As if we need an excuse to drink vino, it’s English Wine Week from 17 – 23 June and Suffolk & Cambs has lashings of lovely vineyards where you can try and buy. Here are some of our favourites…

Muddy’s pick… Burnt House Vineyard, Stowmarket

bottles of English wine at a Suffolk vineyard

What? Nestled on a south-facing slope in the heart of Suffolk, this sustainable-run vineyard is on the site of the family farm that has been on these 12 acres since 1925. The vineyard produces both still and sparkling wines and specialises in Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Bacchus grapes. We recently tried some at a tasting and can confirm they are all extremely quaffable.

Where? You’ll find the farm on the outskirts of Little Finborough in the glorious mid Suffolk countryside between Stowmarket and Needham Market.

How do I try? You can visit this vineyard with a restaurant and shop to try then buy or head to a tasting event that they’re attending. You can also book a vineyard tour, head to one of their foodie events such as dining in the vines or enjoy a picnic in the vines with locally sourced goodies carefully selected to bring out the flavours of the wine. For English Wine Week 2024 Burnt House Vineyard are hosting the East Anglian Wine Market from 12pm – 6pm on 22nd June and it’s sure to be a wine lover’s dream.

Stand-out sip: With aromas of elderflower and green apple, The Burnt House Bacchus 2023 is perfect for English Wine Week – pair it with a summer dinner of salad or fish.

Wyken Vineyards, Stanton

English wine week at suffolk vineyard — Image: Visit East of England

What? The vines at Wyken Vineyards were planted back in 1988 and there are now some 12,000 vines which produce around the same number of bottles a year. It’s one of our favourite places to visit with a shop, Leaping Hare restaurant and gardens and walks to be discovered.

Where? Wyken is part of a 1200-acre farm on the outskirts of Stanton in Suffolk. Seven acres are devoted to vines which produce award-winning wines.

How do I try? All wines are sold through the website, shop or at the Moonshine Café – a renovated old farm workshop with a wood-fired pizza oven that started as a project during lock down is now permanent, with an al fresco area with fire chimneys and heaters to keep you toasty. There’s a Saturday farmers’ market, so you can pick up some lovely local food to go with your drink too, plus you can book yourself a vineyard tour on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the summer.

Stand-out sip: The Bacchus, a dry wine with the character of a sauvignon blanc, which was a Gold Medal Winner in 2017.

Giffords Hall Vineyard

Team Muddy testing out the wine at Giffords Hall

What? Giffords Hall is a family-run vineyard planted around 25 years ago on the site of an ancient glacial riverbed (good soil for grapes apparently!).

Where? You’ll find Giffords a few miles outside Bury St Edmunds near the pretty village of Hartest. In the summer vineyard tours and tastings are available and The Cellar Door Shop sells some lovely gifty bits including candles, cards, and glassware.

How do I try? You can buy directly from the vineyard or find bottles at the Suffolk Food Hall and Waitrose.

Stand-out sip: The range of wines includes an aromatic Bacchus and a fruity red Pinot Noir blend, but it’s the award-winning Giffords Hall Rosé that you’ll find us knocking back regularly.

Shawsgate Vineyard, Framlingham

What? Shawsgate is one of Suffolk’s oldest vineyards (planted in the 1970s) and so has a great range of white, red, rosé and sparkling wines from its 20 acres of vines. It’s a nice place for a day out as there’s a play area, space for picnics and you can do a tour followed by afternoon tea.

Where? The vineyard is just outside Framlingham in Suffolk, so you can combine a tour of the vines with a tour of the castle for the perfect day out.

How do I try? Bottles are available online or from the vineyard shop and you can take part in tours, tastings, and experiences days.

Stand-out sip: Sparkling Rose Blush Frampaign NV (see what they did there?!), they had us at ‘smooth with buttery and biscuit undertones’. Best enjoyed chilled in a garden.

Valley Farm Vineyards, Wissett

What? This 8-acre vineyard was planted back in 1987 but taken over by current owners Elaine and Vanessa in 2014 when they were looking for a change in their pace of life. They produce five types of grape, specialising in white, rosé, blush and sparkling wines.

