Greyfriars Vineyard: Award-Winning English Sparkling and Still Wines from the Surrey Hills
Tucked into the sunny, south-facing chalk slopes of the Hog's Back just outside Guildford, Greyfriars Vineyard is one of Surrey's flagship producers of traditional-method English sparkling wine. The 40-acre estate at Puttenham has been making wine on the North Downs since 1989 and, since 2010, has been owned and driven forward by husband-and-wife team Mike and Hilary Wagstaff. Today Greyfriars turns out an acclaimed range of vintage and non-vintage sparkling wines alongside aromatic still wines, welcoming visitors to its tasting room, cellar door shop, picnic lawn and rolling chalk-soil vineyard.
A Surrey Vineyard Built on Champagne Geology
What makes Greyfriars special is its terroir. The vineyard sits on the same chalk bedrock that runs beneath the English Channel to Champagne - porous and free-draining, it forces vine roots deep into the soil and concentrates flavour in the grapes. The south-facing aspect catches sun all day, drying out morning damp on the canopy and reducing the risk of both frost and summer disease, while the slope allows cold air to drain away. It is a textbook cool-climate site for sparkling wine and one of the most exciting in the South East.
The Claret of the Côte Anglaise
When the original vineyard was planted in 1989 it was among the very first English sites to put in the three classic Champagne varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Thirty years on, those original vines still survive as the source of Greyfriars' flagship Old Vines Blanc de Blancs. Today the estate is planted predominantly to those three varieties, with smaller plots of Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc adding diversity to the still wine range.
Three Decades of Family Ownership
Mike and Hilary Wagstaff took over the vineyard in 2010 with a clear vision: expand to 40 acres, build a state-of-the-art winery with an underground chalk cave cellar, and produce great English sparkling wines that reflect the site rather than copying Champagne. The tasting room was built during lockdown and opened in 2021, giving visitors a relaxed, airy space to sample the range.
Mike's annual harvest notes give a real sense of the family's personality. Writing at the end of the 2025 harvest, he thanked more than 400 volunteers who turned up over four days to pick just under 150 tonnes of fruit - a vintage he describes as 'not huge but incredibly good'. Early tastings suggested the resulting wines will be well worth waiting for.
The Sparkling Wine Range
All of Greyfriars' vintage sparklings are made in the traditional method - secondary fermentation in the bottle followed by extended lees ageing - and the range has been quietly building a reputation for elegance and value. Critics have been unstinting in their praise: Oz Clarke described the NV Sparkling Cuvée as 'smashing fizz … fresh, lively with a delicious savoury nuttiness', while Matthew Jukes called the 2016 Cuvée Royale 'extraordinary' for its precision.
Non Vintage Sparkling Cuvée - £25
A blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier matured on lees for a minimum of three years, the Non Vintage Sparkling Cuvée is fresh, dry and delicately yeasty - a Wine GB Gold medal winner and a brilliant everyday aperitif.
Non Vintage Sparkling Rosé - £25
Made from Pinot Noir, the NV Sparkling Rosé is a salmon-pink, soft and fruity glass of fizz with bright red-apple fruit on the finish.
Greyfriars Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc SB - £21
A one-off release and a real signature wine for the estate: 100% Sauvignon Blanc made sparkling in the traditional method, matured on lees for over 36 months. Netty, grassy and bone-dry, the Sparkling SB is a refreshing aperitif that pairs brilliantly with pan-fried Dover sole or grilled chicken with lemon and thyme.
Greyfriars Sparkling Pinot Blanc PB - £21
Made from 100% hand-picked Pinot Blanc, the debut vintage of the Sparkling PB offers mango and lychee aromas, a vivacious mousse and a zippy, well-balanced finish.
2015 Sparkling Classic Cuvée - £30
A blend of 61% Chardonnay, 23% Pinot Noir and 16% Pinot Meunier, the 2015 Classic Cuvée benefited from a dry summer and a warm September. Dry, complex and elegant, it pairs particularly well with Thai-inspired dishes and noble fish such as gurnard, bass or scallops.
2016 Blanc de Blancs - £30
100% Chardonnay from the Monkshatch and Tractor Shed plots, hand-picked in October 2016 and matured on lees for over eight years. The 2016 Blanc de Blancs shows baked apple and a hint of honey on the nose, with green apple, fresh lime and a touch of vanilla on the palate.
2016 Old Vines Blanc de Blancs - £33.50
Made from the tiny original 1989 planting, the Old Vines Blanc de Blancs is arguably the most interesting Chardonnay Greyfriars makes - small yields, fermented and aged in old oak, almost seven years on lees. Honeyed beeswax and baked apple aromas give way to creamy apple, pear and a delicate hint of vanilla. Matthew Jukes called it 'world-class'.
