Three Cheers for English Wine

Three Cheers for English Wine

It was International Wine Awards time again this week, another year where accolades of medals are handed out to the wines that tickled the judges fancy. Most years a plethora of medals are awarded to wines bottled under multiple labels (Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference etc), as well as the usual plethora of French and Australian wines. Seeing as they enter the most wines for judging it is no surprise. One does wonder if the wines being entered by these giants are in fact what is finally or has been put in the bottle, or am I just being cynical.

Anyway, hurray!! A fantastic year for awards to English wines. A reflection of the strides forward the industry has made in a short period of time. Proving that we have the capability, the right climate, soil and desire. No longer are we a laughed at being a backwater wine producing country, as each year passes our wines grow in respect. Indeed possibly too much as much of the land in the south and south east seems to be falling into Johnny Foreigner’s hands. As a cynic it may be the case that the land and vineyards that are bought by French interest might be a sign that Champagne may not be all it’s hyped up to be?

So the English awards tally was great – 24 medals, 1 Gold (Camel Valley Bacchus), 4 Silver, 7 Bronze and 12 Commended. Out of that 4 were for red wines, this is very interesting. Whilst the awards were for Rondo, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir, I would expect Pinot Noir to continue to develop here and in the not so distant future we will be challenging New Zealand’s Pinot achievements. 13 awards for sparkling wines, they don’t get better anywhere in the world!

A big big well done to Camel Valley, Chapel Down, Whickam Vineyards, Astley Estate, Sharpham Vineyards, Ridgeview Vineyards, Carr Taylor Vineyards, Balfour Estate and anyone else that I may have forgotten.

We all need to be drinking more English wine, it’s clean, fruit driven, made locally and you know where it’s come from, cheers!

White Clover English Vineyard Experience

March 28th, a lovely day out in the heart of Sussex and Kent. A nice group had gathered for this superb tour, at Pelham House in Lewes for their pre-vineyard experience croissant and coffee. Amongst the group was Simon Majumdar of Dos Hermanos, the world's biggest food blog, we were honored.

Carr Taylor Vineyards are set in rural East Sussex just past the historic town of Battle, 1066 and all that. Established by David and Linda Carr Taylor in the late 60's they were the first to win Gold in France, beating the French at their own game. Since then they have gone from strength to strength and continue to produce great Sparkling wine, still white wine and a range of superb fruit wines.

Despite the threat of rain and occassional drop we ventured into the vineyard to get a close look at the vines. Although not much to see as yet, some early buds are showing after the winter prune, it is these small harmless looking buds that lay the foundations of this year's crop of grapes and resultant wines. After the vineyard and winery tour we ventured upstairs into the tasting room where we sampled no less than 6 wines including some great fruit wines. The tasting was fun, informative and tasty!

From East Sussex we ventured into Kent, just past the lovely town of Tenderden onto Biddenden Vineyards. Again another family set up established in the late 60's who actually lay claim to producing some the best ciders in the UK. We were only just into the vineyards when the heavens opened and like frightened rabbits we scampered back to the shelter and sanctuary of the tasting rooms. The wines are quaffable and of a good standard although it has to be said that where Biddenden do excell is with their ciders, which were sampled in full!

We ventured home, back to Lewes in the afternoon, many fell asleep in a pleasant wine filled slumber. Decanted and laiden with their complimentary bottle of wine as well as vineyard purchases all went on their merry way home.

Vineyard Escapades Forth Coming - Easter Weekend, two half day experiences which include an afternoon at Carr Taylor, Saturday 11th April and Easter Sunday at Plumpton Race Course for a superb trip to the gee-gees. In May we are promoting 3 unique experiences in promotion of English Wine Week and these can be viewed online at www.englishvinetours.co.uk

Taylor & Shroff English Wine & Curry

Another great wine tasting event, presented by English Vine Tours to Healy's solicitors in Brighton. Many many thanks once again to Miss Victoria Reagan for organising the event, also present was the great John Healy himself and Spofforths Accountants.

The first part of the event was a fun blind wine tasting where certain similar wines were covered and all participants had to guess what was what. Most did well but once again the surprising outcome of this tasting was the overwhelming enjoyment of English Wines. We sneaked in a quality English Sparkling wine as well as a dry table wine and tasted them next to an own brand Cava as well as a New World Sauvignon Blanc.

