Hambledon Harvest Experience, Saturday 26th September

Join a truly unique harvest experience at Hambledon Wine Estate, the UK's oldest commercial vineyard. Nestled within the breathtaking South Downs National Park, Hambledon offers a peaceful and picturesque setting, providing the perfect escape for a leisurely weekend at one of the most exciting times of the year in the English wine industry. This immersive day provides a rare opportunity to experience the excitement and energy of harvest firsthand. From picking grapes in the vineyard to sorting fruit, taking sugar readings and witnessing the pressing process, you'll gain an insider's perspective on one of the most important moments in the winemaking calendar. Throughout the day, you'll learn from the talented team behind this pioneering estate, including Vineyard Manager Nick Cran-Crombie and Head Winemaker Felix Gabillet, who oversees the transformation of freshly harvested grapes into Hambledon's award-winning sparkling wines. Your experience begins with tea, coffee and pastries before heading into the vineyard to harvest grapes. You'll enjoy an in situ masterclass on how vineyards assess ripeness and determine the optimal time to harvest. From there, we'll make our way to the winery, where Félix will share his first impressions of the fruit, discuss the challenges and opportunities of the vintage, and provide a tour and explanation of Hambledon's winemaking process. Depending on conditions, there may even be the chance to taste freshly pressed grape juice straight from the press. The day continues with an engaging and educational tasting of three Hambledon sparkling wines, offering insight into the estate's distinctive style and approach. Following the tasting, we'll gather in the stunning Visitor Centre for a relaxed harvest-style sharing lunch. Lunch will be served with a selection of Hambledon sparkling wines, alongside still wines selected from Hambledon's restaurant list. We hope you can join us for this unforgettable day discovering the dedication, craftsmanship and passion behind one of Britain's finest sparkling wine producers.