The grape escape Vineyard

THE GRAPE ESCAPE

What else presents such an irresistible image of the good life as a vineyard hotel? We’re raising a glass to the hot new openings at home and away, as well as the best experiences to book now

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CASA DI LANGA, Cerretto Langhe, Italy

When it comes to wine, starry Tuscany tends to eclipse Italy’s northern Piedmont region. But with the crown comesthecrowds,whichmakesthelatteranappealing alternative. So, too, does this new retreat, which lies on the border of UNESCO World Heritage site LangheRoero and Monferrato, revered for its winemaking heritageandprizedwhitetruffles.The39mutedrooms and suites offer sleek Italian design, with furniture by Cassina, B&B Italia, De Padova and Meridiani, and there’splentyoflocalstoneandrawplaster.ButCasadi Langahasafewmoretricksupitssleeve.Thebuildings, inspired by the area’s vernacular architecture, are constructed with heat-storing adobe bricks, and further eco practices include solar panels and using recycled water for the vines. The wine academy, certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, will provepersuasiveforbuddingoenophiles,whiletheless studious can sign up for a Vespa tour of the vineyards. From around £373 per night (preferredhotels.com).

THE MUTED ROOMS OFFER SLEEK ITALIAN DESIGN, LOCAL STONE AND RAW PLASTER

LES SOURCES DE CHEVERNY, France

When Alice and Jérôme Tourbier opened Les Sources de Caudalie in Bordeaux in 1999, its revelatory vinotherapy spa helped usher in a new kind of vineyard hotel. With sister estate Les Sources de Cheverny, the hope will be to replicate that success in another prestigious French winemaking region: the Loire Valley. This, of course, is châteaux country, and the hotel has a fine 18th-century example to call home, plus a village-like estate masterminded by architect Yves Collet. Design studio Be-Poles has preserved all of the historical heft but none of the fustiness, with flea-market furniture and walls painted in mossy green, while farm buildings house more rooms and the old storehouse a restaurant. That’s where you’ll find a bottle of house La Grand’ Vigne, made by a local organic winemaker, though it’s a waiting game until their own vines of white Romorantin grape come to fruition. ‘It was important for us to revive a winemaking activity that was once present at Château du Breuil, whose former cellars now house our auberge, ’ says Alice. From around £166 per night (sources-cheverny.com).

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Best wineries in the UK with rooms

T I L L I N G H A M , E A S T S U S S E X

It’ s set to be a big year for this natural, biodynamic wine producer just outside Rye, which will finally see – quite literally – the fruits of its labour from 10,000 vines planted by hand three years ago. Eleven stylish new rooms are housed in what was once a hop barn, and all have vineyard views. From £165 per night (tillingham.com). R Y E D A L E V I N E YA R D S , N O R T H Y O R K S H I R E

A balmier climate means much UK wine production is sequestered in the south, which makes this family-run site at the foot of the North Yorkshire Wolds the most northerly commercial vineyard in Britain. There are two restful rooms in the 500-year-old farmhouse. From £110 per night (ryedalevineyards.co.uk). B L A C K C H A L K , H A M P S H I R E

A recent collaboration between this awardwinning Test Valley vineyard and treehouse trailblazers Wild Escapes has seen four reclaimed timber cabins on stilts erected adjacent to the vines. You ’ll find a bottle of Black Chalk chilling in the fridge, and there ’ s a possibility of private tastings in your treehouse. From £274 per night (canopyandstars.co.uk).

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THE PIG IN THE SOUTH DOWNS, West Sussex, UK

Thenewoutpostfrom ThePiggroupfeatures itsownvineyard–afirstforthechain

It’s been just over a decade since the original Pig opened in the New Forest, and this chain of rustic-chic retreats has kept to a pacy schedule ever since. Set high on the South Downs in pretty Madehurst village, its latest outpost maintains focus on epicurean delights – the two-acre kitchen garden is the largest so far – including the very first Pig vineyard. A hotspot for British viticulture, the area’s chalky subsoil and elevation offer agreeable conditions for some 4,000 vines of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, thus fulfilling a long-held ambition for founder Robin Hutson. Opens September, from £155 per night (thepighotel.com).

Tours and more with a twist

F I Z Z & FA L C O N R Y AT C H A P E L D O W N , K E N T

It would be remiss to mention English wine without a nod to the site that sent it mainstream. One of Britain ’ s best vineyards to visit, Chapel Down ’ s more unusual tours include an encounter with the falcons who defend the grapes from unwanted visitors, as well as hawks and great grey owl Abe. £145 per person (chapeldown.com).

T H E A RT O F S A B R A G E AT M A N N I N G S H E AT H , W E S T S U S S E X

Forget the usual twist-the-bottle technique –this West Sussex winery amps up the drama by demonstrating the age-old art of sabrage. Said to have been started by Napoleon, it involves striking a cork with a sabre at just the right angle. They ’ll even let you have a go yourself afterwards. £18 per person (manningsheath.com). S E C R E T V I N E YA R D T R A I L AT D E N B I E S , S U R R E Y

The 90-minute walking tour of the Denbies estate (they promise a leisurely pace) offers access to hidden areas of its 265 acres under vine, including the Yew Tree Vineyard, as well as the best spots for far-reaching views across the North Downs. Tours run on Saturdays. £29.50 per person (denbies.co.uk).