Godstone Vineyards: A Boutique English Sparkling Wine Estate in the Surrey Hills
A Boutique Surrey Vineyard on the North Downs
Godstone Vineyards is a small, family-run English wine estate that has been quietly producing award-winning Traditional Method sparkling wine on the slopes of the North Downs since 1985. Tucked into fifty acres of rolling countryside just half a mile north of the M25 (Junction 6), the vineyard sits within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within easy walking distance of the North Downs Way. Despite its proximity to London (the nearest stations at Caterham, Woldingham and Oxted are each only two miles away) Godstone feels a world removed from the capital, with its gentle south-facing slope, free-draining Upper Greensand soil and views across the Wealden countryside.
At Godstone, the focus is firmly on quality over quantity. The estate grows just two grape varieties - Seyval Blanc and Bacchus - and the wines are made exclusively from hand-picked estate-grown fruit, vinified in the Traditional Method used in Champagne. Limited-edition vintages of a Sparkling White, a Sparkling Rosé and a Still White Bacchus are released throughout the year, and they are only available to buy directly from the cellar door on the vineyard's Open Days. With just a few hundred cases produced in any given year and the availability dictated by the vagaries of the English climate, each bottle carries a real sense of provenance.
Story and Terroir
The first vines at Godstone were planted in 1985, and the original parcels are still in production today, joined by newer plantings as recently as 2021. The site was chosen for three reasons: its free-draining greensand soil, its southerly aspect, and its extraordinary setting. The south-facing slope ensures that the vines receive the maximum possible exposure to sunlight, while the underlying soil - a fertile, lime-rich, loamy Upper Greensand laced with heavy, dense slabs of ragstone - retains warmth through the day and releases it slowly at night, helping to extend the ripening window.
The cool climate of a typical English summer is what gives Godstone's wines their hallmark freshness and acidity. The light morning mists of late summer and early autumn, combined with the relatively cool microclimate at the foot of the North Downs, allow the grapes to develop the delicate floral aromatics that have become the signature of the estate. The vineyard's proximity to the North Downs Way also plays a subtle role: cold air drains down the slopes at night, pooling in the lower ground and sparing the vines on the upper terraces the worst of the spring frosts that have damaged many other English vineyards in recent years.
The Grape Varieties
Godstone is planted with four parcels of vines, the oldest dating from 1985 and the youngest from 2021. Two varieties make up the entire planting.
Seyval Blanc
Seyval Blanc is the workhorse variety of the estate and forms the backbone of both the Sparkling White and the Sparkling Rosé. A French hybrid with a long track record in England, Seyval Blanc is well suited to the cooler British climate, ripens reliably, and brings a clean orchard-fruit character to the wines. Godstone considers it ideally suited to English conditions and in particular to the Traditional Method, where it provides structure and acidity in equal measure.
Bacchus
Bacchus is the variety behind the still white wine, and it is also the more demanding of the two in the vineyard. Its dense canopy of foliage leaves it vulnerable to powdery mildew in warm, humid summers, so Godstone's team devotes considerable effort each year to canopy management - leaf stripping, shoot selection and tucking in - to keep air flowing around the bunches. The reward is a vivid, aromatic wine with elderflower, lemon and meadow-grass notes that has earned its own IEWA medal.
Winemaking
Godstone's sparkling wines are made in the Traditional Method, the same secondary fermentation in the bottle used in Champagne. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed within twelve hours of harvest and the juice is transferred into stainless steel tanks. After the primary fermentation, the wine is bottled with the addition of yeast and sugar - a step known as tirage - which triggers the second fermentation in the bottle. The wines are then laid down in a temperature-controlled cellar for six months before being disgorged approximately eighteen months after harvest, and released a few months later.
From the 2025 vintage, the winemaker is Deepika at Plumpton College, the UK's centre of excellence for wine education and research, located in East Sussex. The vineyard's viticulture is overseen by brothers Jonathan and Robert Deeley, who have been at the helm of Godstone for many years and who also write the regular Vineyard Notes blog that documents the rhythm of the year in the vineyard.
The Wines
Godstone currently releases three wines, all of which have earned medals at the Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA).
