Treat yourself to a winery tour All of this and more is available to taste at Kingscote Estate. Much like the New World wine regions of Australia and New Zealand, England’s wineries are throwing opening their doors to the public. Besides a wine tasting – you’re welcome to visit unannounced on any day of the week – the estate offers a wealth of activities to explore. Tours run Thursday to Saturday and are followed by a tutored tasting. If you choose (and I’d recommend it), cream teas or lunch platters are available for grazing afterwards. Come the summer, tour goers will also be able to enjoy a picnic within the grounds. Demand has led the estate to increase tours to three per day, so book in advance to avoid disappointment. A wonderful place to spend a day – or more At the nights warm up, Jazz on the Lawn will be making a return and, new to the estate, monthly chef masterclasses. But perhaps the most exciting to come are pop-up events bringing visitors from London to Kingscote via steam train.
feels a shame. Luckily, those keen to immerse themselves in the English wine scene will soon be able to luxuriate in a stay at the estate’s two-bedroom cottage. I’ll be back As my afternoon drew to an end and I sipped my glass of Blanc de Noirs, I sat watching people coming through the doors. Couples with dogs, ramblers sodden from the rain, a Master of Wine – and us. All there for the same reason: Kingscote Estate offers something truly special. This includes wines that sing to the likes of myself, MWs and Cibare readers, and beautiful surroundings for those who want to explore. The generosity and warm welcome of the staff has stayed with me. In an industry that can appear all too stuffy, Kingscote Estate has forged a remarkable business devoid of British stiff upper lip.
PICTURE CREDITS: Nic Crilly-Hargrave
Discover the peaceful countryside on self-guided walks through vineyards and an apple orchard, or head to the famous Stone Farm Rocks and Bluebell Railway. There are also two fishing lakes brimming with carp and bream. Do as three ramblers did during our visit and make a mid-walk pitstop at the barn for a cup of tea or coffee - though a glass of wine makes much more sense. The estate has a tranquility to it, so only being able to enjoy it for an afternoon 52
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