Where? Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
How to get there: Catch the train from London Victoria (or anywhere in the south east) to Dorking on Southern Railway. It’s 56 minutes direct from London, and the estate is only a 15-minute walk from the station.
Who is it for? Families, couples, walkers, cyclists, dog owners, groups, wine beginners and experts alike. Anyone interested in wine can enjoy this vineyard tour.
Take a closer look at the wine aisle in any supermarket, and you’ll notice that most of the varieties come from abroad. But with over 1,000 vineyards across the UK (and several within walking distance of a Southern Railway station) it’s well worth exploring what England has to offer.
Wine tourism isn’t just for experts; it’s perfect for anyone who wants to know more about what’s in their glass. I like a sip of wine here and there, but I had never thought much about vineyards, especially in England. On a sunny day, though, there's nothing better than getting outside and enjoying the countryside - and a vineyard tour makes for the perfect day out.
Going on a vineyard tour by train
Getting to Denbies Wine Estate is super easy. I took a Southern train from London Victoria, and within an hour I was at the estate ready for my tour. When I got there, it was busier than I had expected, with lots of families, couples, dog walkers, and even cyclists. The vibe was lively, and I was excited to check it out.
Getting to a vineyard tour by train is a no-brainer: it means you can enjoy as many glasses as you like without worrying about who’s going to drive home, and it’s so much better for the environment than going by car.
What is the best time of year for a vineyard tour?
A vineyard tour is great at any time of year, as you can see the way the changing seasons affect the vines. For me, when the first day of spring is as gorgeously sunny as it was this year, all I want to do is get outside and make the most of it, so that's exactly what I did.
What to expect on a vineyard tour in Surrey
When I arrived at Denbies, I was given a plastic champagne flute and hopped on the train (which is a couple of carriages pulled by a Land Rover) ready for the vineyard tour.
The first thing that struck me was just how stunning the location is. Jeff, our tour guide, was fantastic and super knowledgeable. He pointed out Leith Tower, Box Hill, and the rolling Mole Valley.
The vineyards themselves are planted on long, steep, south-facing slopes in a chalk valley. Jeff explained that this specific combination is what makes it so perfect for growing grapes. It's the English answer to those sought-after Champagne regions in France, and I could definitely see why.
Jeff poured us each a glass of Denbies’ own “White Downs” sparkling wine, which was delicious and retails for just £18.
Now here's the wine geek stuff: Denbies covers a massive 250 acres with 12 different grape varieties. A lot of them are Germanic, like crossings of Riesling. According to Jeff, these Germanic varieties are engineered to handle our infamously cool and, let's be honest, often wet climate. They also grow the ‘noble varieties’ Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the same ones used in Champagne. So they are producing English sparkling wine in the same way as traditional Champagne.
Jeff gave us the lowdown on the vintages, too. 2022 was a great year, thanks to that scorching summer (remember when it was 40 degrees Celsius for two straight months? Yeah, that one). That extra heat meant higher sugar content in the grapes, which makes for excellent wine.
He also told us that 2024, on the other hand, wasn’t such a great year, with moisture problems during the flowering period affecting the grapes. It made me realise how much the English weather dictates the wine produced, and now I can show off my wine knowledge to friends and family.
Jeff also revealed some very telling numbers: in a good year, Denbies might harvest 520 tonnes of fruit, but in a bad year, it could be as low as 80 tonnes. Huge difference. It really gives you an appreciation for how much hard work - and also luck - goes into each bottle.
Something else that I found fascinating was learning that the Bacchus variety is grown all over the UK, and is particularly successful at Denbies. Their experts tried growing other grape types such as Sauvignon Blanc, but found that the Germanic grape varieties really are the ones that thrive within the estate.
The tour was so interesting and even as a novice, I learned so much. And there's more to Denbies than just wine. You could easily spend a full day there, or even a weekend, since they have a hotel on-site.
Wine tasting in the UK
After the tour, the train dropped me off at the restaurant where I was booked in for afternoon tea. Naturally, it came with another glass of their sparkling English wine. One detail I noticed on the wine list was that they showcase wine from the 2022 vintage - and thanks to the tour, I now understand why that specific year was so prominent.
Honestly? I can't recommend a vineyard tour enough for a day out. If you're curious about wine, whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete novice, it's a fantastic experience. I’m so glad I went by train, as it meant I could just sit back and relax on the way home, without worrying about traffic and congestion. Now I just need to impress anyone I meet with my new-found wine knowledge.
