Summer Spectacular — Surrey Hills Vineyards

Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’
Summer Spectacular 2024

To celebrate the start of English Wine Week, Vineyards of the Surrey Hills is set to host its Summer Spectacular festival weekend on Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16, with each vineyard holding unique events and tastings.

To add to the excitement this summer, visitors to Chilworth Manor Vineyard will be among the very first to enjoy the vineyard’s spectacular Watch Tower Tasting Barn, which is set to be officially launched in May.

There are further reasons to celebrate as Albury Organic Vineyard reaches its 15th anniversary and High Clandon Estate Vineyard marks its 20th.

From masterclasses with renowned English wine experts to taste-offs between English sparkling cuvées vs French Champagnes, there are a number of events held over the Summer Spectacular weekend that are completely unique to the festival making it a must-visit occasion to visit the Surrey Hills wine route.

How to join the celebrations along the Surrey Hills wine route…

Albury Organic Vineyard
Silent Pool, Shere Road, Albury, Surrey GU5 9BW
www.alburyvineyard.com

One of the only vineyards in the UK to follow biodynamic principles, Albury is a family-run vineyard found next door to the picturesque Silent Pool beauty spot near Newlands Corner. They are also celebrating their 15th year since planting the vineyard in 2009.

The Albury Wine Festival, on Saturday June 15, is set to feature tours of the vineyard, access to their wildlife walk, wine tasting, masterclasses with a renowned English wine expert, local artisan food and more, as well as the chance to sample wines from all of the Surrey Hills vineyards. Tickets are limited and tend to sell out fast.

Albury will also be open on Sunday for walk-in visitors, offering a further chance to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio and a self-guided tour of the vineyard.

Tickets for Albury Wine Festival are £15, which includes a glass of the new Silent Pool Rosé or a soft drink on arrival, plus booking fee and are available at www.alburyvineyard.com/blogs/events/the-albury-wine-festival.

Chilworth Manor Vineyard
Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth, Guildford, Surrey GU4 8NN
www.chilworthmanorvineyard.com

It’s a hugely exciting year for Chilworth Manor Vineyard too, as they are launching their brand-new Watch House Tasting Barn just in time for this year’s Summer Spectacular festival weekend.

The history of Chilworth Manor goes back a thousand years but the vineyard itself is still young, with planting starting in 2013. Their highly sustainable site now stretches to more than ten acres.

On Saturday June 15, Summer Spectacular visitors will enjoy the chance to relax with an afternoon and early evening of music, premium quality English sparkling wine and delicious street food at Chilworth, including tours of the new tasting barn. There will also be a special tasting of Surrey Hills vineyard wines.

Tickets and further information will be live at www.chilworthmanorvineyard.com from late-April.

Denbies Wine Estate
London Road, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6AA
www.denbies.co.uk

One of the largest single estate vineyards in England, Denbies is set to host Summer Spectacular festival weekend events on both the Saturday and the Sunday – all alongside their usual plethora of wining and dining options. You could even book a stay in the Denbies Vineyard Hotel to make a long weekend of it.

On Saturday June 15, join the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’ Wine Tasting Trail, which will feature a wine train adventure around the vineyard and tastings from all of the Surrey Hills vineyards. Tours will leave at various times during the day.

On the Sunday, Father’s Day, there will be pizza, wine and beer on the lawn in front of Denbies’ impressive Chateau-style visitor centre from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Local singer/songwriter Luke Edney will be performing live and there will be ample opportunities for tasting Surrey wines and beers.

For tickets and further information, visit: www.denbies.co.uk/events/forthcoming-events

Greyfriars Vineyard
The Hogs Back, Puttenham, Surrey GU3 1AG
www.greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk

Hidden away on the Hogs Back, between Guildford and Farnham, Greyfriars will be running Summer Spectacular tours on the Friday evening as well as Saturday and Sunday daytimes, including a specific tasting of Surrey Hills wines on each tour.

There will also be wine tastings available for those visitors not on pre-booked tours, as well as bees chat and beer tastings with Hiver and a jazz band on the Saturday.

For those looking to relax into the festival spirit on the Saturday, there will also be a food truck and ice cream to accompany the wines.

Tickets and further information will be added at www.greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk soon.

High Clandon Estate Vineyard
East Clandon, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7RP
www.highclandon.co.uk

High Clandon’s Summer Spectacular open days on Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16 preview their ever-popular summer event, Art & Sculptures in the Vineyard, which take place in July.

The vineyard produces a single vintage sparkling wine each year, and visitors will be able to enjoy a glass of the Gloriana Cuvée as they enjoy the glorious gardens and beautiful views towards London. No booking is required to visit over the weekend.

On the Saturday, effervescent owners, Sibylla and Bruce, will also host their ticketed Battle of Waterloo Taste-off, which features Surrey Hills sparkling wines vs marque Champagne – usually, with some guests boldly tackling sabrage, the Napoleonic flourish to remove a Champagne cork.

Tickets for the taste-off events are £45 per person, but general entry to the vineyard open days is free.