A Guide to Suffolk’s Best Vineyards and Wineries
By Carl Scott
Whilst we’ve spent plenty of time espousing the impressive breweries to be found around Suffolk – for good reason, of course – it’s well worth pointing out that there are also many great vineyards and wineries producing outstanding selections of whites and reds. To give you a glimpse into some of those we’d recommend sampling when staying at our Barns and Barges for rent, we’ve put together a short guide.
Giffords Hall Vineyard
Located just a short distance outside of Bury St Edmunds, the Giffords Hall Vineyard is a family-owned estate which has been reliably producing some of the finest wines in Suffolk for over forty years. Blessed with the optimal conditions and soil for growing English grapes, this vineyard offers guided and detailed tours to visitors which provide a rich insight into their techniques and processes. Naturally, there’s a sampling session which takes place after this tour which allows guests to see for themselves why Giffords Hall has won awards for their fantastic wines.
Shawsgate Vineyard
Conveniently located just a short distance from your home away from home (that’s our Barns and Barges for rent), the Shawsgate Vineyard in Framlingham is another family-run estate which has been serving up fine wines for fifty years. Interestingly, it’s the microclimate here which lends the environment some good grape-growing conditions. Renowned for their quality and complexity, the wines produced by Shawsgate can be enjoyed in their cosy tasting rooms which is the end destination for each of their guided tours. Bringing together that classic Suffolk hospitality with some of the best refreshments around, this is a spot you won’t want to miss when visiting Suffolk.
Wyken Vineyards
Bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to Suffolk, Wyken Vineyards is another Suffolk destination blessed with a microclimate ideal for growing essential grape varietals. From Pinot Noir to Chardonnay and more unique flavours, this vineyard is situated on an estate which features sprawling woodlands and perfectly manicured lawns. As if sampling the wines wasn’t attractive enough, the adjacent Leaping Hare Restaurant serves up locally sourced dishes that go perfectly with the wines on offer. Quite the destination for a day and night out in Suffolk…
Dedham Vale Vineyard
Offering wine on the water, the Dedham Vale Vineyard is situated on the banks of the River Stour. Surrounded by the kind of natural beauty you would expect for a coastal vineyard, this destination is the place to go for wine connoisseurs and casual enjoyers alike. With a premium range waiting to be sampled after a guided tour, we simply can’t recommend the place highly enough.
To get out and experience these vineyards as part of an unforgettable holiday in Suffolk, be sure to take a look at our Barns and Barges for rent.
