Mersea Island

When	Days	Hours
Year-round	Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun	See notes

Closed Monday and Tuesday. Open Wednesday–Sunday from 10am - walk in for the café, Cork 'n' Cap shop, and vineyard grounds. Also runs a bed & breakfast and hosts weddings/events, bookable separately.

Opening hours can change for private events - it's always worth checking the vineyard's website before you visit.

What's the vibe?

Mersea Island Vineyard offers a peaceful escape with a cozy and elegant atmosphere, blending rural charm with warm hospitality. Visitors consistently praise its beautiful setting and the friendly, welcoming staff.

Café: The Vineyard Café is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until close, serving a selection of sandwiches, toasties, paninis, baguettes, jacket potatoes, and homemade cakes, alongside hot and cold drinks, including their own wines. Booking is not essential for the café, but it is recommended if you wish to reserve a table.

Tours: Guided tours of the vineyard and on-site winery are available by appointment and must be booked in advance.

Events: The vineyard is a scenic venue for various events, including weddings and celebrations, and hosts special occasions such as a Festive Menu and an Easter Beer Festival. The annual Easter Beer Festival runs over four days and is a family-friendly event with live music and food.

Private Hire: Two separate venues are available for private events. The Vineyard Barn seats up to 40 for a meal and is available year-round, seven days a week. A large marquee accommodates up to 200 guests and is available from Easter through to late September. The site is fully licensed for civil ceremonies, and catering options - including barbecues, hog roasts, and cold buffets - can be arranged. Suitable for weddings, birthday celebrations, corporate retreats, and more.

Shop: The on-site Cork 'n' Cap shop stocks a regularly updated range of the vineyard's own wines and ales, alongside other local produce and spirits - worth a browse before you head home.

Accommodation: Mersea Island Vineyard offers a Bed & Breakfast with five en-suite rooms (three double and two twin), featuring comfortable and elegantly decorated spaces with vineyard views. A full English breakfast is included with your stay.

Children/Dogs: Children are welcome at the vineyard, with family stays popular for the accommodation and family-friendly options for events. For information regarding dogs, it is advisable to contact the vineyard directly.

Mersea Island Vineyard cultivates grapes across ten acres of south-facing slopes, producing approximately 20,000 bottles of wine annually. The vineyard focuses on white, rosé, and sparkling wines, including a sparkling wine produced using the traditional Méthode Champenoise secondary fermentation process. Grape varieties grown include Müller Thurgau, Ortega, Reichensteiner, Solaris, Cabernet Noir, Rondo, and Pinot Meunier, contributing to crisp, vibrant, and characterful wines.

The vineyard is an award-winning producer, notably recognised as the winner of Essex Life Drinks Producer of the Year. Their wines are made exclusively from grapes grown on the vineyard, reflecting the unique coastal terroir of Mersea Island.

The cool coastal climate, sea breeze, sandy soils, and natural biodiversity of Mersea Island provide ideal conditions for viticulture. The vineyard operates its own on-site winery, which opened in July 2000, ensuring complete control over the winemaking process from grape to bottle. In addition to wine, the vineyard also produces a range of real ales, drawing on locally sourced ingredients and sustainable production practices.

By Car
From the A12, take Junction 26 and follow signs for Mersea Island (B1025). After crossing The Strood (a tidal causeway), turn right at the first turning past the parish sign and follow the lane to the vineyard. Please check tide times before travelling, as The Strood can be submerged at high tide.

By Public Transport
The nearest train stations are Colchester or Colchester Town. A taxi from either station to Mersea Island Vineyard takes approximately 20 minutes.

Local bus services, including the 55A and 68A, connect to Mersea Island, with the nearest stop, Meeting Lane, East Mersea, about a 14-minute walk from the vineyard.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

Mersea Island offers a unique blend of coastal charm and local attractions.

Notable Restaurants:

• West Mersea Oyster Bar: A renowned shellfish specialist offering fresh local oysters and seafood platters.
• The Coast Inn: A charming riverside venue known for its friendly atmosphere and fresh local meats and seafood.

Notable Hotels:

• The Victory at Mersea: A family-owned pub offering luxury accommodation and traditional pub food in a waterfront setting.
• The White Hart Inn Mersea Island: A central pub with a restaurant and rooms, ideal for a casual visit or an overnight stay.

Notable Attractions:

• Cudmore Grove Country Park: A Green Flag Award winner at the eastern tip of the island, offering stunning views, coastal walks, and wildlife spotting opportunities.
• Colchester Castle: Located approximately 17 km from the vineyard, this historic Norman castle houses a museum detailing 2,000 years of Colchester's history.