Hambledon Wine Estate

England's oldest commercial vineyard (established 1952), now producing award-winning sparkling wines that compete with Champagne in blind tastings.

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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

An elegant and historic estate in the South Downs National Park with a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere. As England's oldest commercial vineyard, Hambledon blends rich heritage with modern winemaking excellence. The venue features a stunning oak-framed restaurant with vineyard views, and visitors consistently praise the knowledgeable staff and beautifully curated setting.

Visiting information

Restaurant: Open Wednesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner, plus Sunday roast. The restaurant, which opened in February 2025, is led by Head Chef Nick Edgar (formerly head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons where he earned a Michelin star). Seasonal menus feature local ingredients from Hampshire's larder and the estate's own kitchen garden. Reservations highly recommended. There's also a bar and tasting room with vineyard views.

The Courtyard: Al fresco dining with wood-fired pizzas and seasonal dishes, open Wednesday-Sunday (weather-dependent). Walk-ins only.

Vineyard Tours & Wine Tastings: Daily guided tours at 11am and 2pm (additional times during summer and weekends) taking you through the historic vineyards, gravity-fed winery, and chalk-cut cellars, finishing with a tasting of award-winning sparkling wines. Book in advance via their website, though they sometimes accept walk-ins for tours—call ahead to check availability.

Cellar Door Shop: Open daily beneath the restaurant for complimentary drop-in shopping. Full range of Hambledon wines plus curated selections from Berry Bros. & Rudd.

Special Events: Regular events including wine tastings, WSET courses, Jazz & Fizz afternoons, cheese and wine pairings, and private events.
Dogs & Children: Dogs welcome on vineyard grounds but not in the winery, cellars, or on tours. Children welcome in the restaurant but not in winery/cellar areas or on tours.

The Wine

Hambledon specializes in English sparkling wines using the traditional Champagne method, growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier across 200 acres. Their range includes Classic Cuvée, Classic Cuvée Rosé, and the premium Première Cuvée.

The wines have earned exceptional recognition in recent years. In 2024, their Première Cuvée won a Master medal at the Global Sparkling Masters—one of only seven wines worldwide to receive this top honor, placing it alongside prestigious Champagnes. The same wine also won Platinum at Decanter World Wine Awards 2024. Their Classic Cuvée won Platinum at Decanter 2024 and Gold at Global Sparkling Masters 2024, while also topping a blind tasting against Champagne in 2015. Previous successes include Gold medals at International Wine Challenge, Decanter World Wine Awards, and the 2020 blind tasting where Première Cuvée came second, beating several renowned French sparkling wines. All Hambledon wines are vegan-friendly.

The vineyard operates a unique gravity-fed winery—the only one of its kind in the UK—allowing them to minimize time between picking and pressing. Sustainability is central to their approach, including a biomass heating system that converts vine prunings into fuel for the winery and visitor facilities.

Hambledon is now owned by Berry Bros. & Rudd (the UK's oldest fine wine merchant) and Symington Family Estates (leading port producer), both Royal Warrant holders.

How to Get to Hambledon Vineyard

By Car from London: Approximately 1 hour via M3 and A3 (60 miles). Detailed directions available on their website. They advise avoiding Hambledon village to respect local residents. Free on-site parking available.

By Train from London: Take the train from London Waterloo to Petersfield station (approximately 1 hour). The vineyard is a 15-minute taxi ride from Petersfield station.

Things to Do Near Hambledon Vineyard

Restaurants
The Bat and Ball Inn, Hambledon - Historic pub with large restaurant.
The Pig, Brockenhurst, New Forest - Known for its 25-mile menu and kitchen garden.

Hotels
Quob Park Old House Hotel & Spa, Fareham - Full-service spa.
Lime Wood Hotel, Lyndhurst, New Forest - Individually designed rooms and spa.

Attractions
Butser Ancient Farm, South Downs National Park - Open-air museum of ancient British life.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth - Home to the Mary Rose and HMS Victory.