Sparkling White Wine 2021 - Seyval Blanc
The Sparkling White is pale straw in colour, with a rich nose of English apples and pears followed by citrus and a clean, mineral finish. The IEWA judges described it as a wine with "fantastic aromatics on the nose and great complexity, with outstanding mouthfeel and acidity, opening up beautifully in the glass with a creamy, round finish." Made from 100 per cent Seyval Blanc drawn from vines planted in the early 1990s, the 2021 vintage is dry, vibrant and ready to drink now, with the structure to age further if you can resist it. It carries PGI status and is suitable for vegans.
- Grape variety: 100% Seyval Blanc
- Alcohol: 11.5%
- Titratable acidity: 8.9 g/l
- pH: 2.8
- Contains sulphites. Suitable for vegans. PGI status.
Sparkling Rosé Wine 2021 - Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir, Acolon
The Sparkling Rosé is a more unusual blend, led by 95 per cent Seyval Blanc with 4 per cent Pinot Noir and 1 per cent Acolon. The IEWA judges called it "citrus, creamy, and very fresh with berry fruit throughout; an interesting and unique blend with a pretty nose and very easy to drink." Like the white, it is Traditional Method, dry and fruity, with the same orchard-fruit and mineral signature carried by the colour and gently berry-edged aromatics from the small additions of Pinot Noir and Acolon. Suitable for vegans and PGI-status.
- Grape varieties: 95% Seyval Blanc, 4% Pinot Noir, 1% Acolon
- Alcohol: 11.5%
- Titratable acidity: 8.5 g/l
- pH: 2.8
- Contains sulphites. Suitable for vegans. PGI status.
Still White Wine 2023 - Bacchus
The Still White is 100 per cent Bacchus, made in a small parcel and bottled without bubbles to showcase the variety's aromatic character. The IEWA tasting note reads: "soft and approachable with beautiful aromatics on the nose of lemon, elderflower, and hints of meadowgrass." It is the most recent release in the Godstone portfolio and a perfect aperitif or partner to lighter seafood dishes. Suitable for vegans and PGI-status.
- Grape variety: 100% Bacchus
- Alcohol: 11.5%
- Titratable acidity: 6.9 g/l
- pH: 3.2
- Contains sulphites. Suitable for vegans. PGI status.
Wine Prices and Cellar Door Sales
Godstone's wines are only available to buy directly from the cellar door during the vineyard's Open Days. Prices are listed in pounds sterling and reflect the small-batch, boutique nature of the production. The current price list is as follows.
Sparkling White - Seyval Blanc 2021
- 125ml glass: £7.00
- 750ml bottle: £32.50
- Case of six bottles: £180.00
Sparkling Rosé - Seyval Blanc / Pinot Noir / Acolon 2021
- 125ml glass: £7.00
- 750ml bottle: £32.50
- Case of six bottles: £180.00
Still White - Bacchus 2023
- 125ml glass: £6.50
- 750ml bottle: £22.50
- Case of six bottles: £120.00
Online sales are not currently offered, although the team has stated that they hope to make internet retailing available in the future. Visitors who wish to register their interest in attending an Open Day, or in being notified when a new vintage is released, can email jcdeeley@godstonevineyards.com.
The Terrace at Godstone Vineyards
The Terrace at Godstone Vineyards is the visitor hub of the estate - an informal, easygoing space where the wines can be enjoyed alongside simple, well-chosen food. Set against a living screen of vines, with sweeping views across the Wealden countryside, the Terrace offers al fresco seating on the covered terrace and on the grassy bank beyond, with an intimate indoor area available when the weather turns.
The food offering is built around carefully curated sharing platters of locally sourced produce: charcuterie from Kent, cheeses from Somerset and Yorkshire, and a traditional cream tea on Sundays. The platters are designed to pair with the wines and can be ordered on the day. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are accommodated where possible. Recent visitor reviews on TripAdvisor consistently praise the warm welcome, the quality of the wines, and the beauty of the setting - describing the Terrace as "a lovely hidden gem on our doorstep" and "a tasteful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life." The current food menu is available as a downloadable PDF.
