Visiting Hampshire's Best Vineyards
Hampshire is one of the most influential counties in English wine, closely linked to the modern rise of high-quality English sparkling wine and home to several producers that helped define the category. Vineyards here range from long-established estates to smaller, newer operations, with a strong emphasis on chalk soils, traditional-method sparkling wines, and increasingly confident still wines.
Planning a visit this weekend? Jump to the open vineyards section to see which Hampshire vineyards are open to walk-ins, with their opening times for the week.
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Overview
The county sits immediately west of Sussex and within straightforward reach of London, making it well suited to both day trips and short breaks. Vineyards are spread across the South Downs chalk and surrounding countryside, often set among working farmland and quiet villages rather than purpose-built visitor hubs. Winchester, Petersfield, Stockbridge and the New Forest fringe all work as practical bases, depending on which part of the county you’re exploring.
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Why Visit Hampshire Vineyards?
Chalk soils and sparkling wine leadership: Large parts of Hampshire sit on chalk, which has strongly influenced vineyard planting and wine style. Estates such as Hambledon Wine Estate, Exton Park Vineyard, Hattingley Valley Wines, Raimes English Sparkling and The Grange are closely associated with traditional-method sparkling wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Tastings at these vineyards often explore vintage differences, ageing time on lees and blending choices rather than offering simple introductory flights.
A county that helped shape modern English wine: Hambledon Wine Estate is widely regarded as a key site in the rebirth of English commercial winemaking, while Hattingley Valley Wines has become one of the most significant sparkling wine producers in the country, both through its own wines and through contract winemaking for vineyards across southern England. This combination of historic importance and contemporary scale gives Hampshire a distinct weight within the English wine scene.
Range of visit styles: Alongside larger estates, Hampshire also has smaller vineyards offering quieter, more personal tastings. Places such as Penn Croft Winery, Pinglestone Estate and The Wharie Experience tend to focus on small-batch production and direct engagement, often pouring wines in informal settings rather than dedicated tasting rooms. This contrast makes Hampshire well suited to mixed itineraries.
Wineries in Hampshire
13 of the vineyards in Hampshire have their own winery on site - the scale ranges from boutique family operations through to some of the UK's largest producers.
Hattingley Valley Wines
Hattingley Valley is renowned for its premium English sparkling wines, produced using the traditional method, and also crafts still wines. Public tours take in the winery and production area.
The Wharie Experience
The Wharie Experience is a versatile producer, crafting a range of still and sparkling wines, alongside ciders, beers, and meads. Public tours and tastings are available.
Exton Park Vineyard
A carefully curated library of reserve wines, some dating back over a decade, ensures every bottle of fizz tells a tale of consistent English excellence, whatever the weather. Public tours take in the winery and production area.
Pinglestone Estate
Pinglestone Estate specialises in crafting traditional method English sparkling wines. Public tours and tastings are available.
Others in the area with on-site production include Coates and Seely, The Grange, Black Chalk Wine, Penn Croft Winery, Hambledon Wine Estate, Setley Ridge, Quob Park Estate, Otium Wine Estate, Bsixtwelve At Lone Farm Vineyard.
Not every great vineyard in the area makes wine on site - Raimes English Sparkling and Leckford Estate are worth a visit but send fruit elsewhere for production.
The Experience
At established estates, tastings are usually structured and comparative, particularly for sparkling wines, with a clear emphasis on site, vintage and production choices. At smaller vineyards, tastings are often flexible and conversational, sometimes led by the people who planted the vines or make the wine. Compared with some neighbouring regions, visits here can feel less choreographed, especially midweek, with more time to talk through individual wines.
Vineyards in Hampshire
Open Vineyards to Visit in Hampshire
These are the vineyards scheduled to be open this weekend based on our most recent checks. Remember to check directly with the vineyard before heading out, or to book in advance where visits require a pre-booked tour or tasting. Find more information about opening times on the vineyard listing, or head to the map to search for vineyards open on a specific day or month.
8 of 15 vineyards below are open to walk-ins this weekend, Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November.
PO7 4RY
Open this weekend
SP11 7JX
Open this weekend
SO24 0NE
Open this weekend
SO42 7UF
Open this weekend
GU10 5QD
Open this weekend
SO24 0QW
This weekend: Fri
SO41 6DP
This weekend: Fri and Sat
Open this weekend
SO32 3NW
Tours by booking
Tours run March to October. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
SO24 9RX
Tours by booking
Tours restart Fri 23 Oct. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
PO17 5PG
Tours by booking
Dates in their booking calendar. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
Upcoming vineyard events in Hampshire
There are 3 events currently scheduled over the next two weeks in Hampshire, including Matriarca x Hambledon at Hambledon Wine Estate from 30 to 31 October, with tickets from £135, and Winemaker's Dinner at Lime Wood, New Forest at Sugrue South Downs on 5 November. Head to the Hampshire events page to view and search all events.
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Hambledon Wine Estate
Hampshire’s best-known vineyard and one of the most historically significant in England, producing traditional-method sparkling wines alongside still Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Hattingley Valley Wines
A major force in English sparkling wine, producing its own wines and acting as a winemaking hub for vineyards across southern England.
Exton Park Vineyard
Focused heavily on vintage-led sparkling wines, often emphasising extended lees ageing and site expression.
Black Chalk Wine
Known for both sparkling and still wines, including still Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and for helping broaden perceptions of what Hampshire wines can be.
Raimes English Sparkling
A family-run estate focused on single-vineyard traditional-method sparkling wines.
The Grange
Produces traditional-method sparkling wines alongside limited still bottlings.
