A Guide to Exploring Vineyards from Alresford
Located just east of Winchester and within the South Downs National Park, Alresford offers a quieter alternative to larger wine hubs while still providing excellent access to some of Hampshire’s best-known vineyards. The town itself is compact and walkable, with a strong sense of place, historic architecture, and a good selection of independent food and drink businesses.
What makes Alresford appealing as a vineyard base is its balance of convenience and countryside. Vineyards are scattered across rural Hampshire rather than clustered around the town, but most can be reached within 20-30 minutes by car. This makes Alresford well suited to a relaxed weekend focused on tastings and tours rather than trying to pack in too many visits in a single day.
Best times to visit
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Spring (April–May): A particularly good time to visit. Vineyards reopen fully for the season, the surrounding countryside is at its greenest, and the town is lively without feeling busy.
Summer (June–August): Peak season for vineyard tours and tastings, with warm weather and longer days. Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially for weekends.
Autumn (September–October): Harvest period brings added interest at vineyards, with occasional harvest-focused tastings or events. A calmer time in town once summer crowds ease.
Winter (November–March): Quieter overall, with reduced tour schedules at some vineyards. Still a good time for cellar-door tastings and for enjoying Hampshire’s countryside walks and pubs.
Vineyards to visit from Alresford
The vineyards near Alresford
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Alresford sits close to the heart of Hampshire’s sparkling wine production, with several highly regarded estates nearby.
Hattingley Valley Wines
One of England’s most respected sparkling wine producers, known for its precision-led winemaking and long lees ageing. Tours and tastings offer insight into traditional-method production at scale.
Raimes English Sparkling
A quality-focused estate producing single-vineyard sparkling wines. Visits are more intimate, with an emphasis on site expression and careful winemaking.
The Grange
A long-established Hampshire producer specialising in traditional-method sparkling wines. Tastings and tours focus on extended ageing and classic house style.
Pinglestone Estate
A smaller, quality-driven vineyard producing limited quantities of English sparkling wine, appealing to visitors interested in emerging Hampshire producers.
Other nearby producers: Bsixtwelve at Lone Farm Vineyard is located in the wider area but is not currently open for public visits.
What else is there to do in Alresford?
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- Explore Alresford’s Georgian high street and independent shops.
- Walk or cycle sections of the South Downs Way nearby.
- Visit Winchester for cathedral, museums, and dining (approximately 15 minutes away).
- Enjoy countryside pubs and riverside walks along the Itchen Valley.
Where to eat and drink in Alresford
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Alresford has a small but solid food scene, well suited to weekend stays.
- Casual: Cafés, bakeries, and traditional pubs.
- Mid-range: Seasonal British cooking with good local produce.
- Wine-led: Restaurants and pubs with increasing representation of English sparkling wines.
Where to stay
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- Small hotels and inns in and around the town centre.
- B&Bs in Alresford and surrounding villages.
- Country pubs with rooms within short driving distance of vineyards.