The 2nd part of the evening was matching curry and spicy foods with wines. Whilst most wines tend not to match the great British curry, there is a new wine soon to be launched in the UK to change all this. Taylor & Shroff wines, produced by Carr Taylor in East Sussex, are currently only being offered into India. However they shall soon be available within the UK. Being stripped of tannins and high acidity the wines are part fortified giving them a higher alcohol level and residual sugars. Additionally blending into the base wines some fruit. Taylor & Shroff Ginger Wines, Apricot Wine, Red are three within the range that matched the hot and spicy foods amazingly well. Even the heat from the lime pickle disapated and the flavours opened up magnificently.

The initial hesitation was son left asunder as the wines were guzzled along with the Bombay Potato, Spiced Lentil, Naan Breads and chillies. An amazing success all round.

John & Vicky Enjoying Taylor & Shroff (wines for curry)

Whilst production of these superb and unique wines for the UK market place is not as yet in place, there is some stock for private consumption available from English Vine Tours at £11.95 a bottle. However we hope that we can start to get them placed in all our favourite Indian restaurants towards the end of April-ish! Once again many thanks to all at Healy’s, especially Anita who was a start throughout!

English Wines For Weddings

A few of our more affordable English wine favourites that would go down really well at any function including weddings...ahhh this makes me crave the warmth of a typical English sunny afternoons :)

Carr Taylor Vineyards, Battle East Sussex
Carr Taylor 1066 Off-Dry Aromatic White @ £5.99
Carr Taylor Alexis Dry White - £6.99
Carr Tayor Dry Rose - £7.49
Carr Taylor Sparkling Brut - £11.95
Prices quoted from their website. Orders can be placed at Carr Taylor's online store.

Sedlescombe Organic Vineards, Cripps Corner East Sussex
Sedlescombe Dry White - £9.95
Sedlescombe Organic Rose - £9.95
Sedlescombe Sparkling Bodium Brut - £17.95
NB Sedlescombe Organic are doing a great wedding offer: 20% off on 60+ bottles ordered - bargain! Orders can be placed online at Sedlescombe Organic's Online Store

For an another amazing English sparkling wine alternative to Champagne try
Breaky Bottom Brut (famously served at the G8 summit held at Gleneagles) - £18.95

For more tasting notes check out our 'Organic English Wine' Blog and 'Recommended English Wine & Tasting Notes' on our website.

Oz & James Drink to Britain and Visit Sussex Vineyard

In case you missed it, view the final episode of Oz & James Drink to Britain BBC iPlayer until 3rd March

Briefly Oz & James visit the chalky soil of Sussex which boasts characteristics similar to that of Champagne. Heading off to Breaky Bottom vineyard to meet one of the pioneers of English sparkling wine, Peter Hall, Oz sets James the challenge of picking out the English sparkling wine in a blind tasting.

They also pay a visit a winemaker Dermot Sugrue (former winemaker at Nyetimber), an exciting talent in the English wine industry. Dermot has established a new winery on the Wiston Estate, on the South Downs of West Sussex using equipment imported from France, including a vintage Champagne press. We're eagerly awaiting his first production!

Learn About The English Wine Industry Today

There is a quiet revolution evolving across England’s vineyards. No longer the subject of derision, English wines, particularly English sparkling wines are standing up to and even beating hands down their rivals in Champagne at blind tastings across Europe.

The UK is one of the largest export markets for Champagne but this may be set to change with English sparkling wines winning numerous awards. Tim Atkin, chairman of the International Wine Challenge awards, told The Independent in 2007 "English wine is finally showing that it should no longer be regarded as a cottage industry but as an industry which can produce world-class wines."

A warmer climate, especially across the southern counties, years of hard work and dogged enthusiasm, winemakers are reaping the fruits of their labour. Today, there are around 400 English vineyards across Kent, Hampshire, Essex and Sussex. Wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd in their ‘Future of Wine’ Report in 2008 believe the amount of English farmland devoted to wine production may rival that of France by 2058.

No longer confined to the recesses of quirky independent wine merchants, the supermarkets are now offering a good selection of English wines including award winners from Estate’s such as Breaky Bottom. Sussex (Gold Medal Winner in the South East Vineyards 2008) and Chapel Down Winery, Kent (IWSC silver medal 2008).

In addition there is now the opportunity to visit many of the vineyards across the South-East, walk through the vines, learn about the inner workings of a winery and taste the wines in production. English Vine Tours is a unique company providing these wine tour experiences across Sussex and Kent.

