English Wine.
I’m an English wine specialist with a deep-rooted passion for the landscapes, producers and people redefining wine in England. From chalk soils and coastal influences to cool-climate freshness and finesse, I focus on wines that speak honestly of place and season.
My work spans education, wine writing, judging, social media management and consultancy, supporting English producers in telling their stories while guiding audiences, from curious drinkers to industry professionals, through the evolving world of English wine.
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“English wine just gets better and better.”
— Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
English Vineyard Visits:
Where to Go and What to Know
From boutique wineries and historic estates to tasting rooms and vineyard tours. My aim is to help visitors connect with the story behind every bottle, whether you’re a curious wine lover or a seasoned enthusiast, and to showcase the experiences that make England’s vineyards so uniquely captivating.
English Vineyard Events:
Curated English Vineyard Experiences for Corporate Days & Private Guests
Elizabeth & Wine curates English vineyard tours designed to introduce you, your team, or your clients to some of the country’s most compelling wine estates. Many sit within an hour of London, offering beautifully led tastings, relaxed vineyard visits, and thoughtfully planned corporate away days.
The English wine landscape is increasingly shaped by an open cellar-door culture, with welcoming tasting rooms, excellent food, and the option to stay among the vines, reflecting a growing focus on hospitality and wine tourism. I arrange exclusive, guided vineyard visits at a selection of award-winning estates, all easily accessible from London and known for their warm, generous welcome to both corporate and private guests.
Gusbourne’s world-class wines are available in some of the UK’s finest restaurants. Onsite the winery offers wine tastings, tours, light lunches or three-course lunches.
To reach Gusbourne, we take a Javelin train from St Pancras to Ashford International and then a short taxi ride.
An example vineyard visit to Gusbourne - how it works and what’s unique about it:
Price from £295 per person
*Prices are a guide and subject to change
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The day begins with a Champagne breakfast at Searcy’s, St Pancras
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Then we jump on the train at 9:37am, London St Pancas to Ashford International
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We're met by luxury minibuses to take everyone to Gusbourne vineyard
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At 10:30am, we are met with a glass of English sparkling, before we set off for a tour through the vines. Followed by a three course lunch and wine pairing. Finishing off with a walk through all the action in the winery and tastings from tank/barrel - a very special experience.
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Then everyone is given a goodie bag and snoozes on the train home back to London
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Home before 5pm - perfect day out!
EXTON PARK, WINCHESTER
Another favourite of mine for a day out or overnight stay!
Exton Park has nine plots in Hampshire making exquisite English sparkling wine– uniquely, this is an exclusive “single estate” of 60 acres producing some of the finest English sparkling wine.
With a brand new entertaining space in the middle of all the vines, an extremely impressive place to enjoy the finest English wines.
BALFOUR WINERY (HUSH HEATH ESTATE) - KENT
An impressive vineyard reminiscent of the type you might find in Napa or Stellenbosch. The estate and cellar door shop are open seven days a week to sample their award-winning wines. Take the train from London Bridge to Marden.
BOLNEY WINE ESTATE - WEST SUSSEX
Bolney sits in the charming West Sussex countryside and produces award-winning wines. Their “Ultimate Wine and Food Tasting with Tour” is a fantastic experience making for a corporate away day your guests won’t forget – it even includes a Bolney Estate Gin sampling! Bolney is a 15-minute taxi trip from Haywards Heath station.
CHAPEL DOWN - KENT
Chapel Down is best known for its high-quality sparkling wines. The winery also has an onsite restaurant – The Swan – and offers a range of experiences for visitors. Highly recommended.
To get to Chapel Down, take the fast train from St Pancras to Ashford International and then a taxi.
FORTY HALL - ENFIELD (LONDON)
Forty Hall is the first commercial-scale vineyard in London since the middle ages, based in North London on an estate that can trace its history to the 1600s. The range includes still and sparkling wines and there are lovely grounds to explore plus a farm shop. London bus routes 191 or W10 pass within a 10-minute walk of the vineyard, Turkey Street overground is 20mins away - or it’s an hour’s drive from the centre of town.
RIDGEVIEW - EAST SUSSEX
Ridgeview has been producing wine for over 25 years, and has won numerous awards along the way. Wine made in Sussex has been given a similar status to that produced in the Champagne and Rioja regions of France and Spain. Sussex wine has been designated as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for wine which means bottles of wine with the Sussex label must hail from the county, be made according to local tradition, and be aged by two years. Ridgeview is an hour on the train to Burgess Hill, then a five minute taxi ride.
