New UK ‘Vindex’ puts two Hampshire vineyards in the top spots with Kent following closely behind

Two Hampshire vineyards have been placed at the top of a new survey of UK vineyards marked for visitor experience.

Kitchen company Magnet analysed over 230 vineyards in the UK that are open to the public, ranking them based on a variety of factors including Google reviews, search trends and the facilities available at each location, such as restaurants, disabled access, walking-tours, overnight stays, winery and wine-tasting sessions.

In the ‘Vindex’ which scored vineyards out of 100, Hampshire vineyard Hambledon, the oldest commercial vineyard in England was given the top spot with a perfect score, closely followed by Adgestone Vineyard on the Isle of Wight, which received a score of 93.8.

Hambledon’s vines now stretch across 200 acres on the South Downs and the estate offers a range of facilities for visitors including tours, special events, workshops and afternoon tea tasting sessions, where you can try the award-winning sparkling wines.

Meanwhile the much smaller Adgestone Vineyard, which covers 10 acres on the Isle of Wight, scored highly because of its accommodation, which includes outdoor shepherd huts or a rustic holiday cottage, as well as offers tours, lunches, live music and friendly farm animals. The vineyard also produces a quirky blue-coloured sparkling wine – the only vineyard in the country to do so.

While Hampshire secured the top spots, it was Kent’s vineyards that dominated the Vindex with four vineyards in the top 10, Chapel Down in Tenterden, The Mount Vineyard in Shoreham and Biddenden Vineyards near Ashford taking third to fifth place and Squerryes in Westerham taking the number seven spot.

Albourne and Nutbourne vineyards in Sussex and Denbies wine estate in Surrey also made the top 10.