English Vine Tours have a desire to bring the beauty of the English vineyards and the delights of English wine to a wider audience. Their aim is to promote the English wine industry, celebrate English producers and allow everyone to truly experience the production and effort that it takes to produce a bottle of English wine.

Valentine's Day Wine Tour Experience

Well the weather turned out nice, a relief!

English Vine Tours joined forces with the superb country hotel - Newick Park, Newick, East Sussex for a superb Valentine’s Day Experience. Alice and Richard, whizzed down from south London in their mini-coupe and checked into the hotel for 2pm. Collected in an executive vehicle they were whisked off to Carr Taylor Vineyards near Battle in East Sussex.

We toured the vines, described the grape varieties grown, the English weather and how things are done in the vineyard. Following the vineyard tour we entered the winery and took a good look at all the various pieces of equipment used in the making of still wines as well as sparkling wines. Gaining in knowledge they felt comfortable now to tackle the hard part- the wine tasting.

We sampled dry whites, off-dry whites, rose wines and sparkling wines. Feeling brave we then went on to sample the estate’s award winning fruit wines, which were enjoyed by all. Upon completing this superb experience we drove slowly back to the hotel where waiting in their room was a chilled bottle of sparkling English wine, Sussex chocolates and a dozen red roses. At this point we left our clients in peace to enjoy their stay, 4 course meal and all the comforts offered by Newick Park Hotel.

Our next vineyard extravaganza weekend is an Easter Weekend English Wine Tour set at Pelham House in Lewes, coupled with a half day vineyard tour on the Saturday afternoon followed by an afternoon at Plumpton Races. To book this experience call up Pelham House in Lewes - 01273 488 600, or check our website - www.englishvinetours.co.uk

In the meantime there's still places left on the White Clover One Day Wine Tour to an East Sussex and a Kent Vineyard on Saturday 28th February 09.

Follow the path from grape to glass and book your English vine tour today!

5 Activities Involving English Wine

We're busy working on our schedule for special day wine tour experiences. We've decided to list our best 5 and would love some feedback as to which one is the most appealing.

1. English Wine Tour & Golf Day/Weekend - tour and taste the wine at an English vineyard, followed by lunch and a round of golf.
   
2. English Vineyard Walks & Trails - walk amoungst the vines, taste the wine and walk onto another vineyard. We'll take any purchases back to the central meeting point for you.
3. English Vineyard Tour & Art Workshops - tour and taste the wine, have lunch and spend an afternoon amongst the vines painting guided by a professional artist.
4. English Wine Tour & Helicopter Rides - instead of taking the mini-bus, drop down into the vineyard for a wine tasting via a helicopter.
5. English Vineyard Tour & Horse Racing - tour the vineyard, have lunch and spend the afternoon at the races for a flutter - £5 tote voucher included.

Email us with your feedback and suggestions

White Clover One Day Maiden Wine Tour Success

On Saturday 24th January we successfully completed the first English Wine tour of its kind, the ‘White Clover’ one day wine tour. Eight participants were picked up in Lewes after they enjoyed coffee and croissants at a local hotel and driven in a private minibus to Carr Taylor Vineyards, East Sussex. We were lucky enough to be accompanied by winemaker David Carr Taylor, who established the vineyard more than 30 years ago. He guided the group on a lively tour through the vineyards and winery and then treated the group to a tutored tasting of 5 wines including Carr Taylor’s Sparkling Vintage Brut and Elderberry Wine.

After a light lunch, participants were driven to Biddenden Vineyards and Cidermakers in Kent to enjoy another tour of the vineyards, winery and wine tasting. Participants were driven back to Lewes where they received their gift of a complimentary bottle of wine and organic hand made chocolates.

At English Vine Tours we're aiming to promote English wine as a viable alternative to wines from around the world, in addition to developing England’s vineyards as a favoured tourist destination to both a national and international audience. David Carr Taylor, who has been an outspoken supporter said of English Vine Tours that ‘you will not get a better chaparone than Ben and Georgie’

We would like to extend our thanks to all of you who joined us on the day and couldn't think of a nicer bunch of people to accompany on the English Vine Tour's 'maiden wine tour'!

The next wine tour is described as ‘a wine tour with a difference’: ‘Red Hot poker’ Special Day Wine Tour will take place on Monday 23rd Febraury. Participants will begin the day with a tour, tasting and lunch at Plumpton College in East Sussex. The group will spend an afternoon at Plumpton Racecourse and the price includes a welcome drink, access to the premier enclosure and a guided tour of the course. It promises to be a fantastic day and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Phew the Calendars are Ready!

