Norfolk Vineyard Tours

English Vineyard Experiences

Discover our English vineyard experiences and the secrets behind the making of our award-winning wines from amongst the vines, or from the comfort of your own home with our range of guided vineyard tours and virtual tasting options.

Since planting the first vines at Chet Valley Vineyard, owner John Hemmant has aimed to deliver value beyond award-winning wine. Sharing our craft with our valued guests has always been at the heart of the Chet Valley Vineyard experience, with our range of carefully curated hands-on activities offering our valued guests the unforgettable opportunity to experience the joy of winemaking, from vine to glass.

  • The Millers
    “Fantastic tour with a relaxed and informative host.  Wine is great and so is the food”
    The Millers
  • Merrick Family
    “Impromptu visit! Informative & helpful.  Thank you for the opportunity to try and buy your wine! Delicious”
    Merrick Family
  •  Karen Taylor
    “Thank you so much, we thoroughly enjoyed our vineyard tour and wine tasting.  Yummy wine and appreciate all your hard work – well done”
    Karen Taylor
  • Chris Hill
    “Interesting discussion on the efforts to encourage wildlife and pollinators around the vineyard”
    Chris Hill
    EDP
  • Carmel & Friends
    “Beautiful vineyard, very relaxed tasting wines on the balcony”
    Carmel & Friends
  • Shrimpton Family
    “Great tour, very informative throughout.  Fantastic wine tasting.  Fun and factful. Thank you for an amazing afternoon”
    Shrimpton Family
  • The Mitchell Family
    “Great guide and tasting, very informative, we all loved every aspect of the tour.  Thank you”
    The Mitchell Family
  • Seb
    “Lovely, will definitely support local wines now!”
    Seb
  • Robin Muhondwa
    “We had a lovely time seeing the ins and outs of wine making, then a really nice afternoon picnic at the bottom of the vineyard – thank you!”
    Robin Muhondwa
  • Ferguson Family
    “Great tour, excellent knowledge and wonderful wine”
    Ferguson Family
  • L Painvin
    “Wonderful afternoon with wine and lots of laughter! Perfect combination.  Can’t wait to come again”
    L Painvin
  • D Jefferies
    “Wonderful visit, lovely staff & great food – excellent wine!”
    D Jefferies
  • Tracey & Jonathan McManus
    “Cheers to a fab and tasty tour!  Look forward to cracking open the Skylark and Horatio”
    Tracey & Jonathan McManus
  • The Maddisons
    “Above & beyond service.  A very educational and enjoyable visit.  Thank you”
    The Maddisons

Wine Tasting Tours

Uncover the story behind our artisan English wines from between the rows themselves on an exclusive vineyard tour led by Norfolk’s original winemaker, John Hemmant.

Exploring every aspect of the growing and winemaking processes, this immersive vineyard experience offers endless inspiration – alongside the opportunity to taste our award-winning wines in the beautiful Norfolk countryside.

Virtual Wine Tasting

Experience the magic of the vineyard from anywhere in the world with our popular virtual wine tasting sessions, held in the form of simple video conferencing calls.

Our at-home wine tasting guests may enjoy a carefully curated tasting kit composed of Chet Valley Vineyard’s best wines with the guidance of head winemaker John Hemmant, who will transport you into his Norfolk Vineyard from the comfort of your own home.

Vineyard Picnics

Give your loved one the gift of an unforgettable day in the Norfolk countryside to look forward to this summer with our vineyard picnic packages.

Chet Valley Vineyard’s luxury picnic menu features locally sourced foods, including charcuterie, ham, cheese, freshly baked bread, and a delightful garden salad plus a potato salad, followed by strawberries and cream. All accompanied by a fabulous bottle of Chet Valley wine. The exact contents of the picnic may vary according to availability and may differ from the image shown on our website.

Expert Guide

All vineyard tours and wine tastings held at Chet Valley are led by our experienced winemaker, who possesses an extensive understanding of and experience in both traditional and new winemaking techniques. John’s knowledge and storytelling give our guests the opportunity to gain valuable insight into every aspect of the winemaking process.

Sample Award-Winning Wines

Our heavily decorated wine range is the highlight of our vineyard tour and tasting experiences for many of our customers. With our options offering large samples or bottles of between four and six of our best-loved creations, you’re sure to discover a wide variety of delightfully unique tastes, from aromatic whites to fruit-forward rosés.

