Tour Dates:
September 13 to 15, 2024
The supreme treat for wine and gin enthusiasts, touring vineyards and gin distilleries framed by the gorgeous Kent and Surrey countryside. Learn about the provenance of English sparkling wines and champagne and the origins of native gins and their unique botanical essence. Enjoy wine tastings at the ancient Gusbourne Estate vineyard and Greyfriars, plus a champagne afternoon tea at High Clandon. Sample and savour a wide range of gin flavours at The Gin Kitchen and Silent Pool Gins.
For an optional extra cost, learn how to do a sabrage...the famous Napoleonic flourish with a sword to remove the champagne cork!
Depart London for our visit of Gusbourne Estate in Kent, which dates back to 1410. In 2004, Andrew Weeber took over the estate with a clear vision and a single goal: to create English sparkling wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offerings from across the globe. All the grapes used are sourced solely from Gusbourne vineyards; 60 hectares that are planted with the 3 classic varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Their debut vintages of Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2006 and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2006 were released to critical acclaim in 2010. We learn what makes this corner of England so special for winemaking. Spend time walking the vineyards, meet the people who make the wines, and experience them in the luxurious tasting room, ‘the Nest.’ Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Breakfast. Today’s visits will be set in The Surrey Hills, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This nationally protected landscape of scenic chalk slopes, lush woodland and characterful villages is the perfect setting for a visit of a half-acre partly walled private garden which has evolved over several years. A very floriferous garden from May to September with the focal point of the main garden being an octagonal fountain set within a circular lawn and surrounded by flower beds, mostly filled with herbaceous plants. The next stop will be The Gin Kitchen, where you will taste each one of their vibrant and characterful gins while discovering more about the botanicals. Sip your favourite G&T combination during a tour of the working side of the distillery where you will be talked through the processes followed to create their luxury hand-crafted spirits, finishing with a 3 tapas light lunch. Afternoon visit to Greyfriars Vineyard where you will enjoy a walk-through the beautiful vineyards finishing with a tutored tasting of several award-winning sparkling and still wines. The original vineyard was planted in 1989 and since taking over in 2010 the current owners have expanded the area under vine to 40 acres across two sites, focusing primarily on producing English sparkling wine. They also have a natural chalk underground cellar for ageing their wine prior to release. Wines are predominantly produced with the three classic Champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Breakfast. Walking tour of the delightful village of Shere, used as a film location for over 100 years and most famous in recent years for ‘The Holiday,’ ‘Bridget Jones – The Edge of Reason,’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Tour of the Silent Pool distillery around the renovated barns that now house the bespoke copper stills, showing you where the magic of gin production takes place, as well as finding out a few secrets behind the Silent Pool Gin recipe, covering the amazing botanicals used as well as their unique 4 stage process. Stroll down the banks to learn of its eerie history and how its legend inspired the gin. You’ll enjoy a full tasting of the award-winning Silent Pool Gins, followed by sampling a number of the Small Batch Range of gins, cordials and aperitives. Stop for lunch (at own cost). This afternoon we visit the ‘piece de resistance’; High Clandon Vineyard and Gardens, with our hosts Sibylla and Bruce Tindale. The visit includes a tasting of the vintage Cuvée, Liqueur and Gin, a short tour of the vineyard and viticulture, and an amusing talk on English sparkling wine and history of champagne. Enjoy a Cream Tea including a glass of High Clandon Cuvée, a choice of loose-leaf teas or coffee, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a selection of cakes, tarts and pastries. Return to London.
OPTIONAL EXTRA - SABRAGE: For an optional extra cost, you can be taught how to do a sabrage* (successfully!!) and the cost will include the extra bottle ...and you get to drink it too!
*The Napoleonic flourish with a sword to remove the champagne cork!