Phew the calendars are done! My head is awash with dates, times and the logistics of organising a years worth of vineyard tours. You can now take a look at the provisional dates for 2009 but I hasten to add that they may change (unless marked as confirmed) as we bring on board more vineyards and special packages.

Fortunately thanks to 'Oz & James Drink to Britain' there's never been a better time to motivate a nation into celebrating our UK booze and drinks industry. If J & O ever get over being grumpy old men (endearingly so I hasten to add) I'm not sure I believe they will ever be able to find a drink that defines a nation like Britain today. How can they when the quality that makes us so interesting and at times eccentric in the UK, is our diversity.

What has become apparent is the Characters out there dedicated to making great British grog and how they go about doing it, which is fascinating. Whilst personally I don't believe you can define a nation by any one thing, there is something totally unifying about 'having a drink'. (Now I hasten to add that this is not about getting plastered or throwing up in a gutter - quite the opposite).

Let's face it we don't really need all these different drinks. We need food as fuel, we need water to keep us hydrated and everything else is superflous. However having a 'drink' is about pleasure and sensation: the variation of taste, texture, colour and the memories they can invoke. I'm talking about those times when you meet a mate in the pub, pop open a bottle of wine with you girlfriends or just sit, relax and quietly contemplate the end of another day. That's what I love about wine, beer drinkers love about beer, apple juice lovers about apple juice....You stop and think, you become aware of the sensations in your body, your palate, even the smells can take you back to that wonderful holiday you had years ago. Or the day you fell in love or perhaps even fell out of love but had a great night with your friends instead.

Personally my favourite drinking memory came after abstaining from alcohol and pasturised cheese for 9 months before my second son was born. Only moments after the birth I revelled in a glass of Cortefigaretto Amarone and a humungous slice of Dolcelatte cheese - in fact I could have bathed it in given half the chance and I can still taste that moment to this day.

I'm thirsty, fancy a drink anyone?

Now Accepting Paypal

We're keen on keeping our online customer experience as smooth as possible. We're now accepting online payment via Paypal

The calendars are also in the process of being updated and we're working on some really exciting new packages. We'll be adding a newsletter facility soon to keep you up to date with our news and tours and forward on feedback from our customers. If you would like any further information call us 01273 483312 or email to subscribe info@englishvinetours.co.uk

White Clover Wine Tour Places Available

The tension and excitement is building as we approach the first English vineyard tour for 2009 on 24th January! White Clover includes a visit to a Sussex winery for a tour, wine tasting and lunch followed by lunch. Participants will then be whisked away to a Kent vineyard for another tour and wine tasting.

We've discounted the ticket price by £20 to only £79 per person. For an entire day's activity that includes lunch with wine, complimentary tea and coffee and a gift at the end of the day, transport to and from the meeting point in Lewes, that's a bargain we say!

Call us today to book your place 01273 48 33 12.

Organic English Wine

Owner, wine maker and gentleman Roy Cook established this organic estate about 20 years or so ago and both him and his partner Irma are at the forefront of organic English viticulture today. The estate is managed with minimum interference, rustic looking and Roy and Irma’s office is a converted old caravan. Set in the beautiful East Sussex countryside their wines speak for themselves.

Sedlescombe Organic Sparkling Bodiam Brut - £17.95
100% Seyval Blanc. A wonderful lively moussed of small elegant bubbles. A creamy and yeasty nose, followed through onto the palate. Notes of citrus, cream and buscuits. Delicious!

Sedlescombe Organic Rose - £9.95
Made from Solaris and Regent grapes.
Crisp, clean with summer berry bouquet and great stuffing on the palate. Youthful tannins and a long finish on this wonderful dry rose English organic wine.

Sedlescombe Organic Sparkling Rose Pinot Noir - £24.95
88% Pinot Noir and 12% Kerner. Dark purple in colour with a wonderful red berry and cherry nose. Great mousse and concentration on the palate that lingers and lingers. This is arguably one of the very best English sparkling rose wines that we have ever tried.

Sedlescombe Organic Dry White - £9.95
From the heart of Sussex, Sedlescombe are at the forefront of organic English wine production. Small production family run estate. Made from Reichensteiner, Bacchus, Rivaner, Kernet and Regner grapes.
A citrus, crisp and clean refreshing and elegant dry white from England.

