Best of 2025

In 2025 I’ve visited over 30 British vineyards experiencing everything from vines with a sea view at Bantham Estate in Devon to the new Midlands Press urban winery in the centre of Birmingham.

I’ve seen glamour and grandeur at Domaine Evremond in Kent and rustic charm at Stonor Valley Wine Farm in Oxfordshire. I’ve visited stately homes with vineyards at Carlton Towers in Yorkshire and Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire and discovered the quaint Two Beacons tasting room in the town centre of Great Malvern, Herefordshire.

My travels have taken me to vineyards in 5 counties for the first time bringing the number of wine producing counties I’ve visited across England and Wales to 25 - but the exciting thing is, I’ve still got so many more to visit.    

I’ve reached the vines in a retro Land Rover at Silverhand Estate and exited the tasting room using the joyous fruit chute slide at Simpsons Wine Estate (both in Kent). I’ve wandered freely on self-guided tours at Woodchurch Wine in Kent and Black Chalk in Hampshire and tasted from the barrel and tank at Midland Press and 1276 Wines in Herefordshire.   

I’ve enjoyed the festival vibe at the Wine Garden of England Summer Celebration in Kent, Hampshire Fizz Fest and The Great Yorkshire Wine & Fizz Festival.

I’ve got creative with bottle painting at Blabers Hall Wine Estate in Warwickshire, joined a fun run up and down the rows of vines at Hanwell Wine Estate in Nottinghamshire, enjoyed fireworks night at Leonardslee Family Vineyards in Sussex and embarked on a beautifully curated 13km walking tour in the Chiltern Hills, organised by Walk Works with Tamsin of Wine Curious, visiting Jojo’s Vineyard, Stonor Valley Wine Farm, Oaken Grove Vineyard and Fairmile Vineyard all near to Henley-on-Thames. Any day that starts and ends with vineyards view is my absolute favourite.

And I got hands-on with volunteering at many vineyards across the Midlands and enjoyed watching my adopted vine flourish at Kerry Vale Vineyard in Shropshire.

If you’re wondering what you might be able to eat at a vineyard then my experience this year proves there’s something for every palate – but where to start? Breakfast of course! I kick-started weekends at Kinsbrook in Sussex and Penn Croft in Hampshire with a glass of sparkling wine and something interesting and delicious to eat.  

There are plenty of lunch options – my biggest treat was a fine dining experience at Chalk at Wiston Estate in Sussex.  

You can enjoy a pre-booked afternoon tea at vineyards up and down the country and this year I’ve had stunning tiers of sweet and savoury treats at Mereworth Wines in Kent and Laurel Vines and Carlton Towers, both in Yorkshire. I also enjoyed a very special Mother’s Day afternoon tea at Simpsons Wine Estate in Kent.      

Over the summer you’ll find some vineyards collaborating with visiting food trucks - particularly on Friday evenings. Think sundowners and delicious street food. I enjoyed pizza night at Westwell Wines in Kent and gourmet burgers at Black Chalk in Hampshire and I finally made it to the sensational Seafood Sunday at Saffron Grange in Essex.  

And when all you’re craving is a nice cheeseboard to accompany your wine and vineyards views there’s plenty of options but this year I discovered Woodchurch Wine in Kent delivered the perfect setting.

Each and every vineyard I’ve visited has its own unique story behind the bottle. With 70 British vineyards ticked off my list there’s still hundreds to discover. Use the vineyard finder on Best British Bubbly to find the ‘best’ experiences for you and if you want the low down on the ‘best’ events taking place around the country each month sign up for the free Fizzology newsletter.