Experience the Vineyard from Anywhere

With both in-person and online wine tasting experiences available, the joy of winemaking at Chet Valley Vineyard can truly be experienced from anywhere in the world – whether from amongst our sun-soaked vines in South Norfolk or from your own home with the assistance of a virtual wine tasting kit.

OUR WINES

Browse Chet Valley’s range of artisan sparkling and still English wines, handcrafted using distinct varieties of cool-climate grapes grown in our family-owned vineyard here in South Norfolk.

The grape varieties grown at Chet Valley Vineyard include Solaris, Phoenix, Schönburger, Chardonnay, and Seyval Blanc grown alongside reds such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Cabernet Noir, and Regent, using traditional techniques optimised to our British terroir. From our award-winning Charmat-style ‘Skylark’ wines and flagship Méthode Champenoise, ‘Horatio’, to our varietal stills including our ‘Redwing’ rosé, there’s a bottle in our range to suit every palette.

  • leader icon
    Our vision is to create the finest English wines in a sustainable way by marrying technical expertise with sensitivity to the grapes both in the field and in the winery giving our wine drinkers an excellent experience.

Other Things To Do

Vineyard Holidays

Discover the Vine House, an exclusive holiday cottage set in rural Norfolk, with uninterrupted views across Chet Valley’s 10-hectare vineyard.

Tours & Tastings

Discover the secrets behind our award-winning wines with a tour through the vines on our single estate vineyard followed by a look behind the scenes in the winery where the magic happens, followed by a tasting of our range of still and sparkling wines

Events

Explore and book our wide range of community-driven events held throughout the year, ranging from our annual grape harvest to wine tastings and picnics at our Norfolk vineyard.

Venue Hire

Our beautiful indoor and outdoor vineyard venues are perfect locations for any occasion, including celebrations, away days and corporate events. Coming soon.

Virtual Wine Tasting

Our public, private, and corporate virtual wine tasting sessions, held over ZOOM, are attended by small groups of like-minded wine lovers.

Vineyard Tours FAQ’s

What happens on a winery tour?

The exact contents of a winery tour depend on the tour you attend! If the tour is of a winery only, and does not include a tour of the vineyard, you will be taken through the building in which the wine is produced, shown the processes, and, most likely be able to sample some of the maker’s wine upon the conclusion of the tour.

Chet Valley’s tours include both the vineyard and the winery, meaning our visitors are led through our well-established vineyard by head winemaker, John Hemmant, and are encouraged to ask questions whilst listening to stories including the history of the land, and the varieties of grapes grown. Following this, guests are invited into the winery, where they can witness the production process. At the conclusion of the tour, guests are provided with samples at least four of our best-loved wines, which may be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather.

What should I bring on a wine tasting trip?

Popular tips for those attending wine tours and tastings include:

Do not wear perfume or cologne. They may interfere with your ability to identify or properly experience the aroma of the wine.

For those attending tours on days expected to be sunny and bright, sunglasses can be helpful.

Guests attending Chet Valley’s Vineyard tours and tastings needn’t bring much, but are advised to pack or wear flat or comfortable shoes, as much of the tour takes place outdoors on the vineyard.

How does a virtual wine tasting work?

The perfect way to experience wine with friends, family, and colleagues from afar, our newly introduced virtual tasting sessions offer wine novices and enthusiasts alike the opportunity to receive expert guidance from Norfolk’s original winemaker and owner of Chet Valley Vineyard, John Hemmant, whilst enjoying a range of our award-winning English wines from anywhere in the UK.

Those purchasing a virtual wine tasting kit are sent their requested case of wine, tasting notes, and stoppers, alongside the ZOOM passcode for the virtual tasting event selected at the point of checkout. When the selected day arrives, simply paste the provided link into your browser, log on, and enjoy a live tasting from wherever you are!

How long does a vineyard tour last?

A truly immersive and interactive experience, our wine tasting tour lasts approximately two hours. Starting at the New Cellar door and shop before moving into 10 acres of well-established vineyard, this immersive experience allows guests to walk amongst the vines during an interactive talk, throughout which questions are encouraged.

After a short walk through the vineyard, the tour returns to the new winery, where John explains the details of the winemaking process, and demonstrates the various steps of sparkling wine production – a real treat for those interested in wine, the winemaking process and those who enjoy the end-result of this labour of love​.