For purchase information visit www.thesussexwinecompany.co.uk

Keep it Local, Keep it British

With the now all too familiar impending doom on the high street, in the financial markets and general baa hambug around at the moment, it would be all too easy to throw our hands up in the air and feel pretty darn down in the dumps. It's easy to feel powerless to stop this rollercoaster of doom and according to the pundits, it will get worse before it gets better. I say NO!

Are we a nation of whingers or are we going to get up and do something, no matter how small. I believe we are the former and as a fan of John Wayne I believe in the concept of 'true grit'. It's hard out there, there's no denying it but expecting someone else to pick up the pieces or roll over and just not care anymore, won't do. Yeap I'm ranting but as a parent, a business owner and a consumer I'm only too aware of job losses, price increases, stealth tax, greedy energy suppliers, cynical bankers et al.

We can all do something to help our economy right now, we can support British business, British produce, local suppliers and community. Farmers markets, delivery schemes, high street shops, it's there for the taking. Don't 'just pop out to the supermarket', who stand to make the most out of the recession as we all look for the cheapest option. They are ripping us off more than anyone and couldn't give a damn.

In our fight against the big brands and superstore b******ds who have ripped our economy to shreds and destroyed our sense of community and identity we constantly seeking new and interesting companies, sites, people who are working for posiive change. Here's a few useful sites we have found recently...

http://www.choosebritish.co.uk - a nice resource with potted history articles and information about all things British from actors and musicians to cars and food.
http://www.bigbarn.co.uk - find all your local producers here.
http://www.localfoodshop.co.uk - buy from your local food producers online.
http://www.naturalcollection.com - green and gorgeous stuff to buy, In November the clever people at the Natural Collection launched Ooffoo, currently a beta site, we think it promises to be a fantastic resource for the future. It's an "eco space where it's FREE to swap, sell, give away, recycle and share ideas with like-minded people". Check it out http://www.naturalcollection.com/natcolnew/Marketplace/marketplace.aspx
http://www.ecoescapemembers.co.uk - shaping the future of sustainable tourism in the UK and Ireland. It's all about connecting ideas, people and places.
http://www.eatingbritain.com - a UK food site with some useful articles about....food actually.
http://www.uniquescrapstore.com - a social enerprise, this online scrap store has all sorts of bits and bobs at cheap prices rescued from a fate in the landfill. As a parent of little ones the PVA glue at £3.40 (ex VAT) is a winner. They run a membership scheme that could be useful for teachers or those running community projects when you need to buy in bulk.
http://puredesigncompany.co.uk - fab eco products made from recycled stuff, making great gifts for Christmas. The jewellery made from discarded vinyl records look excellent.
http://www.tescopoly.org - growing evidence indicates that Tesco's success is partly based on trading practices that are having serious consequences for suppliers, farmers and workers worldwide, local shops and the environment.

Recommended English Wines and Tasting Notes

Whilst promoting English wine and English vineyards it's become apparent that many people are unaware that English wine is a force to be reckoned with and seen perhaps as more of a gimmick. In fact we've even had people saying that they didn't even know that England could be considered a wine producing country.

So what's the fuss about English wines then? Thanks to the onset of a warmer climate, more experimental winemakers and brave open minded wine retailers, English wines should be a definite on any wine lovers 'must taste' list.

Here's a few wines we've tried to get you started. Many of these wines can be tasted on a number of our wine tours packages. For inquiries on how to buy the following English wines, contact The Sussex Wine Company 01273 477 205.

Carr Taylor Vineyards, East Sussex
Alexis Dry White - £9.95
A lovely fresh and clean refreshing dry white from East Sussex.

Bookers Vineyards, Sussex
Dark Harvest Red – Bronze Medal Winner - £9.95
Still fresh with some noticeable acidity. A medium bodied dry red wine, lots of red fruit flavours and hints of tannin in the background. Lovely red fruit aromas with hints of leather. Complimentary oak notes. Very elegant. Purple/Ruby in colour. A very easy drinking wine. Made from a blend of Dornfelder and Rondo grapes.
Autumn Spice White - Bronze Medal Winner - £9.95
Lovely aroma with hints of lychee and floral notes. In the mouth there is a lovely balance between crisp acidity and rich floral, grapefruit and spice character. The wine is light to medium bodied. Made from a blend of Muller Thurgau, Reichenstiener, Schönburger and Wurzer grapes.

