Local Vineyards To Visit
Bardfield Vineyard, Great Lodge Braintree Rd, Braintree CM7 4QD – rows of vines sweep across the hillside and frame one of Essex’s most characterful small wineries. Its centrepiece is the Anne of Cleves Barn, a beautifully restored historic building linked to the Tudor estate once granted to Anne of Cleves after her annulment from Henry VIII. Today, the barn provides an atmospheric backdrop for tastings, tours, and events, blending centuries‑old heritage with the vineyard’s modern craft.
View Website : www.greatlodge.co.uk
Saffron Grange Vineyard, Rowley Hill Farm, Little Walden Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1UZ – one of Essex’s standout modern wine estates, set on the chalky slopes just outside Saffron Walden. Its location is no accident — the land shares the same ancient chalk seam that runs through the Champagne region of France, giving the vineyard ideal conditions for producing high‑quality English sparkling wines. Visitors can join guided tours that explore the vines, the winemaking process, and the geology that makes the site so special, often finishing with tastings on the terrace overlooking the rolling countryside.
View Website : www.saffrongrange.com
New Hall Wine Estate, Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6PN – one of England’s oldest commercial vineyards, with a winemaking history on the site dating back to 1120. Known for producing award‑winning still and sparkling wines, particularly Bacchus and Pinot varieties that thrive in Essex’s warm, dry climate.
View Website : www.newhallwines.com