2021 Sparkling Rosé Reserve - £30
Pinot Noir-led (92% with 8% Pinot Meunier) and the eleventh release of Greyfriars' most acclaimed sparkling rosé, the 2021 Sparkling Rosé Reserve is a delicately pale, salmon-pink fizz with strawberry aromas, creamy red apple, cranberry and a fresh strawberry finish. Multiple IWC Golds, Decanter Silvers and trophy wins to its name.
Blanc de Noirs 2019 - £33.50
The third Pinot Noir blanc de noirs from the Greyfriars limited-edition range, the Blanc de Noirs 2019 shows honeyed red apple, cranberry and redcurrant with a touch of butter and brioche. Matured on lees for over 36 months in the chalk cellars.
Magnums
For the bigger occasion, Greyfriars bottles three magnums in very limited quantities: the MAGNUM Non Vintage Cuvée at £45, the MAGNUM Non Vintage Rosé at £45, and two flagship 2014s - the MAGNUM 2014 Sparkling Classic Cuvée and the MAGNUM 2014 Oaked Blanc de Blancs - each at £60.
Gold Award Winner Case - £151.30 (was £178)
For those who want the lot, the Gold Award Winner Case bundles six bottles - two each of the Wine GB Gold 2015 Classic Cuvée, the Sommelier Wine Awards Gold 2016 Old Vines Blanc de Blancs and the Wine GB Gold 2016 Blanc de Blancs - at a generous saving on the standard price list.
The Still Wine Range
Greyfriars' still wines are designed to be fresh, light and aromatic - aperitifs and seafood companions rather than blockbuster Chardonnays - and they continue to win critical praise. Susie Barrie MW in Decanter described the 2016 Cuvée Royale as 'beautifully hedonistic and artisanal in style … terrific value'.
2025 Still Sauvignon Blanc - £14.90 (was £17.50)
On sale at the time of writing, the 2025 Still Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Golden Old Plot and offers elderflower, gooseberry and freshly cut grass with a long, fresh gooseberry-fool finish. Try it with a pea and broad bean risotto or an asparagus salad.
2025 Still Pinot Blanc - £16
'Spring in a glass' is how the team describe the 2025 Still Pinot Blanc. Mango, chamomile and white pepper on the nose, with pear, lovely freshness and a creamy mid-palate. Excellent with courgette and pear quiche or any cream-sauce seafood dish.
2025 Still Pinot Gris - £17.50
The first single-varietal Still Pinot Gris release since 2019 and a wonderfully food-friendly Alsatian-style wine, the 2025 Still Pinot Gris shows skin-contact peach and apricot on the nose, then orange peel and yellow plum on the long finish. Pair with a lamb tagine or a delicate Barkham Blue.
2025 Still Rosé - £17
Made from Pinot Noir grown in the 2011, Pinot and Monkshatch Far plots, the 2025 Still Rosé is darker, bolder and more vibrant than previous vintages. Cherry, glacé cherry and creamy strawberry with a fresh finish - a perfect sunny-afternoon glass and a brilliant match for Wensleydale and cranberry, prawn cocktail or Eton mess.
Pilgrims Pinot Gris - £18.50
Greyfriars' first skin-contact Pinot Gris, the Pilgrims Pinot Gris is fermented on skins for seven days and aged in oak for three months, producing all-spice, root ginger and apricot on the nose with honeyed peach and orange peel on the palate. Limited to 716 bottles.
Reserve Chardonnay - £20
A solera-style still Chardonnay blended from 11 Greyfriars vintages from 2014 to 2024, the Reserve Chardonnay shows cashew-nut butter, cooking apples and peach melba, with a freshness that belies the extended ageing. A wonderful cool-climate winter warmer - pair with roast chicken or scallops and black pudding pan-fried in butter.
Gifts, Accessories and the Cellar Door Shop
Alongside the wines themselves, Greyfriars offers a small but well-chosen range of gift items, accessories and gift cards - perfect for presents or simply for hosting at home.
- Wine Glass - a Greyfriars-branded flute, £5 each
- Bottle Stopper - Italian-designed chrome-plated champagne stopper, tested to 12 atmospheres, £8
- Corkscrew and bottle opener - the top-selling Murano double-lever corkscrew, £6
- Greyfriars Gift Box - UK-made single-bottle gift box, £2.50
- Greyfriars Vineyard E-Gift Card - redeemable in store or online for any wine or gift purchase, valid 12 months, £20
- Fizz & Tour Voucher Gift Set - a bottle of the Non Vintage Sparkling Rosé paired with a voucher for a vineyard tour, £50
Visit Greyfriars: Tastings, Tours and the Tasting Room
Whatever the season there is almost always something happening at Greyfriars. From the relaxed, year-round Vineyard Tour & Tasting (£25 per person, bookable via the tour tickets page) to seasonal highlights on the Visit page, the team has built a real calendar of experiences around the vineyard. There is also a complimentary self-guided tour trail through the vines - open during Cellar Door Shop hours, with no booking required.
