Chafor Wine Estate: A Family-Run Buckinghamshire Vineyard With Sparkling English Wines, Tours & Camping
Hidden away on a 23-acre stretch of the Buckinghamshire countryside, between the historic market town of Buckingham and the racing circuit at Silverstone, lies one of England's quietly remarkable boutique wine estates. Chafor Wine Estate, also known as High Hedges Vineyard, is a family-run, multiple award-winning producer of English still and sparkling wine that has staked its claim in a region better known for rolling pasture than rolling Pinot Noir vines. With chalk-and-flinty clay soils reminiscent of Champagne, summer weekends of wood-fired paella and pizza evenings, and a programme of vineyard tours led by founder and winemaker Tim Chafor himself, the estate has earned a reputation as one of the most welcoming visitor vineyards in the Home Counties.
An English Vineyard in the Heart of Buckinghamshire
Chafor Wine Estate is set on land that once formed part of the ancient Royal hunting forest of Bernwood, and the first vines were planted on the 23-acre site in 2009. Tim Chafor and his wife Sarah now grow the classic Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier alongside the more delicate, aromatic Bacchus and Madeleine Angevine varieties. According to Tim, the estate enjoys soil types that vary from chalk to flinty clay: "we have all the famous terroirs in one place, so the possibilities for future wines are immense." Wines are produced under Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the highest quality standard in UK wine.
The estate's location is unusually convenient. It sits between Bicester Village designer shopping centre and Silverstone's prestigious Grand Prix F1 circuit, making it an easy stop for visitors spending a weekend in the area. Buckingham itself is only five minutes' drive away, and Milton Keynes, with its cinemas, bowling, indoor skiing and climbing centres, is around 20 minutes south.
Meet the Vintner
Winemaker and founder Tim Chafor is a self-confessed gastronome, one-time movie star and "mad inventor" who has personally engineered a number of unusual contraptions around the estate. His most useful invention is a hand-built frost-buster alarm system that rings his mobile the moment air temperature falls to minus 0.5°C, alerting him to spring frosts that can devastate the new season's growth. His most enjoyable creations are an authentic wood-fired pizza oven and a giant paella stove, where Tim says the flavours are "subtly enhanced by vine clippings direct from the vineyard."
Tim is also known for his remarkably relaxed approach to visitors. As he puts it: "Appointments are not always necessary, as I'm out in all weathers and leave my mobile number on a slate by the gate, so visitors are always welcome." Visitors are also likely to meet Rosie, the vineyard dog, who is "incredibly friendly" and partial to a spot of meet-and-greet duty.
The Wines
Chafor's range covers both English sparkling wines, for which the estate is becoming best known, and a clutch of still whites, rosés and reds, made from varieties suited to the British climate. All wines are produced in relatively small, hand-tended quantities.
Sparkling Wines
- Vintage Cuvée - £35. A traditional-method sparkling wine with a Lemon gold colour, spicy fruit and hints of peach, finishing with a fine mousse, honeyed fig, baked apple and toasted brioche undertones. The Vintage Cuvée has been awarded 88 Parker points by The Wine Advocate.
- Vintage Rosé - £45. A sparkling rosé with attractive scents of rose petals, strawberry and a touch of cold steel, all well-defined with commendable focus. A splendid sparkling rosé that has been awarded 91 Parker points by The Wine Advocate.
Still White Wines
- Bacchus - £20. Crisp, elegant and refined, this wine reflects the true varietal character of this quintessentially English grape, with a balance of elderflower, inviting minerality and zesty tropical undertones. Bacchus is widely regarded as England's signature grape.
- Chardonnay Reserve - £25. A UKVA Silver Medal winner. Intensely golden, complex and full-bodied, with delicate aromas of soft ripe pineapple and papaya, creamy texture and subtle layers of vanilla smokiness.
- Vintage Elegance - £20. A UKVA Bronze Medal winner. Rich and rounded with juicy fruit intensity; bright aromas of ripe apple and pear balance delicately with zesty freshness, finishing with an enduring, mouth-watering expression.
- White Pinot Noir - £20. A zingy-edged white wine with a layering of fresh fruit, baked apple and a splash of ginger. The producer recommends pairing it with a mushroom pizza.
Rosé and Red Wines
- Rosé - £20. A UKVA Bronze Medal winner. A mouth-watering balance of ripeness and elegance, with bright aromas of wild strawberries mingling with soft forest fruits and peppery undertones.
- Red Stag - £25. A rich, powerful blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe black cherry, spice and hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied with a satisfying finish.
- Pinot Noir - £20. Oak-aged from the acclaimed 2018 vintage, with complex cherry and vanilla flavours.
Gift Cards
For those struggling to choose, Chafor Gift Cards are available in any value between £5 and £100 and are valid for 12 months. Vouchers can be redeemed against online purchases, tours and bottles of wine bought at the vineyard, making them a flexible choice for any wine-loving friend.
Visiting the Vineyard
Chafor is open to the public most Saturdays and Sundays from April to September. Visitors are welcome to walk in free of charge, explore the vineyard, wander the self-guided WWF nature trail and relax with a glass of wine in the outside bar area. Children, dogs and picnics are all welcome. Car parking is free.
Vineyard Tours & Wine Tastings
The estate runs a full programme of guided vineyard tours and tastings through the summer and early autumn. Each tour lasts around two and a half hours and includes:
- A walking tour of the vineyard and winery with winemaker Tim Chafor
- Three sample-sized glasses of the estate's award-winning wines per person
- The option to upgrade with a cheeseboard for £9
Public tour tickets start at £21 per person (cheeseboard upgrade £30 in total). Tours typically run on Saturdays, Sundays and selected weekday afternoons and evenings throughout the high season. Visitors are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the start time and to wear appropriate footwear for walking through the vineyard.
