Sunday 3rd June 2018 was a glorious sunny summer afternoon for me, taking up an invitation from owners Bruce and Sybilla Tyndale to visit their High Clandon Vineyard in the beautiful Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, enjoy the sunshine, the sculpture garden and a glass or two of the gorgeous Elysium Cuvée Vintage Brut 2013 - and support English Wine Week, the National Gardens Scheme and local charity, Cherry Trees, which offers respite care for children with disabilities.

Winner of the IWC Cellar Door Award 2017 and again in 2018, High Clandon’s fabulous Glass Barn tasting venue was the starting point for the display of spectacular art and sculpture set against a backdrop of English wild flower meadows leading down to the Vineyard.  The Elysium Cuvée was on offer by the glass to further enhance the experience: for drivers, little ones and those in need of something softer, an outdoor tea shop was staffed by Cherry Trees’ volunteers.

It was one of those days when you wished money was no object. At the end of the first hour I had mentally “purchased” several thousands of pounds worth of art and sculpture, in addition to several cases and all remaining magnums of High Clandon’s superb English Sparkling wines. In reality I simply resigned myself to admiring from afar and treated myself to another glass of the irresistible Elysium Cuvée 2013, having tasted and purchased at an English Wine Week event in Guildford earlier that month.

The Elysium Cuvee 2013 75cl is sadly sold out but Magnums are still in stock

Also available online and from the Glass Barn during opening hours:

Endymion Cuvée Prestige Vintage 2015 Brut 75cl

Halcyon Cuvée Grand Vintage 2014 Brut

Essence Eau de Vie de Vin 2017 37.5cl 

If the Glass Barn is closed during your visit to the Surrey Hills, High Clandon’s multi-Award-winning English Sparkling Wines are also available online and if time permits, see if they have any behind the bar at the Queen's Head in East Clandon.

High Clandon Estate Vineyard, Clandon Downs, East Clandon, Guildford GU4 7RP;

Telephone:                  01483 225660;

email:                         finewine@highclandon.co.uk

website / online shop: www.highclandon.co.uk