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyards, East Sussex
Dry White - £11.95
Roy Cook's ancient Gothic recipe has created a Reisling-style English Wine. A lively young wine with a zesty grass and elderflower aroma, hints of honey and grapes and a clean crisp finish.
Regent Red - £11.95
A bold, medium-bodied red matured in barrique oak barrels for 5 months. Robust colour, smokey, fruity bouquet, loaded with blackberry and raspberry fruit flavours, ample tannins and oaky complexity.

Nutbourne Vineyards, Sussex
Sussex Reserve - £12.95
Made from a blend of Nutbourne grapes, this is a dry, fragrant wine with delicate fruit - perfect as an apertif or with lighter meals.

Biddenden Vineyards, Kent
Gribble Bridge Ortega Dry White - £9.95
Crisp, medium dry wine produced from the Ortega Grape. To enjoy this wines fresh fruity character and off dry style, it is best served slightly chilled as an aperitif or with pasta, poultry, seafood and salad.

Follow The Path From Grape to Glass - English Vineyard Tours NOW BOOKING!

It's official, we've launched and we're taking bookings. After a fantastic evening at The Sussex Wine Company portfolio tasting at the Needlemakers in Lewes, we took this opportunity to tell this fine bunch about the English Vine Tours exclusive service.

We tasted some fab English wine too including those from Plumpton College Estate (tasting notes to follow), Breaky Bottom and Carr Taylor wines. We were lucky enough to have David and Linda Carr Taylor join us for the evening too. We really appreciate their encouragement and support on the English Vine Tours project. Olly Smith also joined us and again would like to extend our thanks to him for coming and supporting this super event.

So now we're looking to January 2009 to get the ball rolling and get out amongst the vines. Celebrate the New Year: never mind the dark cold days because you'll never cease to inspired by just being in the vineyard.

For January we have a couple of great tours including Heath Speedwell Half Day Wine Tour to Carr Taylor Vineyard in Sussex. For only £49 you will all the usual benefits of transportation to and from the vineyard, a tour, tasting, lunch and complimentary bottle of wine.

Also we've running a super offer on the White Clover One Day Wine Tour for only £79 (reduced by £20! per ticket). Visit Carr Tayor vineyards and then go onto Biddenden vineyards in Kent.

All information can be found at www.englishvinetours.co.uk or call us 0273 48 33 12

Make Your Own English Wine

'Grapes of Good Hope', is an article that appeared in this weeks Sunday Times (9th November) reporting the boom in English winemaking. What's great is that maybe, just maybe, with a warmer climate and a little bit of investment we may well be producing the winemaking superstars of the future and become a recognised and respected wine producing country across the world.

English sparkling wines have received the most rescent positive PR and just remember, it was an Englishman, Christopher Merret who introduced the first receipe for sparkling wine to the Royal Society in 1662 - 30 years before Dom Perignon.

Peter Hall of Breaky Bottom, Lewes talked about the boom in English winemaking in the ST article: “In the past three years, something extraordinary has happened...People with money from the City are getting into it – it is strictly sparkling wine that has caused this lift off." If there is anyone left in the City with money to invest, "it will be an important addition to agriculture."

To view the whole Sunday Times article click here.

English Wine Tasting 2009

A date for your diary:
English Wines & English Sparkling Wines. A selection of Sussex wines with English Cheeses, 16 Market Street, Lewes on 12th February, 7-8.30pm. Featuring Plumpton College Vineyard wines. £25.00

Tickets can be purchased from The Sussex Wine Company.

Launching English Wine Tours

The English Wine Industry has been somewhat overlooked in the not too distant past. Yet English wine from vineyards such as Bookers, on the Bolney Wine Estate and particularly sparkling wine from artisan winemaker Peter Hall at Breaky Bottom has received some great PR lately. Not only are the English vineyards set within some of England finest countryside they are run enthusiastically and passionately by foolhardy winemakers who have made it their life's work to make these wines work.

We thought it was about time to bring attention to this wonderful industry and boy, are we excited!
At English Vine Tours we're giving the public the opportunity to visit some of England's finest vineyards, taste the delights of English wine and enjoy the beauty of the English countryside. Half day, 1 day, 2 day wine tours are available all accompanied by a wine expert from English Vine Tours and driven in a private minibus. We're also offering special day wine tours which will include the tour of a vineyard, wine tasting and lunch before being taken to the horse races for a flutter or perhaps even the opera.

This venture is clearly about promoting the English wine industry but also local produce, local business and our homegrown talent. It's about celebrating England and supporting our local economy when the global one has let us down so badly!

Welcome to English Vine Tours