bacchus is the best-known grape for still white wine.