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The UK wine scene has been booming over the past year, with a wine produced in Wales winning a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in July this year.
Despite preconceptions that the UK is not the right climate for winemaking, the limestone soil and cool climate produce ideal grapes for sparkling wines.
Essex is surprisingly full of vineyards, many of which open their doors to visitors for tours and wine tastings throughout the year.
Read more: Food festivals to visit in Essex in the coming months
We’ve put together a list of the best wineries in the county that you can visit this summer.
Mersea Island Vineyard
Founded in 1997, the Mersea Island Vineyard team cultivates four grape varieties, including Muller Thurgau, Ortega, Reichensteiner and Solaris.
They produce four bottles of wine which are Blush, Summer Days, Mehalah and Island Dry.
The winery offers wine tastings at its on-site Cork ‘n’ Cap shop, where you can simply drop in and order.
For more information on the vineyard visit their website here.
New Vineyard Hall
The first vines were planted at New Hall Farm in 1969, making it one of England’s oldest commercial wineries.
Located in Purleigh on the outskirts of Chelmsford, the vineyard supplies grapes to many of the UK’s influential wine growers.
The first vines to be planted in the vineyard were Reichensteiner, followed by Huxelrebe and Müller-Thurgau.
Recently, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus have been planted, which means that the vineyard now produces more than 250,000 bottles of wine per year.
The vineyard generally organizes tours and tastings; However, the pandemic halted proceedings.
The vineyard shop is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so you can buy your favorite bottle.
For more information visit their website here.
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Saffron barn
Saffron Grange is a family-owned vineyard located on chalky soil 2.5 km from the historic market town of Saffron Walden.
The vineyard cultivates the highest quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Seyval Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes to produce an exceptional sparkling wine.
You can visit the vineyard by appointment only on certain Thursdays and Saturdays from May to October with the possibility of tasting and purchasing the limited edition sparkling wines.
You will learn about the history of the vineyard on the 2-hour tour, while tasting their premium sparkling wine.
For more information on Safran Grange click on here.
Tuffons room
Founded by Angus and Pod Crowther in 2014, the team at Tuffon Hall produce award-winning wines from their farm in Halstead, Essex.
The family business prides itself on teamwork, with the wine bearing the names of Angus and Pod’s daughters, Amélie, Beatrice and Charlotte.
The vineyard produces Rosé, Bacchus and Sparkling wines.
Their sparkling wine is made according to the traditional method by adding the same three grape varieties that go into Champagne.
While all tours and tastings are sold out for 2021, various events take place at the vineyard throughout the summer, including Jazz in the Vines.
For more information on Tuffon Hall visit their website here.
Bardfield vineyard
Bardfield Vineyard is a quiet, rural estate in the heart of North Essex.
Originating from a medieval deer park, the vineyard has produced award-winning wine for almost 30 years.
Guided tours are available mid-week from May to September, where you will visit the vines and taste their wine in the Grade I listed barn.
You can also take part in a self-guided tour, with information and a map provided at the store.
Before heading home, you can visit the Vineyard Shop which is open weekdays from 10am to 4pm, to purchase your favorite Bardfield wine.
To learn more about Bardfield Vineyard, click here.
Crouch Ridge Vineyard
Inspired by their love of wine and the Crouch Valley region, Ross and Samantha gasped at Crouch Ridge Vineyard, near Chelmsford in 2010.
The soil in the vineyard is mainly clay with mineral deposits which, combined with a long period of sunshine and limited rainfall, prove to be perfect for growing vines.
The 15 hectare vineyard is planted with 3 grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Seasonal tours take place at Crouch Ridge Vineyard and include a gentle stroll around the vines, where you’ll learn the wine-making process and taste three Crouch Ridge wines either in the cellar or on the patio.
The tour will be followed by a two-course meal prepared by on-site chef Antony Taylor.
For more information visit their website here.
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