Where? Wissett (near Halesworth) in Suffolk. Tasted a few too many glasses of the good stuff during a visit here? Probably best to book yourself in to the holiday accommodation on site – The cabin-in-the-vines!

How do I try? Bottles are for sale at the vineyard, online and at local stockists

Stand-out sip: The Madeleine Angevine dry white is an award-winner. Their English sparkling Sundancer is a lip-smacking local alternative to champers.

Chilford Hall Vineyard, near Linton

What? Chilford Hall Vineyard is owned by the Alper Family, who made their money in the Little Chef chains. But don’t worry, the wines produced here are much classier than your average Little Chef fry up! The first vines were planted in 1972 and it is now one of the most famous and celebrated vineyards in East Anglia.

Where? Chilford Hall is near Linton, a village outside Cambridge. The 20 acres of vines are situated on the rolling chalk hills of the Cambridgeshire Downs, which have similar soil to the Champagne region. In the past the winery has held wine tasting and tours through the summer months and has a shop in the stunning grounds of the Hall. In 2023 all tours were cancelled due to water damage so keep an eye out on socials for 2024 to see when they resume.

How do I try? You can buy directly from the website.

Stand-out sip: The Chancellor (great name!) is a light sparkling wine that has won awards for its green apple, pear and lemon zest flavours.

Ark Wines at Mount Farm Vineyard, Sudbury

What? A relative newcomer to the Suffolk wine scene, Ark Wines at Mount Farm Vineyards was planted in 2019 near Sudbury in the Stour Valley by a Swedish family. Swedes might not be known for their expertise when it comes to vineyards, but Hans and Kristin along with their daughter Amanda are proving that you don’t need French blood in your veins to create a top class tipple. There are 6 hectares of vines here with an on-site winery and they specialise in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also experiment with Pinot Gris, Riesling, Bacchus, Acolon, Pinot Meunier and Gamay. So there’s something to suit all tastes.

Where? Just a stone’s throw from Gifford’s Hall, Ark Wines is between Shimpling and Stansted, near Bury St Edmunds.

How do I try? You can buy directly from the website here or keep an eye out for Ark Wines at local tasting events.

Stand-out sip: Their 2021 Bacchus is described as a bold spin on a traditional English Bacchus, being a smokey and aromatic white wine, with hints of toffee popcorn and cedar.

Saffron Grange, Saffron Walden

What? Saffron Grange is well-known in the area for its award-winning sparkling wine. The family-run local vineyard has been running on the site since 2008 and the team now have four delicious wines for you to buy. And why the Woolly Mammoth logo, we hear you ask? That’s because tusks and teeth of these ancient giants have been unearthed in the River Slade which runs along the bottom of the site!

Where? It’s based in Little Walden, just on the border of Cambs and Essex – on the sunny southern slopes of the village, which combined with the perfect chalky soil conditions (the same chalk seam that runs through Northern France) makes for very happy grapes.

How do I try? You can buy directly from the vineyard’s website here or why not book in for a tasting to celebrate English Wine Week.

Stand-out sip The Classic Cuvée is a delight – a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier.

Dedham Vale Vineyard, Boxted

What? There’s been a vineyard here for more than 25 years and the onsite winery (powered by renewable energy sources) now produces a sparkling wine, whites and a red.

Where? This 40-acre vineyard is on the edge of the Stour Valley in the beautiful Constable Country (technically Essex, but close enough to the border for us to claim it as Suffolk!).

How do I try? There’s a vineyard shop and you can buy the bottles to be delivered at home directly from the website. There’s also a tasting barn for (you’ve guessed it) tastings, weddings and other events.

Stand-out sip: If you’ve got something to celebrate, crack open a DV Sparkling English Brut 2018.

Just want wine without the vine?

Celebrate English Wine Week at The Wine Cellar in Bury St Edmunds. Owner and wine expert Bradley is doing a talk at The Burnt House Vineyard East Anglian Wine Market on 22 June or you can simply head to the Bury St Edmunds branch and work your way through the amazing wine list, which features wines from Kent and Essex as well as from all around the world.

Glug! Local vineyards to visit in English Wine Week

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