A vineyard experience at Chilworth Manor means a guided walk through the vines, a tasting of our sparkling wines and long views across the Surrey Hills. Depending on which you choose, these can be followed by afternoon tea, a seated experience or an early evening glass of fizz at The Watch House.
Tour and Tastings: walking the vines with a glass in hand
We’ve loved welcoming friends old and new to The Watch House over the past couple of months. In May of 2024 we kicked everything off with our first Tour & Tasting, where guests had the chance to enjoy our vines, wine and views, and to hear about Chilworth and the vineyard. It was great to be able to share the story of our estate from its earliest incarnation as a Saxon Manor, its business interests in the Gunpowder Mills of the 17th century and the subsequent tenure of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, all the way through to the charitable tradition established by Sir Lionel and Lady Heald that we’re working to continue today.
Sparkling Afternoon Tea at The Watch House
June 2024 brought about the addition of Sparkling Afternoon Tea to our menu of Experiences, which seemed to go equally well. Everyone enjoyed the array of sandwiches, scones, cakes and macaroons; and of course our sparkling wines.
We also held our first Wine Festival where we welcomed over 500 people to enjoy our wines, great food and live music.
Workshops and Wine: photography among the vines
In late July, we held the first of our Workshops & Wine. Run by professional photographer Lillian Spibey, attendees were taught how to use light and the rules of composition to capture stunning images of our vines and the surrounding scenery. It made us realise just how lucky we are to live in such beautiful surroundings. We have run more workshops since, and current dates and information are on our Experiences page.
Photo credit - Siobhan Moloney
Photo credit - David Rolfe
Photo credit - @LillianSpibey
Friday Night Fizz: an enjoyable start to the weekend
The latest addition to the calendar is Friday Night Fizz - which (as the name suggests) is the perfect way to kickstart your weekend. The first one took place in August 2024, with a second the following month. Friday Night Fizz now runs right through the season, and current dates are listed in our latest experiences round-up and on the Friday Night Fizz page. Come and enjoy the early evening views with a glass of fizz (or still wine if you’d rather) and take yourself on the self-guided Winston’s Walk around the vineyard. We have pizza available from Club Pizza so you can buy some food, plus live music in the background to create the perfect end-of-the-week atmosphere. Tickets include your first glass of fizz, with current prices and dates on the Friday Night Fizz page. Advance booking is essential, so book your Friday Night Fizz tickets before you travel.
What to expect on our vineyard experience:
· Allow around 2 hours for a tour and tasting, including a walk through the vines and a seated tasting at The Watch House.
· Groups are usually sized between 2-5 people, so there is time to ask questions.
· You will taste 3 of our sparkling wines, alongside our still wine to start.
· The walk is over grass and gentle slopes, so flat but sturdy shoes are a good idea.
· The tasting is under cover at The Watch House, so a shower will not spoil the visit.
· Late spring through to harvest in late September shows the vines at their very best.
Which experience suits you?
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Tour and Tasting: best for a first visit, when you want the story of the estate alongside our wines.
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Sparkling Afternoon Tea: best for a relaxed afternoon with friends, or even a birthday treat.
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Friday Night Fizz: best for the perfect start to the weekend, accompanied by our selection of wines and live acoustic music!
- Dine in the Vines: best for an anniversary or a milestone worth marking.
- Words and Wine: best for spending the evening immersed in captivating conversation, alongside our chilworth selection of wines.
- Private and Corporate Hire: best for unforgettable group experiences or corporate bonding, private and personal.
- A gift voucher: best when you want the recipient to choose their own experience with us!
Whichever suits you, you can browse all our vineyard experiences and check current dates in one place.
Hope to see you soon!
Frequently asked questions
What happens on a vineyard experience at Chilworth Manor?
You walk the vines with a knowledgeable guide, hear how the estate and the wines are made and taste our sparkling wines at The Watch House. Depending on the experience, this can be followed by an afternoon tea or an early evening glass of fizz.
Do I need to book a vineyard experience in advance, or can I just turn up?
Our experiences are pre-booked, so please reserve a place before you travel. Cellar Door access and opening hours are listed on the Visit Us page.
How much does a vineyard experience in Surrey cost?
Prices depend on the experience, from an early evening glass of fizz accompanied by stellar entertainment through to a seated dinner in the vines. Current prices and availability are listed on each experience page rather than here, so they are always up to date.
What is the best month to visit a vineyard in the UK?
Every month shows a different stage: flowering and fruit set in early summer, veraison in August, and harvest from late September. Late spring through to harvest gives the fullest view of the vines.
Which vineyard experience is best for a couple or a special occasion?
Sparkling Afternoon Tea suits a relaxed celebration, Dine in the Vines suits an anniversary or milestone, and Friday Night Fizz is the easiest introduction. A gift voucher works when you want the recipient to choose the date.