Opening Days and Events
Godstone Vineyards is not open every day. The estate opens its gates only on carefully scheduled Open Days throughout the year, with wine sales, tastings and the Terrace all available on those days. The Open Days are free to attend, although booking is greatly appreciated and helps the small team plan for the day.
Summer in the Vines 2026
The headline event for 2026 is Summer in the Vines at Godstone Vineyards, a series of Saturday Open Days running every week until mid September 2026. Visitors are welcome to enjoy free parking, free self-guided vineyard walks and a sharing platter of locally sourced cheeses and charcuterie, washed down with a glass of the current vintages. Bookings are taken via Eventbrite.
Spring 2026 Open Days
Earlier in the year, the vineyard reopened on Saturday 4th April, followed by Easter Monday on 6th April and the Bank Holiday Monday on 4th May. Each of these days was ticketed through Eventbrite and offered the same combination of tastings, sales and local platters.
Winter Wine Down
Through the colder months, the estate runs a series of monthly Winter Wine Down events - the perfect tonic for any winter blues. The most recent of these was held on Saturday 18th January 2025 and Saturday 8th February 2025, with further dates confirmed through the year.
For the very latest dates, visitors can sign up to the vineyard's newsletter or follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, where pop-up additional Open Days are sometimes announced at short notice.
Tours and Tastings
Conducted tours of the vineyard are offered on Open Days, taking in the vines, the soil, the aspect and the winemaking philosophy. They are not priced separately but are included as part of the Open Day experience. Visitors who would like to be sure of a tour on the day they attend are advised to mention this when booking. Samplings of the current vintages are available at the cellar door, with Jonathan and Robert often on hand to talk through the wines and answer questions.
The Woldingham Countryside Walk
One of the most rewarding approaches to Godstone Vineyards is on foot, via the Woldingham Countryside Walk. The full route is approximately five miles (around three hours) and starts and finishes at Woldingham Railway Station, which sits on the line from London Victoria to East Grinstead and Uckfield. The walk winds through shady beech and whitebeam woodland, across flowery swards rich with common spotted orchid, twayblade and sky-blue milkwort, and past the grand Woldingham School mansion tucked beneath the slopes of Marden Park, before turning north towards the vineyard itself.
For visitors who would prefer to shorten the walk and spend more time at the vineyard, there is a one-hour shortcut: from Woldingham Station, walk through Marden Park and past Woldingham School, then at the white house called South Lodge on the right, follow the North Downs Way. At Britannia Sanderstead, veer left down Quarry Road and the vineyard entrance is 500 metres down the hill. The vineyard is a ten- to fifteen-minute walk from Point 3 on the route. A downloadable PDF map is available.
Sustainability
Godstone Vineyards is proud of its work to enhance biodiversity across the estate and is certified as Climate Positive (and, more recently, fully carbon negative). Perennial grass is sown between the vine rows to maintain soil structure and prevent erosion; new hedges are planted every winter to create wildlife corridors; and an unproductive area of land has been rewilded. The surrounding woodland, which forms the backdrop to the vineyard on three sides, is managed in-house with the same long view, and the team has planted new trees every winter for the past three decades.
The vineyard also takes a careful approach to canopy management, using leaf stripping, shoot selection, tucking in and topping to keep the vines healthy without recourse to chemicals wherever possible. The vineyard is on the slope of the North Downs specifically because cold air can drain away from the vines at night - a natural frost-protection measure that has spared the estate during several recent damaging springs. The vineyard is, however, alert to the threats of new diseases: the estate is surrounded by extensive areas of woodland, and the team has been engaged with the national response to ash dieback, an airborne disease that has been devastating British ash populations.
The 2025 Harvest and Beyond
After the disappointment of 2024 - when incessant rainfall and severe bird damage meant no harvest at Godstone - the 2025 vintage was a triumphant return. Under cloudless blue skies on Sunday 5th October 2025, friends, family and volunteers gathered to hand-pick top-quality grapes with an almost perfect balance of acidity and natural sugar, and barely any disease. The fruit is destined to be made into a Sparkling Wine for release in 2028, and Jonathan has suggested that 2025 may match 2022, the last great vintage in England.
