Raimes English Sparkling

When	Days	Hours
April-December	Fri, Sat, Sun	11:00–17:00

Cellar Door Shop and Tasting Barn closed January to March each year for winter pruning (except private bookings). Reopens mid-March, then Fri/Sat/Sun 11am-5pm through the rest of the year. Guided tours and tastings run per individual booking confirmation, separate from walk-in cellar door hours.

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

What's the vibe?

Raimes English Sparkling offers a welcoming and personal experience at their family-run boutique vineyard. You can expect a stylish yet grounded atmosphere, deeply rooted in a traditional Hampshire farm where a fifth generation continues a heritage of working the land.

Guided vineyard tours Our 90-minute guided tours take you through the vineyard and show you how we produce English sparkling wine. Tours run from May to September each year. The Tasting Barn We offer exclusive use of the Tasting Barn for private parties and corporate events. Choose a half-day or full-day package, which includes a guided vineyard tour, sparkling wine tasting, and artisan grazing options. Corporate bookings are available Monday to Friday, and we welcome private celebrations year-round. Music must finish by 9pm unless other arrangements are agreed in advance. Food and drink We have a restaurant on site where you can enjoy meals and refreshments. All food and beverages must be purchased from the Venue, though you're welcome to bring a celebratory cake with prior approval. Dogs Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Raimes. Gift shop Browse our gift shop for vineyard-related products and souvenirs. Parking Parking is available on site.

Raimes English Sparkling specialises in producing elegant and well-balanced sparkling wines using the traditional method, much like Champagne. Their wines are crafted exclusively from grapes grown on their family farm's south-facing slopes, which feature the chalky soils of the South Downs National Park – a terroir known for producing high-quality sparkling wine grapes. They cultivate the three classic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Raimes produces a range of vintage sparkling wines, including Classic Brut, Blanc de Noirs, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, and Demi-Sec.

The wines have garnered numerous accolades, consistently earning international recognition for their excellence. Recent achievements include:

• Raimes Classic 2018: Gold Medals at both the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2023, each scoring an impressive 95 points.
• Raimes Classic 2020: Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge in 2025, with 93 points.
• Raimes Vintage Rose 2020: Silver Medal at the IWSC in 2025, scoring 91 points.
• Raimes Blanc de Noirs 2019: Silver Medal at the Wine GB Awards in 2024.
• Raimes Blanc de Blancs 2018: Awarded 91 points by Decanter World Wine Awards and a Silver Medal at the Wine GB Awards in 2024.

Raimes English Sparkling is committed to responsible viticulture, holding a Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) certification for their vineyard. While the grapes are grown and harvested by hand at the estate, the vinification process takes place at Hattingley Winery, where their wines are expertly crafted.

By Car: The vineyard is located near Alresford.

By Public Transport: The nearest train station is Alton. A taxi from Alton Station to the vineyard (SO24 0NE) takes approximately 18-19 minutes.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

• Other Vineyards:
  • Hambledon Vineyard: England's oldest commercial vineyard, offering a glimpse into the history of English sparkling wine.
  • Hattingley Valley Wines: The acclaimed winery where Raimes' exceptional wines are made.
• Notable Restaurants:
  • Texas Steakhouse, Ropley: Known for its quality steak and grilled dishes.
  • Thai Lounge, Ropley: Offers a modern twist on fine Thai cuisine.
• Notable Hotels:
  • The Swan Hotel, Alresford: An 18th-century hotel located in the centre of Alresford.
  • Watercress Lodges & Campsite, Ropley: Provides self-catering lodges with views over the South Downs, and is dog-friendly.
• Notable Attractions:
  • Watercress Line (Mid Hants Railway): A heritage steam railway offering scenic journeys and various events.
  • Jane Austen's House Museum, Chawton: The historic home where Jane Austen lived and wrote her final novels.