Penn Croft Winery, Pinglestone Estate and The Wharie Experience add further diversity, typically producing wines in smaller volumes and offering tastings that feel closer to the vineyard and winery rather than a polished visitor centre.
What can you expect from wine tasting in Hampshire?
Tastings differ between vineyards and tasting flights can change, but in Hampshire you’re most likely to encounter traditional-method sparkling wines based on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, alongside still Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bacchus, often presented with an emphasis on vintage character and structure.
Planning Your Visit
How many vineyards in a day? Two vineyards is realistic if including tastings, or one if combining a longer tour with food. Vineyards are spread out, so a car is definitely needed to link them.
Booking: Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly at larger estates and at weekends. Smaller vineyards may operate limited opening days or seasonal hours.
Best times to visit: Spring and early summer offer quieter visits and visible vineyard activity. Summer brings longer opening hours and outdoor tastings. Autumn coincides with harvest, when visits may be more restricted but can offer insight into winemaking.
Where to Stay
Towns and villages in Hampshire
Alresford
Vibes: Market Town, Riverside, Steam Railway
Winchester:
A practical central base with a wide range of accommodation and dining options, plus direct rail connections from London.
Petersfield:
Well suited for visits focused on the eastern side of the county and the South Downs, with direct trains to London Waterloo.
Stockbridge & the Test Valley:
A good choice for countryside-focused trips combining walking with vineyard visits.
The New Forest (Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Lymington):
While there is no concentration of vineyards within the national park itself, the New Forest works well as a base for visiting southern Hampshire vineyards while also offering forest walks, coastal paths and traditional inns.
Getting There & Around
By Train from London: London Waterloo to Winchester or Petersfield takes around 1–1.5 hours. A car is definitely needed for most Hampshire vineyards, so plan to hire one or book taxis from the station. The exceptions are in the New Forest, where The Wharie Experience is a walk or short taxi from Sway station and Setley Ridge is a walk or taxi from Brockenhurst station.
Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.
By Car from London: Around 1.5–2 hours depending on destination. A car is essential for visiting more than one vineyard.
Beyond the Vineyards
Hampshire pairs naturally with wider countryside and heritage visits. The South Downs National Park offers extensive walking routes, while the New Forest provides open heathland, woodland and coastline. Winchester’s historic centre, cathedral and independent food scene make it a strong complement to vineyard visits, particularly for weekend trips.
What are the best vineyards in Hampshire?
Vinebound would recommend Hambledon Wine Estate for a full day out. Its history stretches back to the beginning of commercial winemaking in England, the restaurant is beautifully finished and serves delicious food, and it runs WSET courses if you want to learn more about wine. Book the restaurant well ahead in the warmer months, although drop-ins for drinks can generally be accommodated.
For something more exclusive, choose Exton Park Vineyard. Visits are by appointment, mostly on Fridays with some Saturday dates, and the sense of luxury builds at each stage, from the gates to Exton Hall to the view of the South Downs beyond the vines. It sits at the pricier end of English tours and tastings.
For a small-scale, personal visit, try The Wharie Experience, an intimate New Forest vineyard where the winemaker runs the show and the tour gives an insight into English winemaking at a small scale.
Two different shortlists, depending on what you're after: by reviews, The Wharie Experience (5/5 on Google from 26 reviews) and Exton Park Vineyard (5/5 on Google from 23 reviews); by competition results, Hattingley Valley Wines and The Grange.
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FAQ
Can you visit Hampshire vineyards without a car?
Realistically, no. A car is definitely needed for most Hampshire vineyards, which are spread across chalk downland and farmland, well away from stations. Winchester and Petersfield are 1 to 1.5 hours from London Waterloo, but you would still need a car or pre-booked taxis from there. The exceptions are in the New Forest, where The Wharie Experience is a walk or short taxi from Sway station and Setley Ridge is a walk or taxi from Brockenhurst station.
How many Hampshire vineyards can I visit in a day?
Two is realistic if you include tastings, or one if you combine a longer tour with lunch. The vineyards are spread out, so the driving adds up.
Do I need to book a Hampshire vineyard visit?
Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly at larger estates and at weekends. Exton Park is appointment-only, and smaller vineyards may have limited opening days or seasonal hours, so check before you set off.
Where is the best place to stay for Hampshire vineyards?
Winchester is the practical central base, with plenty of accommodation and dining and direct trains from London. Petersfield suits the eastern side of the county and the South Downs, with direct trains to London Waterloo. Stockbridge and the Test Valley suit countryside trips that combine walking with vineyards. The New Forest has no vineyards inside the national park itself, but works well as a base for southern Hampshire, including The Wharie Experience and Setley Ridge.
Which Hampshire vineyards allow dogs?
Several do, including The Wharie Experience, Setley Ridge, Otium Wine Estate, Raimes English Sparkling, Black Chalk, and Penn Croft Winery. Hambledon and Hattingley Valley do not. Policies can differ between indoor and outdoor areas, so check before you go. Our guide to dog-friendly vineyards in Hampshire has the full list.
What wines will I taste at Hampshire vineyards?
Hampshire is best known for traditional-method sparkling wine from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, and some vineyards specialise in it. Exton Park makes only sparkling wine, with tastings that explore vintage and time on lees. Others make still wines as well, such as Black Chalk's still Chardonnay. At The Wharie Experience you will try some of the lesser-known varieties, with recent releases including Ortega, Cabaret Noir, and orange Bacchus.
When is the best time to visit Hampshire vineyards?
Spring and early summer are quieter, with visible vineyard activity. Summer brings longer opening hours and outdoor tastings. Autumn coincides with harvest, when visits may be more restricted but can offer insight into winemaking.