The 2025 harvest was also a poignant moment for the vineyard as the English wine community mourned the loss of Peter Hall of Breaky Bottom vineyard near Lewes - the doyen of Seyval Blanc. Jonathan and Robert were fortunate to have spent time with Peter Hall in 2024 and paid tribute to him in the November 2025 Vineyard Notes blog.
Visiting with Children, Dogs and Accessibility
The vineyard welcomes children and dogs on Open Days. Dogs are asked to remain on a lead and to stay outside the shop. The site is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available to all visitors. There is no online shop and no online booking system other than via Eventbrite, but visitors who would prefer to arrange their visit personally can email jcdeeley@godstonevineyards.com.
How to Get There
Godstone Vineyards is at Quarry Road, Godstone, Surrey RH9 8DQ - half a mile north of the M25 (Junction 6). From the A22 (Caterham bypass), follow the brown tourist signs for Godstone Vineyards and turn into Quarry Road. Sat-nav users should use the postcode RH9 8DQ.
By Train
The nearest railway stations are Caterham (2 miles), Woldingham (2 miles), Oxted (2 miles) and Godstone - confusingly located in South Godstone, 3 miles from the vineyard. National Rail enquiries are available at nationalrail.co.uk.
By Bus
Metrobus route 400 runs from Caterham Railway Station. Ask the driver for the 'Quarry Road' request stop at the bottom of Godstone Hill; the vineyard entrance is a five-minute walk from the bus stop. Timetables are available at metrobus.co.uk.
By Taxi
For those who would rather not drive, a number of local taxi firms cover the vineyard - please drink responsibly. Licensed Tandridge District Council operators that the team has used reliably include Oxted Taxis (01883 338026), Ultra Cars Godstone (01883 789090), Caterham Taxi Service (01883 701222) and Station Cars Oxted (01883 776000). Ask the driver to collect you from Godstone Vineyards, RH9 8DQ.
Where to Stay
Visitors travelling from further afield can choose from a range of local hotels in the surrounding countryside. The vineyard recommends Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa, Godstone Hotel, Reigate Manor, Langshott Manor and De Vere Selsdon Estate. Tourist information is available via visitsurrey.com.
Reviews and Recognition
Godstone Vineyards has earned medals at the Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) for each of its three wines. The Sparkling White 2021 was awarded a Bronze medal, the Sparkling Rosé 2021 a Silver medal, and the Still White Bacchus 2023 a Bronze medal. All three wines also carry PGI status.
Visitor reviews on TripAdvisor consistently praise the wines, the warm welcome, the food and the views. Recent visitors have described the experience as "a lovely hidden gem on our doorstep" and "beautiful scenery and delicious sparkles," with the cream tea and cheese board singled out as particular highlights.
Jonathan's Vineyard Notes
Jonathan's Vineyard Notes is a monthly blog written by Jonathan Deeley that charts the year in the vineyard. Recent entries have covered topics as varied as bud rubbing and shoot selection, the threat of powdery mildew in warm summers, the science of planting on slopes versus flat ground, the folklore of Michaelmas Day, the meaning of Candlemas, the arrival of wild garlic in the surrounding woodland, the legend of the snowdrop, and the looming challenge of ash dieback. The blog is informal and knowledgeable in equal measure, and is the best way to follow the vineyard through the seasons.
Plan a Visit
Godstone Vineyards is a small, working vineyard that opens only on scheduled Open Days. Visitors are strongly encouraged to book in advance via Eventbrite, to dress for the weather, and to bring sturdy footwear if they plan to walk the Woldingham Countryside Walk. The current schedule - Saturday Open Days through mid September 2026 under the Summer in the Vines banner - is the easiest time to visit, with the cellar door, the Terrace, and the vineyard itself all open. For dates beyond that, sign up to the mailing list or follow the vineyard on social media to be among the first to hear when new dates are released.
Whether you are a seasoned English wine enthusiast or simply looking for a beautiful corner of the Surrey Hills to spend a Saturday afternoon, Godstone Vineyards offers a quietly remarkable experience: a glass of award-winning Traditional Method sparkling wine made from grapes grown within sight of the cellar door, a platter of the best local cheeses and charcuterie, and one of the most tranquil vineyard settings in the south of England.