There’s something about that week between Christmas and New Year that calls for getting out of the house together. The pace of things has calmed down a bit, everyone’s in a good mood, no one is totally sure what day it is and you’ve suddenly got the time to do the sort of day out you keep meaning to plan. If you’re looking for a festive tradition you can happily repeat every year, Hambledon is a lovely one to add to the agenda.
Set in the South Downs National Park, the estate is beautiful in mid-winter. The vineyard views are crisp, and the sounds of the ground crunching underfoot, and the fresh air on your face under the layers of new woolly hats and scarves make that glass of sparkling wine taste even better when you’ve earned it with a little countryside wandering.
We recommend starting with our Estate Tour & Wine Tasting to make a proper occasion of it. It’ll begin with a guided stroll through the vineyard, then head into the winery and down into our chalk cellars to see where the wines come to life in secondary fermentation. The experience finishes in our Tasting Room with a guided tasting of three of our sparkling wines, with plenty of time for questions and a bit of festive chat along the way.
As an extra little celebration - ‘tis the season after all - we’ll also be opening a limited-edition magnums of Classic Cuvée for our December guests. These are bottles that have been tucked away for a ‘special occasion’, and what is more special than a new tradition? It’s also said that magnum is the ideal format to drink sparkling wine, matching the occasion perfectly.
Once the tour’s finished up, you can keep the day going in whatever way suits your group. If you fancy lunch, book a table in The Restaurant and settle in with beautiful views over the vineyard. Our menus are inspired by the rich local larder of Hampshire, the South Downs and the produce foraged on our doorstep and kitchen garden. We’re lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the UK’s best producers, making dining here a real treat. It’s an easy way to stretch the outing into a proper Twixtmas get-together, especially if you’ve got family or friends staying.
If you’d rather keep things relaxed, come and tuck into a cheese or charcuterie board, then wander over to the cosy bar for a well-earned drink. You can keep it classic with a glass of Hambledon, or switch it up with cocktails or local beers and ciders if that’s more your pace.
If you’re making a full day of it with lunch or dinner, it’s worth a quick look at our festive service times while you plan.
The Restaurant is serving through December with lunch from 12.00noon to 2.00pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 8.00pm on most dates. We’re closed on the 25th and 26th of December, then open again on the 27th through to the 30th of December, with lunch-only service on the 31st of December and the 1st of January.
If you like the idea of building a walk into the plan…
Our Hambledon walking routes are a great way to get some fresh air in before you settle into tasting. There’s something very satisfying about coming in rosy-cheeked from the countryside and ending the day somewhere warm, welcoming and festive. A couple of our favourites are:
For something short and satisfying, The Digestif is a relaxed 2.5 kilometre loop that takes in the estate and is ideal before lunch or as a post-tour leg-stretcher.
If you fancy a little more countryside without turning it into an all-day mission, A Gentle Countryside Stroll is a 6 kilometre route that starts and finishes at the vineyard, with 146 metres of total elevation and some lovely open views across the Meon Valley as you head out into the surrounding farmland.
Before you head home, it’s worth popping into the Cellar Door Shop beneath the restaurant. It’s ideal for stocking up for New Year’s Eve, picking up a bottle for whoever’s hosting next or a keepsake to open later in the year.