Set amongst the Nottinghamshire rolling countryside, Hanwell Wine Estate is the largest champagne only grape variety vineyard in the East Midlands.
Following in her family footsteps Helenka Brown, founded Hanwell Wine Estate in 2012 ยญ the name Hanwell being a fusion of their childrenโs names ยญ- specialising in English sparkling wine using the traditional champagne method. The grape varieties ๏ฌrst harvested in 2015 were Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, which resulted in the launch of Hanwellโs ๏ฌrst sparkling wine in 2018. Today, the estate boasts around 8,000 vines that are lovingly tended to by the family and supported by a team of local employees and volunteers.
Helenka followed on from her father, Tony Skuriat, who ๏ฌrst planted his own vineyard here in the East Midlands in the 1970s, after 20 years of trialling more than 250 varieties of grapes, he was able to produce multi-award winning dessert wine, made here in Nottinghamshire.
There are Vineyard Tours & Tastings available to book, giving the opportunity to hear the tales of Nottinghamshire vineyard life beginning in the 1970s, while having a wander around the vineyard then ๏ฌnally enjoying a tutored tasting of six local wines. Or you might favour a relaxed selfยญguided vineyard and nature trail, followed by your own โDo it yourselfโ wine tasting experience. Then onto Hanwell Cafรฉ Bar which provides an array of delicious home cooked light bites and cakes, including afternoon tea and a sparkling picnic.
In keeping with the handcrafted wine making, there are also variety of art & craft workshops held in the Rural Antics Barn. You could spend a morning, afternoon or full day making anything from a Bentwood chair to learning to oil paint, all in the inspiring surroundings of the vineyard. The vineyard is dormant through the winter and wakes up in April, the vines then grow throughout the summer until they are ready to harvest in October. The harvest is a great community affair, with volunteers welcomed and a delicious harvest supper served at the end of the day!
Hanwell are currently running a competition to WIN a Vineyard tour including wine tasting for two people, with a ยฃ20 wine credit. Head to page 31 of our latest issue to find out how to enter!
Check out their website for more info and to view the upcoming events https://www.hanwellwine.co.uk