Finally, guests enjoy generous samples of five or more of Chet Valley’s award-winning wines, accompanied by locally produced cheese and charcuterie whilst sitting under the walnut tree by the vineyard, or, on the winery balcony, overlooking our beautiful slice of the English countryside. Following this, our tour participants are allowed exclusive access to the Winery cafe, where light meals are served.

How much is a winery tour?

The price of a winery tour depends on the winery at which it is taken, and, whether or not a vineyard tour and samples are included. Chet Valley’s vineyard and winery tour offers a 2-hour tour from the cellar door, to the vineyard, to the winery, and includes generous samples of five of our best-loved wines with perfectly paired cheese and charcuterie to be enjoyed on our balcony, in the vine hall, or under the Vineyard walnut tree. This experience is charged at £25 per person over 18. Children under 18 are welcome to attend the tour and will be served a non-alcoholic alternative.

How old do you have to be for wine tasting?

In the UK, and at Chet Valley Vineyard, those taking part in the wine tasting itself must be 18 and above. With this being said, children and under 18s are welcome to attend our tours and will be served non-alcoholic beverages with small sides during the tasting segment.

How do wine tastings work?

A wine tasting, especially when combined with a tour, is an educational experience, meaning they can be, and are attended by wine-lovers of all knowledge levels, from absolute beginners, to aficionados. Generally described as a guided tasting experience, these events are typically held and led by a knowledgeable host - in the case of Chet Valley, our head winemaker. This host will aim to ensure that the attendees correctly taste, experience, and ultimately enjoy their wine.

Guests will be encouraged to observe the colour and clarity of the wine, alongside the smell, and, of course, the taste, offering helpful insight throughout the tasting. There should be ample opportunity to make notes on your findings. Oftentimes, attendees of wine tastings walk away with a new favourite wine - or, at the very least, some new knowledge surrounding the contents of their glass.

Are there wine tastings with overnight stays in the UK?

There are a select number of vineyards offering wine tastings with an overnight stay in the UK. Chet Valley Vineyard are able to offer a unique lodging option to those attending tours and looking to stay on the vineyard for a little longer - the Vine House. Situated amongst the vines themselves on the rolling hills of Chet Valley, Norfolk, this recently converted single-storey stable building offers a comfortable retreat with uninterrupted views across both the vineyard and the beautiful English countryside surrounding it. Featuring lofty, naturally inspired spaces graced by exposed timber frames, alongside every holiday let essential – from hairdryers to a wood burner – this tranquil sanctuary is truly a home away from home.

Located just 8 miles outside of Norwich, and with the Norfolk Broads and coastline in easy reach, this vineyard accommodation serves as an equally stunning and functional base for those seeking an escape to the country, offering everything from doorstep vineyard tours, to stunning beaches and fantastic walks, with the historical city only a small journey away.

What happens on a vineyard tour?

The exact contents of a winery tour depend on the tour you attend! If the tour is of a winery only, and does not include a tour of the vineyard, you will be taken through the building in which the wine is produced, shown the processes, and, most likely be able to sample some of the maker’s wine upon the conclusion of the tour.

Chet Valley’s tours include both the vineyard and the winery, meaning our visitors are led through our well-established vineyard by head winemaker, John Hemmant, and are encouraged to ask questions whilst listening to stories including the history of the land, and the varieties of grapes grown. Following this, guests are invited into the winery, where they can witness the production process. At the conclusion of the tour, guests are provided with samples of five of our best-loved wines, which may be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather.

How long does a vineyard tour last?

A truly immersive and interactive experience, our wine tasting tour lasts approximately two hours. Starting at the New Cellar door and shop before moving into 10 acres of well-established vineyard, this immersive experience allows guests to walk amongst the vines during an interactive talk, throughout which questions are encouraged.

After a short walk through the vineyard, the tour returns to the new winery, where John explains the details of the winemaking process, and demonstrates the various steps of sparkling wine production – a real treat for those interested in wine, the winemaking process and those who enjoy the end-result of this labour of love​.

Finally, guests enjoy generous samples of five or more of Chet Valley’s award-winning wines, accompanied by cheese and charcuterie whilst sitting on the winery balcony, overlooking our beautiful vineyard. Following this, our tour participants are allowed exclusive access to the Winery balcony

Vineyard Tours Reviews

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