Check out map of England’s ‘ultimate wine trips’
21st March 2024
A new map has been launched to showcase England’s ‘ultimate wine trips’ and encourage wine enthusiasts to visit less-known wineries.
WineGB South East, the regional association that represents almost 60% of vineyards planted in the UK, unveiled the free map that aims to present wineries in the South East. The map is available both in paper and digital format.
Tourism is a huge part of most wineries’ operations in the UK, with 24% of income for most producers coming from visitors. The new map features over 40 different wineries in South East England, all within a 60-mile radius of London.
Planning a day trip
It also highlights many of the region’s diverse producers, from the larger and more established to the new, or smaller and less well known. The map shines a light on one of the most diverse wine regions, not only in the UK but also in the world, raising the overall profile of the fast-growing English wine landscape.
The map shows the inter-connected nature of the industry, meaning a day trip to a mixture of sites is possible. It also illustrates the huge growth in the industry, with a further 700 hectares planted across the UK in the last year alone.
As well as the growing number of wineries, the map also illustrates the variety in the category, with sites in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and central London all showcased – alongside accessibility requirements, facilities and even sustainable status.
READ MORE: International ‘wine train’ will take passengers to best European vineyards
Wine is about experience and place
Fergus Elias, chair of Wine GB South East and head winemaker at Balfour Winery, said he believes that the map will help people explore England’s wine landscape with confidence and support all vineyards featured.
He added: “Wine is about experience and place. And for us, this map very literally showcases the ease and accessibility of our vineyards in the UK. There’s nothing like visiting a landscape to get a true sense of the wine it produces – but for many, they might not realise just how easy that is.
“Just a short train or car journey from central London, and you can be in some of the most stunning (and rewarding) wineries in Europe – with a huge variety of styles and wines on offer. It’s the ultimate wine trip.”
A digital version of the map can be found here.
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