Upcoming public tours and tastings include:
- Saturday 8 August 2026 @ 12pm - Vineyard tour & wine tasting
- Wednesday 12 August 2026 @ 6pm - Vineyard tour & wine tasting
- Friday 21 August 2026 @ 6pm - Vineyard tour & wine tasting
- Sunday 23 August 2026 @ 12pm - Vineyard tour & wine tasting
- Saturday 12 September 2026 @ 12pm - Vineyard tour & wine tasting
The full calendar, including additional dates as they are added, is available on the Chafor events calendar.
Wine Lovers Retreat at Whittlebury Park
For a more indulgent getaway, Chafor partners with Whittlebury Park to offer a Wine Lovers Retreat package on selected dates through the summer (currently available on 30 May, 20 June, 11 July and 15 August 2026). The retreat includes:
- An overnight stay at Whittlebury Park
- Heat and Ice Experiences in the spa
- Dinner and a shared cheeseboard
- A Chafor-led tasting of local English wines
Bookings can be made through Whittlebury Park.
Private Wine Tasting Experiences
Groups and corporate clients can book a private tasting experience directly with the estate. A personal host meets the group, leads a tour of the vineyard and winery and finishes with a wine-tutored tasting of three specially selected wines. Pricing is on application via the enquiry form on the Tours page.
Food & Drink at the Estate
Food is a huge part of the Chafor experience. During the summer the team run a rolling programme of food events, including:
- Wood-fired Pizza & Pinot evenings: the vineyard's own pop-up restaurant serving authentic pizza straight from the wood-fired oven
- Paella lunches: freshly cooked chicken and chorizo paella, plus vegetarian options, served from the estate's giant paella pan
- Summer BBQs and Father's Day BBQs
Special food-event dates are listed on the Food Events page and the events calendar.
Tour & Paella Lunch
Combining food and tour, the Tour & Paella Lunch (most recently priced at £40 per person) includes a vineyard tour, winery visit, tasting of three award-winning wines and a freshly cooked chicken and chorizo paella served from a traditional paella pan.
Open Days & Bank Holiday Weekends
Twice a year Chafor throws open the gates for free, family-friendly open weekends. These typically include:
- Wine sampling and an open-air bar
- BBQ and ice creams
- Live music from local musicians
- Local craft stalls
- The WWF nature trail, great fun for younger visitors (and dogs)
The next open event is the August Bank Holiday Open Weekend on Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August 2026, running from 11am until 6pm each day. Entry and parking are free.
Camping at the Vineyard
Outside of high season, the vineyard transforms into a Wild Trails Camping Club certified caravan and motorhome campsite. Five hard-standing pitches sit on a family-oriented working farm between Buckingham (5 minutes' drive) and Milton Keynes (20 minutes), on the edge of the village of Gawcott, with easy access from the A421.
Pitch Details & Booking
- Ground type: Grass, drive-in/drive-out
- Pitch size: 10m x 10m
- Capacity: Up to 6 people per pitch
- Suitability: Caravan (including twin-axle), motorhome or campervan. Note: tents are not permitted
Pitches are bookable individually:
Extras include gazebos at £20 per stay, optional awnings and storage pup-tents. On-site fishing is available by arrangement at £10 per day per rod (an EA rod licence is required). Amenities include a flushing toilet and a chemical-waste disposal point for caravans and motorhomes. Quiet hours apply from 9.30pm to 8.30am and no noise at all after midnight; a 15% booking deposit is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due on arrival.
Because the site operates under Wild Trails Camping Club membership, the lead guest must complete a short membership form ahead of arrival. Full booking terms and conditions are on the Campsite booking terms page.
Venue Hire & Private Events
The backdrop of well-tended rows of vines makes Chafor a popular setting for weddings, private parties and corporate events. Facilities available for hire include:
- A wood-fired pizza oven and giant paella pan
- BBQ and bouncy castle
- Licensed bar
- Marquees for parties of up to 200 guests
- Plenty of outside space for corporate fun days
Tim and his team pride themselves on personalised tastings and event design. Date enquiries can be sent via the venue hire page.
How to Buy Chafor Wines
The full range of wines, plus gift cards, is available to buy online. All wine orders of three or more bottles ship free within the UK (please allow 5 days for delivery). Orders can also be collected from the cellar door by arrangement: call 07973 892427 to organise collection.
A selection of Chafor wines is also stocked at venues including Boycott Farm, Blue Diamond Bicester Avenue, Buckingham Garden Centre, Bar Owl Farm Shop, Cave à Vin Buckingham, the Hook Norton Brewery shop, Waitrose, Westbury Community Shop & Café, The Carrington Arms, Twisted Tree Brewery and Whittlebury Park.
Environmental Credentials
Sustainability is built into the winemaking at Chafor. The estate uses:
- Amalgamated corks in its wine bottles
- 100% recyclable foils on its sparkling wines
- Solar panels on the roof to provide the estate's energy
Press & Recognition
Chafor is featured in The Vineyards of Britain: Cellar Door Adventures with the Best of Britain's Wines and The Rydon Guide to English Sparkling Wine, both available on Amazon. The estate is also profiled by Great British Wine and Wining Away The Weekend.
Plan Your Visit
Chafor Wine Estate
High Hedges Vineyard
Preston Bissett Road
Gawcott
Buckinghamshire
MK18 4HT
Contact
- Telephone: 07973 892427
- Email: admin@chafor.co.uk
- Camping bookings: clbookings@chafor.co.uk
- Facebook: CHAFORwine
- Instagram: @chaforwine