Hambledon Wine Estate

As the birthplace of English wine, Hambledon Vineyard combines heritage with innovation, boasting the UK's only fully gravity-fed winery to gently craft their exquisite sparkling cuvées.

https://www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk

Hambledon Vineyard, Hambledon, Hampshire, PO7 4RY. Get directions

Nearest station: Rowlands Castle (8.1 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Hosts weddings

Open year-round

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

What's the vibe

Hambledon Vineyard offers an elegant and historic experience, set amidst the rolling Hampshire countryside within the South Downs National Park. As England's oldest commercial vineyard, it provides a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere for visitors to explore the birthplace of English wine. Reviews frequently highlight the friendly and knowledgeable staff and the beautiful, well-curated venue.

Visiting information

Booking: Tours and tastings are best booked in advance via their website, especially during peak season, although they do accept walk-ins for the restaurant and sometimes for tours (it's advisable to call ahead for tour availability).

Tour Dates: The vineyard is open year-round for tours, tastings, and special events. Regular Estate Tour & Tasting experiences are available, alongside other themed options such as Harvest Tasting Experiences or Winemaker's Tours.

Restaurant/Cafe: Hambledon Vineyard boasts a new on-site restaurant, bar, and tasting room with vineyard views. It offers high-quality, seasonal dishes focusing on local ingredients for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Saturday, and Sunday lunch. Reservations are highly recommended. There's also an al fresco Courtyard dining area, open weather-dependent for walk-ins.
Special Events: The vineyard hosts a variety of special events, including international wine tastings, WSET wine education courses, and private events like weddings and hen parties.
Accommodation: There is no accommodation directly on-site, but the vineyard can provide a list of local options.
Dogs/Children: Dogs are welcome on the vineyard grounds but are not permitted in the winery, cellars, or on tour experiences. Children are welcome in the restaurant but, similarly, are restricted from winery/cellar access and tour experiences.

The Wine

Hambledon Vineyard specialises in producing exceptional English sparkling wines, primarily using the classic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. They craft a range including the Classic Cuvée, Classic Cuvée Rosé, and the premium Première Cuvée.

The wines have garnered significant acclaim, winning multiple awards at prestigious competitions such as the International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards. Notably, their Classic Cuvée topped a blind tasting against Champagne in 2015, and their Première Cuvée came second in a similar blind tasting in 2020, beating several renowned French sparkling wines. An impressive Gold Medal was also received from Decanter.com in 2021. All Hambledon wines are vegan friendly.

Hambledon demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, describing it as being "at the heart of everything" they do. In 2021, they installed a biomass heating system that converts vine prunings into fuel for heating their winery, offices, and visitor facilities, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

The vineyard operates its own state-of-the-art, fully gravity-fed winery, which is unique in the UK. This on-site winery, opened in 2011, allows them to minimise the time between picking and pressing, a crucial factor for wine quality.

Getting here

By Car: Detailed driving directions are available on the Hambledon Vineyard website, with advice to avoid passing through Hambledon village to respect local residents.

By Public Transport: The nearest train station is Petersfield, approximately one hour from London Waterloo. A taxi from Petersfield station to the vineyard takes around 15 minutes.

What's nearby

Other Vineyards: Quob Park Estate, Raimes English Sparkling.
Notable Restaurants:
- The Bat and Ball Inn, Hambledon – A historic pub in the village with a large restaurant offering a comprehensive menu.
- The Pig, Brockenhurst, New Forest – Known for its locally sourced 25-mile menu and garden.
Notable Hotels:
- Quob Park Old House Hotel & Spa, Fareham – Offers a full-service spa.
- Lime Wood Hotel, Lyndhurst, New Forest – Features individually designed rooms and a spa.
Notable Attractions:
- Butser Ancient Farm, South Downs National Park – An open-air museum showcasing ancient British life through experimental archaeology.
- Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth – Home to historic ships like the Mary Rose and HMS Victory.