English Wine Week is here- and for us, it’s a better opportunity than ever to enjoy English wines throughout what promises to be a beautifully sunny week in the South Downs.
Of course, not everybody is lucky enough to have a local vineyard on their doorstep, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the celebrations. Here are our favourite ways to celebrate our wonderful industry.
The Picnic
There’s nothing more quintessentially British than taking to our green spaces for al-fresco dining, the moment the sun peeks from behind the clouds. And, why not? There’s a nostalgic joy in unrolling a tartan blanket on the grass, lying back and indulging in ‘picky bits’ with friends. It’s an uninhibited type of joy that has permeated through generations. Paired with a perfectly chilled glass of sparkling wine, there’s really no place we’d rather be.
Our Picnic pick?
- Chalk Stream Trout, Cream Cheese and Chive Sandwiches: perfect with Classic Cuvée Rosé
The Beach Day
Too hot for the hills? We’re blessed with some beautiful beaches, rivers and lakes here in England, and with the increased popularity of cold-water swimming, many are discovering beauty spots that have long hidden in plain sight. Whether you’re swimming, paddleboarding, or taking a boat out, it’s always a day to remember- and is best concluded with sparkling wine at sunset.
Our Post-Swim Favourite:
- A golden hour apéritif- dry off, head to the garden and enjoy a glass of Classic Cuvée before a well-earned dinner.
*Never enter the water after consuming alcohol- safety comes first.
The Barbecue
Sunny day barbecues come as naturally to Brits as the aforementioned picnics. Enjoy a barbecue properly this English Wine Week. Start with your local butcher: if you don’t go regularly, you’ll be astounded by the variety of meats available, and as a bonus, they’re usually locally sourced and of excellent quality. For meat-free guests, it’s a great chance to get adventurous with seasonal vegetables, grillable cheeses and more.
It goes without saying that cooking over fire adds an extra layer of flavour complexity that can’t be replicated anywhere else. But, more than anything, barbecues are about bringing people together for hearty, shared dishes and good company on those hazy, summer afternoons. Don’t want to cook? Join us on 11th July for our Open Fire Tasting Menu in collaboration with Luke Holder, Chef Director of Hartnett, Holder & Co.
Our Barbecue favourite?
- Première Cuvée Rosé- it’s a wine made for food, that sings alongside the smoky flavours of wood-fired cooking.
The Heritage Weekend
As the UK’s first commercial vineyard, heritage is close to our hearts here at Hambledon. But, country-wide, we’re lucky to have an encyclopaedic collection of historic monuments to explore. They might be obvious- think about those weekend strolls around the gardens of National Trust houses, punctuated by ice cream breaks and remarks of “oh, how beautiful!”. Or, they may be hiding in plain sight- within a thirty-minute radius of Hambledon, you can find many country walks that take you to Iron Age Hillforts, Bronze Age burial mounds and more.
Whether you’re a history buff or simply stumble across a small part of our heritage, it’s always breathtaking to imagine how life has changed over thousands of years, in the place where you stand.
For when you're home:
- Finish the day with a bottle of Première Cuvée, good bread, butter and local cheese. It’s too hot to cook, after all.
Make Time for the Little Things
There’s something about the English heat that feels different, somehow. Many will find themselves feeling like there’s nothing they would enjoy more than to lie in the shade and, for once, do nothing. Why not take the opportunity to start that book you’ve been meaning to read for months, or try your hand at painting, or gardening? Life sometimes gets in the way of the little things- and when the temperatures are set to hit 35 degrees or more, there’s no time better than the present to slow down a little.
Celebrate a Slower Pace
- Enjoy a new experience alongside a glass of our Award-Winning Blanc de Blancs (Decanter, IWSC and Drinks Business GOLD, 2026); it’s one of those bottles that many save for a ‘special occasion’- but in the spirit of seizing the moment, English Wine Week is the perfect time to indulge.