Sip in style on an English wine tour

Let’s face it nobody wants to be the designated driver on a wine tasting or vineyard tour and whilst some wine estates are close to stations the majority are deep in the countryside.

If you’ve ever visited a wine region overseas chances are you’ve taken an organised tour where someone else lines up all the tastings, shares the stories behind the wines, organises lunch and provides the transport.   

England’s wine tourism has now developed so much that we have a fantastic range of expertly curated days out.

I recently went on my first wine tour around the Rother River Wine region in East Sussex and it was such a great way to explore. These tours run on Sundays allowing you to visit three out of six vineyards in the area with everything expertly arranged for you.  

We met the bus at Robertsbridge station – just an hour from London. Some of the tours leave from Rye station. We started at Oastbrook, tasting four incredible wines whilst also getting to see where all the magic happens in the winery.  Then it was onto Oxney Organic where we tasted more delicious wines and enjoyed lunch platters of specially selected local cheese and charcuterie. Our final stop was Charles Palmer where the tasting started outdoors overlooking their 40 acres of breathtaking vines. We were then taken back to the station to coincide with the trains departing for London.

The day was expertly led and gave us stunning scenery, passionate winemakers and a wide range of tastings. All we had to do was sit back and enjoy.

This initiative is uniquely supported by the local Council but you’ll find a range of tours now available in other parts of the South East.     

Grape & Grain Tours will help you explore Hampshire vineyards (departing from Winchester) or Surrey Hills vineyards (departing from Guildford).

Great British Wine Tours have options departing from Brighton station including travelling around on their distinctive vintage London bus. For the ultimate wine and dine why not join their Sussex Pullman Wine Train Experience.

Vine & Country Wine Tours take you to boutique vineyards in Kent and Sussex on half and full day trips all with indulgent lunches.

Offvine Wine Tours focus on independent wine producers across Kent and Sussex and include days dedicated to English Sparkling Wine or Natural wine with pick up from Ashford International station.

White Horse Wine Tours will also meet you at Ashford International station and whisk you off to Kent vineyards. They offer a range of tours including a golden hour tour which includes a light supper.

If you want to head straight out of London and into the vines then English Wine Tasting Tours pick you up at London Bridge and offer a 3-vineyard tour or a Wine & Cheese tour and can also do private tours. Beyond London creates tailor-made day trips to vineyards in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

With more vineyards across the country open for tourism expect to see tours developing in other regions too. The Wine Tour of Herefordshire takes in three fantastic vineyards on a luxury tour with options for a one day tour or a fantastic two night package staying at White Heron Estate.

There are also options for guided walking tours between vineyards. Walk Works can lead you between 2, 3 or 4 gorgeous Chiltern Hills vineyards in Oxfordshire. Fizz on Foot runs a programme of guided walks with vineyards visits and insight into English winemaking around the East Sussex area.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time discover English vineyards the easy way.