Otium Wine Estate

This vineyard is open by appointment only. Contact them directly to arrange a visit.

No public tasting room, cellar door, or tour/tasting booking found anywhere on the live site. Otium presents itself primarily as a luxury stay/glamping estate (Stay / About / Shop / Contact nav only) with a vineyard on-site -- the main way to experience it appears to be booking one of the accommodation lodges (e.g. the vineyard-view studio), rather than a day-visit tasting offer. Wine is sold online via the Shop.

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

What's the vibe?

Otium Wine Estate offers a serene escape, inviting visitors to pause and reconnect amidst its tranquil woodlands, wetlands, and rolling vineyards. The atmosphere is one of luxurious stillness, set within beautifully transformed farm buildings.

Booking: Visits to Otium Wine Estate, including tours and wine tasting experiences, are typically by appointment or pre-booked. The estate emphasizes a structured visitor experience rather than casual drop-ins.

Accommodation: The estate has seven self-catering units available year-round, ranging from oak-barn conversions - each with a king-size bed, roll-top bath, and fully equipped kitchen - to a vineyard-view studio, a converted oast house, and a dedicated hot tub retreat. All units include Wi-Fi, linen, towels, a welcome pack, and access to free on-site parking with EV charging points. Cots and highchairs are available for families, and most units are pet-friendly (a small charge typically applies). Picnics on the estate grounds are welcome. Accommodation is priced from £132 per night; check the website for current availability.

Restaurant/Cafe: There is no public restaurant or cafe on site. Accommodation units are self-catering with equipped kitchens.

Events: No regular public events are specified, beyond the structured wine tasting experiences.

Open Year-Round: Accommodation is available year-round.

Dogs & Children: Both dogs and children are welcome at Otium Wine Estate. Children must be supervised at all times, and dogs should be kept on a lead when walking through the vines. Some accommodation options are also pet-friendly.

Otium Wine Estate focuses on growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, primarily for traditional method sparkling wine production. The estate boasts its own winemaking facilities on site.

The vines - planted across seven blocks in 2021 - were chosen to suit the site's free-draining greensand soils and the elevated, south-facing aspect above the village of Selborne, within the South Downs National Park. The 20 acres of vines sit within an 80-acre estate that also encompasses woodland, wetlands, and farmland.

The first wines are due for release in 2026. No awards have been made to date.

The vineyard operates as a working agricultural environment.

By Car: Otium Wine Estate is located at Wick Hill Farm, Hartley Mauditt, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3FB.

By Public Transport: The nearest railway station is Alton (AON). From Alton station, the vineyard is approximately 2.5 miles away, and a taxi ride is recommended as public transport to Hartley Mauditt is limited.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

• Notable Restaurants:
  • The Anchor Inn: A smart gastropub with rooms located in Lower Froyle, offering good food in the Hampshire countryside. The Anchor Inn
  • The Mutton at Hazeley Heath: A stylish establishment with various spaces, known for its setting on a heath overlooking Hazeley Farm. The Mutton at Hazeley Heath
• Notable Hotels:
  • Alton House Hotel: The largest hotel in Alton, situated in spacious grounds and a 5-minute walk from the town centre. Alton House Hotel
  • Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire: A luxurious option located some distance from Alton, offering a high-end stay. Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
• Notable Attractions:
  • Jane Austen's House Museum: Located in the nearby village of Chawton, this is the only house where Jane Austen lived and wrote that is open to the public, offering a deep dive into her life and works. Jane Austen's House Museum
  • Gilbert White's House & Gardens: Situated in Selborne, this beautifully restored house and gardens belonged to the pioneering naturalist Gilbert White and now functions as a museum. Gilbert White's House & Gardens