Life at the vIneyard

A Labour of Love

Making wine is a labour of love and our vineyard team works hard all year round, in all weathers...

A Labour of Love

Today Hambledon comprises over 200 acres spread over numberous vineyard sites. Each vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – the three grape varieties most commonly used in the production of Champagne. 

Home Vineyard is planted on the steep Southeast-facing slope immediately beneath Mill Down House at between 50 and 100m above sea level. A larger Windmill Down Vineyard spreads across the Southeast-facing slopes to the west of the house and winery. A third vineyard to the east of the house is, unsurprisingly, called East Vineyard! Two other large sites within the village of Hambledon comprise our remaining vines. 

Making wine is a labour of love and our vineyard team works hard all year round, in all weathers.  Our 100,000 established vines must be pruned by hand - like pruning the roses in your garden - and the grapes are handpicked in September and October. Our presses and winery are located on site, which means we can minimize the time between picking and pressing - a crucial factor to ensure the quality of the wine.