9 minute read
Sipping into Luxury Vineyard Hotels
Wine and dine at England’s most celebrated luxury vineyard hotels
1. Rathfinny, Sussex
SIP WORLD-CLASS SPARKLING WINE WITHIN THE SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPE OF THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK
Set on a stunning south-facing slope in the South Downs, Rathfinny is a family-run, 600-acre, B Corp–certified wine estate, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest English sparkling wine. The wines are created from a single-estate Sussex vineyard and crafted using low intervention, traditional methods where the climate, chalk soil and aspect work in harmony for a true expression of the terroir. Dream Escape will organise every element of your stay, from the seasonal vineyard tour and tasting to food pairings at the Cellar Door. Discover the Tasting Room for a three-course lunch, overlooking the winery or the Flint Barns for relaxed, seasonal dining. The Flint Barns B&B and private rental cottage provide an authentic vineyard experience; set in historic buildings that have been thoughtfully restored with a contemporary aesthetic for the perfect homefrom-home in the heart of Sussex winelands.
2. Tinwood Estate, Sussex
ENJOY AWARD-WINNING SPARKLING WINE FROM AN ELEVATED VINEYARD LODGE IN SUSSEX WINELANDS
Located three-miles from the sea, at the foot of the South Downs, Tinwood Estate is a family-owned farm with 110 acres of vines, producing a superb range of sparkling wines. Vineyard tours and tastings invite you to explore the estate while learning about the winemaking process. Combine a tour with a Sparkling Afternoon Tea, a vineyard picnic or a roast Sunday lunch. Arranged by Dream Escape, there’s also the opportunity to take part in a yoga class amid the vines. Eight luxe vineyard lodges blend effortlessly into the natural landscape, with floor-to-ceiling doors leading onto a private deck for unrivalled views across Tinwood’s vines. A stone’s throw away is the vineyard’s Tasting Room, a large open terrace and The Vineyard Kitchen, serving British tapas-style small plates, created with local ingredients, designed to be shared and paired with award-winning Sussex varieties.
3.Tillingham Winery, East Sussex
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE HOME OF BIODYNAMIC WINES ON A WHOLESOME FARMSTEAD
Situated close to pretty Rye, Tillingham Winery is a biodynamic wine producer and holistically-managed farmstead, rooted in the East Sussex countryside. Set within 70-acres of rolling hills and ancient woodland with far-reaching views, it’s a superb spot for tours and tastings. The farm dates back to the 13th century and features flourishing vineyards and fruit trees, 11 rooms in the former hop barn and two sophisticated bell tents during summer months, each with their own private terrace, log burner and firepit. It’s a peaceful environment to immerse yourself in the landscape and connect with nature. Enjoy a fivecourse garden menu in the Michelin Green Star restaurant, showcasing produce from the walled garden; or sample the wood-fired pizza in the Barn, washed down with a glass of Tillingham’s bright and creamy Col ’22.
4.Wild Escapes, Hampshire
RECONNECT WITH NATURE FROM A SUSTAINABLYDESIGNED TREEHOUSE
Soak up Hampshire’s dreamy vistas from a luxury treehouse, ensconced in the biodynamic woodland of Black Chalk vineyard in Hampshire. Wild Escapes have created four beautiful, sustainably-designed treehouses, offering guests the utmost in understated luxury. Bringing the outside-in, and working in harmony with the environment, the treehouses are built using natural materials featuring a chic, Scandi-style and a private terrace with a large zinc bath. Set within 1000-acres, there’s an abundance of wildlife to discover, along with unrivalled views across the Hampshire Downs. The awardwinning sparkling wine has been masterfully crafted over many years, now with 30 different grape varieties grown, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Dream Escape will arrange an immersive vineyard experience with dedicated tours and guided tastings, allowing you to sit back and enjoy this noted English winery.
5.Oxney Estate, East Sussex
AN ORGANIC ESTATE SET IN ONE OF ENGLAND’S MOST SCENIC SPOTS
A 35-acre organically-farmed vineyard near Rye, in one of South East England’s most charming spots, Oxney is the largest single-estate producer of English organic wine, using minimal intervention, producing around 20% of all organic grapes grown in the UK. Combine vines and wine with immersive tours and tastings, learning the art of canopy management and organic growing practices. There are two delightful shepherd’s huts with private outdoor spaces overlooking the vines, along with the Vineyard House – a Nordic-style 16th-century dwelling, embracing the original Jacobean architecture with a large garden – or the beautiful Barns accommodation a short drive away, comprising three converted barns. Personal touches include a breakfast basket of local, organic produce, a bottle of organic wine and a delicious artisan picnic to enjoy among the vines.
6. Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey
SOAK UP HILLSIDE VIEWS UNDER THE VINES OF ONE OF ENGLAND’S MOST RENOWNED VINEYARDS
With its unrivalled position in the Surrey Hills, set among 265 stunning acres of vines, Denbies is one of England’s largest single-estate vineyards. Situated in the North Downs with its famous chalky soil, in a protected valley of south-facing slopes, the production capacity is an impressive one million bottles. Delight in a sparkling afternoon tea and the estate’s own Chimney Fire Coffee, while staying at the heart of the vines in the contemporary Vineyard Hotel. Dream Escape will arrange every aspect of your stay, from tours and tastings to a delicious spread at the Orangery Restaurant with its openlandscaped garden. There’s also an impressive wine library with a floor-to-ceiling wine wall, including Denbies vintages; along with a Conservatory Restaurant – perfect for alfresco dining year-round – housed in a light-flooded atrium with an abundance of plants.
7. Three Choirs Vineyard, Gloucestershire
STAY IN A LUXE LODGE AT ONE OF ENGLAND’S OLDEST VINEYARDS IN THE BEAUTIFUL COTSWOLDS
Set in Gloucestershire, amid the glorious Cotswold countryside, Three Choirs is one of England’s oldest vineyards, with centuries-old history and an abundance of vines planted across 75 acres of south-facing slopes. Raising the bar for quality English wine with exceptional artisanship, the state-of-the-art winery produces award-winning varieties. Enjoy a flavour pairing to complement a casual, tapas-style menu of sharing boards and small plates, served in the charming Brasserie. Designed for couples seeking a relaxing getaway, it’s the perfect spot for an informal tasting within beautiful surrounds. Stay in Oak or Cedar (the two luxury glass-walled vineyard lodges), ensconced in the valley or one of the deluxe vineyard rooms for a peaceful retreat with views across the vine-clad landscape. Dream Escape's recommended hotel nearby is Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham – a luxury manor house, boasting featuring 90 acres of impressive grounds.
8. Lympstone Manor, Devon
ESTUARY VIEWS AND CULINARY THRILLS PAIRED WITH AWARD-WINNING ENGLISH WINE
Set in 28 acres of beautiful Devon countryside, Lympstone Manor is the vision of Michael Caines MBE – a luxurious five-star contemporary hotel with expansive grounds overlooking the Exe Estuary. Home to 21 sumptuous bedrooms and six cosy shepherd huts set under the trees, Lympstone Manor also has a Michelin-starred restaurant, an outdoor pool and brasserie, along with a thriving southwest-facing vineyard featuring stunning estuary views – a prime spot to celebrate the bounty of the estuary with a wine flight. Caine’s passion for wine sits at the heart of the Lympstone Experience, with two basement cellars housing over 600 bins, and a dedicated tasting room. Dream Escape can arrange four-course wine dinners and vineyard tours with an opportunity to taste the awardwinning Triassic Pinot Noir 2020 – a fusion of summer berries and French oak.
9. Nyetimber, Sussex
GLOBALLY-ACCLAIMED WINES ON ANCIENT LAND IN THE FLOURISHING SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE
The home of world-renowned English sparkling wine, produced using traditional methods, and recorded in the Domesday Book – the story of Nyetimber Estate transcends decades of artisanship, with vines now spread across several sites, thriving on the gentle south-facing slopes of the greensand and chalk soils of Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Enjoy wine events and tours with a paired dining experience, where you can sample awardwinning sparkling wine and delight in an exclusive dinner. The Dream Escape team will arrange every element of your visit, including standout accommodation from Olga Polizzi’s The Star, located in the medieval village of Alfriston; Cowdray – a country estate with a host of outdoor pursuits and holiday cottages; Park House Hotel & Spa, Midhurst; Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead and The Pig, set in the peaceful hamlet of Madehurst.
10. Wiston, West Sussex
A SUSSEX VINEYARD ESCAPE WITH HISTORY AT THE HEART
Ensconced in the ancient chalky downland of West Sussex, Wiston Estate is set in the hills and valleys of the thriving South Downs countryside, providing an inimitable environment to stay and explore the vinification process. Deeply rooted in the landscape, the vineyards sit at the heart of the estate, where soils, microclimate and aspect work in harmony to produce maximum purity of expression. Why not stay at The Pump House – a delightfully secluded cottage tucked away within the 6,000 acres that has been beautifully renovated with stunning views and ample walks from the doorstep. For the ultimate English vineyard experience, savour local produce and estate ingredients at the Chalk Restaurant and immerse yourself in Sussex Wine Country with myriad tours and tastings around the estate.
The UK harvest season typically runs from September to October, during which time grape pickers work tirelessly to gather the fruit at the optimum time for the winemaking process.
LOUISE MURRAY HEAD OF PRODUCT
England is now home to some wines of outstanding quality and, as a result, the English wine industry is thriving. These English vineyards, dotted around some of the most picturesque areas of the country, make for glorious day trips from London or short stays in the countryside. Itineraries with a wine focus are a dream to create, as we look to combine authentic visits, often with a personal touch from the owner, luxury accommodation in a countryside setting and tours that are usually combined with delicious food offerings, such as afternoon tea or a traditional Sunday roast lunch.
Words | Natalie Millar-Partridge
