Crouch Ridge Vineyard

Five generations of Essex farming culminates in Crouch Ridge wines, perfectly complementing the region's fresh coastal seafood and offering a true taste of the Crouch Valley.

https://www.crouchridge.com

Fambridge Road, Althorne, Essex CM3 6BZ. Get directions

Nearest station: Althorne (0.6 miles).
Approx walking time: 12 minutes.

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Dog friendly

Child friendly

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Hosts weddings

Organic or sustainable

Open year-round

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Crouch Ridge Vineyard offers a welcoming and serene atmosphere with stunning views overlooking the River Crouch and surrounding countryside. It's a relaxed yet sophisticated space, ideal for enjoying award-winning wines, delicious food, and quality time with friends and family.

Visiting information

Opening Hours: The Wine Barn and Terrace are generally open Friday to Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm, with additional hours for special events and during summer. The vineyard welcomes visitors year-round. It is advisable to check their official website for the most current opening times and event schedules.
Food & Drink: You can pop in to sample wines at their shop or enjoy a full tasting experience. The on-site Wine Barn and Terrace offer brunch, lunch, sharing boards, and afternoon teas, with daily specials prepared by their chef to complement the wines. Their menu often features locally sourced ingredients including fish, meat, cheeses, and herbs from their own sensory garden.Tours & Events: Tutored vineyard tours and tasting sessions are regularly held, and private tours and tastings can be arranged by appointment. They also host monthly five-course tasting evenings and other special events throughout the year.
Accommodation: Crouch Ridge offers on-site self-catering accommodation. This includes individual apartments in a barn conversion, each with two bedrooms, and Mal's Barn, a larger option that can accommodate up to ten guests in five en-suite bedrooms. All provide stunning views of the vineyard and river.
Accessibility: The vineyard provides wheelchair-accessible seating, toilets, and car parking. The tasting room is designed to be easily accessible, and one of their self-catering apartments offers high standards of accessibility.
Dogs & Children: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads in the outdoor grass area with picnic benches. A children's menu is also available, and children are generally welcome at the vineyard.

The Wine

Crouch Ridge Vineyard produces a range of premium quality still and sparkling wines from grapes grown on their 15-acre estate. The vineyards are planted with classic cool-climate grape varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris, which are ideally suited to the local terroir of the Crouch Valley. These varieties are used to create both high-quality English sparkling wines, made in the traditional method, and fine single estate still wines, including white, rosé, and red varietals.

The wines have received critical acclaim, including multiple awards. Recent successes at the Essex Wine Awards include a Silver medal for their Chardonnay and Bronze medals for their Pinot Noir Rosé and Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine.

The vineyard operates its own winery on-site, transforming their hand-picked grapes into elegant expressions of the Essex terroir. Crouch Ridge is committed to sustainable and organic farming practices, aiming to produce wines with utmost care and respect for the environment.

Getting here

By Car: Crouch Ridge Vineyard is clearly signposted off Fambridge Road in Althorne. A large car park with disabled access is available on site. From the A130, use the A132 then the B1012, or from the A414, use the B1010 or B1018 from Maldon.

By Public Transport: The nearest railway station is Althorne, which is approximately 0.5 miles from the vineyard. It is a 7-minute walk from Althorne station to the vineyard. Althorne is on the Greater Anglia line that connects Wickford to Southminster, with services also connecting to London Liverpool Street via Southend Victoria, making the journey just over an hour from London.

What's nearby

Other Vineyards:
- Clayhill Vineyard (approximately 0.74 miles away)
- New Hall Vineyards
Hotels:
- The County Hotel, Chelmsford – A historic hotel offering various room types in the heart of Chelmsford.
Attractions:
- RSPB Wallasea Island – A vast nature reserve with marshland, lagoons, and seawalls, offering opportunities for birdwatching and walks.
- Riverside Park, Burnham on Crouch – A scenic park overlooking the River Crouch, featuring wildflowers, pathways, and recreational activities.