Author: Round & About

Tis the season to raise a glass or two – please drink responsibly

What’s your tipple? A zesty fragrant gin, a hoppy brew that packs a punch or perhaps you like to add a little fizz to your festivities with a sparkling wine – pop a cork and celebrate! 

The region’s distilleries, breweries and vineyards are clinking glasses to another great year of homegrown favourites for your pleasure. 

Hambledon’s Classic Cuvée is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, handpicked from vineyards set on the prized chalk soils of Hampshire’s South Downs National Park. White gold in the glass, it balances freshness with elegance. Rosé isn’t just for summer and Hambledon’s Classic Cuvée Rosé is the perfect festive accompaniment with your Christmas canapés – it’s sure to impress your guests! Buy or book a tour at hambledonvineyard.co.uk 

Passion and dedication go into every bottle produced at Greyfriars Vineyard in Puttenham whose multi award-winning wines will definitely add extra sparkle to your celebrations. Not sure which to enjoy? Visit the tasting room and cellar door shop for expert advice. 

Savour views of the vineyard and towards the North Downs at family-owned Chilworth Manor Vineyard for contemporary wines steeped in 1,000 years of history. Choose from crisp sparkling varieties and a still rosé. 

Children, dogs and muddy boots are welcome at Albury Organic Vineyard where you can enjoy a relaxed, informal experience learning more about their sparkling rosé, cuvees and Silent Pool Rosé among others. The vineyard prides itself on its commitment to sustainability. 

Taste the ‘Quintessence of England’ at High Clandon Estate Vineyard, their name for an English champagne, at this multi-gold awarded boutique vineyard using the classic trio of champagne grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. 

The unique setting for Upperton Vineyard provides a very special combination of ingredients, 
perfect for growing the finest vines of which there are now 6,000 producing between 6,000 and 10,000 bottles of high-quality sparkling wine a year at Tillington, near Petworth. 

Blending 13th century flavours with 21st century production methods, Magna Carta Spirits are adding a touch of history to their gin. Distilled a stone’s throw from the Thames, raise a glass to Runnymede and find yourself “transported back in time with notes of juniper, lemon, green peppercorn, orange, hibiscus and tonka beans” in bottles crafted to resemble fine porcelain. This year they’ve added spice-packed Magna Carta Rum to their award-winning gin and 5cl pouches ideal for travel, picnics and gifts. Buy at magnacartaspirits.co.uk 

One of Surrey’s best-known tipples, Silent Pool has been lovingly distilled in Albury since 2013. Its distinctive turquoise-coloured bottles will be familiar to many and over the years in addition to the original rich juniper spirit they have added Rose Expression, Rare Citrus Gin, English Garden Expression Gin and the sleek looking Black Juniper Gin. 

I love a good story and a good gin so what better than one which is inspired by one of our finest authors. The Surrey Copper Distillery in Cranleigh makes a library of distinctive spirits including their Copperfield Gin so named after founder Katherine Smart found a copy of The Complete Distiller nestled among beautifully-bound copies of Charles Dickens’ Collected Works in a London book shop. In addition to the three gins – Volume One, Two and Three, you can also enjoy Sanditon Caribbean rum and Mad Hatter vodka. 

There’s no mystery to the success of award-winning, small batch Distillers of Surrey. Craftsmanship is at the heart of their Sherlock & Sons gin – Aromatic, Solstice and Nautical, all with distinct flavours and if you can’t decide try their mini selection set. 

Ginfluencers are at the heart of what the Village Sprit Collective in Hambledon is all about. The local community, ie the ginfluencers assist in the development of the gin by contributing to the flavour profile adding community spirit in more ways than one to their range. 

Inspired by their beautiful surroundings the Hogmoor Distillery based in Bordon is proudly environmentally friendly. Don’t be surprised if you see them out foraging locally for botanicals for their gins and liqueurs. The unique bottles are hand dipped in wax to give them Hogmoor’s distinctive look. Check out their GINcredible which supports Charlie’s Angels for brain tumour research. 

Crafty Brewing in Dunsfold brews contemporary and traditional beer. Their unpretentious brews are quaffable whether you’re a fan of Real Ale or Craft Beer. As they say: “We’re not old fashioned. We’re not too trendy. We just keep it crafty.” 

Creating beers that bring people together is at the heart of Langham Brewery at Lodsworth where each pint is brewed with “care, consistency and a deep respect for the craft”. Tradition and innovation combine to produce their brews. 

In the heart of the Surrey hop growing region in Tongham, Hogs Back Brewery has been making genuinely local beer since 1992. Traditional favourites TEA and Surrey Nirvana are at the heart of the cask range with new brews adding contemporary notes.  

Beer and music often go hand in hand so why not combine the two? Triple fff Brewery in Four Marks names all its beer after song or album titles. The multi-award winning brewery produces year-round favourites alongside its seasonal brews.