Cellar Door Shop and Wine Bar
The Cellar Door Shop on the estate is the place to taste and buy. Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, with Sundays 12-4pm from May onwards. Free contactless click and collect is available for online orders, and you can buy by the bottle, the case or even the pallet. Free home/office delivery on UK mainland orders is offered on purchases over £60 (£12.50 otherwise).
The Horsebox Bar
On Saturdays throughout the summer the Horsebox Bar opens from 12pm to 7pm, pouring Greyfriars still and sparkling wines by the glass or bottle in the middle of the vineyard. Bring a picnic, soak up the views and turn the visit into a whole afternoon.
Bottle & Blanket Picnics
Building on that idea, the Bottle & Blanket experience (£29) lets visitors book a specific date in advance, brings along their own picnic and is provided with a blanket and glasses for a bottle of the award-winning NV Sparkling Rosé (other wines available by request). Available on selected dates only.
Food Truck Saturdays
Throughout summer Greyfriars welcomes a rotating line-up of local food trucks to the vineyard alongside the Horsebox Bar. Recent and upcoming dates have included La Poutine on Saturday 25 July (organic Quebec-style poutine), with the full summer schedule available on the Food Trucks page.
English Wine Week
Once a year the vineyard throws open its gates for the English Wine Week Celebration (£10 per adult). The Horsebox Bar is open all day, live music plays in the afternoon, a guest food truck (such as Chaat Indian street food) is on site and there are games and activities for younger visitors.
Open Air Theatre
Selected summer evenings see an Open Air Theatre performance staged in the vineyard - free admission with wines available to purchase from the bar.
Private Events and Corporate Hire
Set amongst the rolling Surrey Hills, Greyfriars also offers a unique setting for private and corporate events. The airy tasting room is suited to meetings and training days, while the wider vineyard and tasting room can be hired exclusively for christenings, birthdays and networking events. Tailored bespoke tours and tastings can be arranged for team outings or family celebrations. Weddings are not currently offered.
Food Pairing Notes from the Winemaker
Across the range, certain food pairings come up again and again. The still wines make brilliant aperitifs and seafood partners: Still Sauvignon Blanc with pea and broad bean risotto, Still Pinot Blanc with a courgette and pear quiche, Still Pinot Gris with lamb tagine, Still Rosé with prawn cocktail or Eton mess. The flagship sparkling wines are designed with longer, more substantial meals in mind - 2016 Old Vines Blanc de Blancs with Normandy-style moules, 2015 Classic Cuvée with Thai-inspired dishes, Sparkling Rosé Reserve with mackerel pâté.
Visiting by Train, Car or Taxi
Greyfriars is remarkably easy to reach from London - just 35 minutes by train from Waterloo to Guildford and a short eight-minute taxi ride to the vineyard entrance. By car, the easiest route is to leave the A3 and follow the A31 towards Farnham: look for the vergeside sign reading 'Vineyard and Veterinary Centre' and you will see a large white sign at the entrance. Travellers are asked not to turn into Greyfriars House, which is a private residence and not associated with the winery.
Public transport by bus to the gate is possible via the 65 from Guildford Friary Centre, but this requires crossing a fast dual carriageway and Greyfriars does not recommend it. Recommended local taxi firms include City Cabs and Cars (01483 888 666), Guildford Radio Taxis (01483 888 666) and Station Cars (01483 566 566) - please ask drivers to drop off in the main car park rather than outside the shop or tasting room, out of respect for neighbouring private residents.
Buying Wine Directly From the Winery
Buying direct from Greyfriars means free UK mainland delivery on orders over £60, free contactless click and collect from the Cellar Door Shop, and access to limited releases and pre-released vintages. Greyfriars accepts Visa, Mastercard, Visa Electron and Maestro. All online orders are processed through Shopify and shipped by APC overnight via the Wey Group.
Refunds for breakages or damage must be claimed within three days of receipt; faulty wines can be replaced after discussion with the team. Cancellations within seven working days of delivery are accepted under the Distance Selling Directive, provided the goods are returned in their original condition. Tour and tasting vouchers are non-refundable, though date changes can usually be accommodated with at least five working days' notice.
Part of the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills
Greyfriars is a founder member of the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills (VOSH), a group of seven vineyards producing wines from the rolling North Downs within the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
What Critics Say
The cellar has earned a reputation that punches well above its size. Alongside the Susie Barrie MW, Oz Clarke and Matthew Jukes quotes already noted above, the wines have won medals at the International Wine Competition (including a gold and trophy for the Sparkling Rosé Reserve in 2019), multiple Wine GB Awards, Sommelier Wine Awards Gold medals and Decanter Silver Wine Awards. Matthew Jukes wrote that 'the wines from Greyfriars are the finest value in our land' - a fair summary of a range that, from still Sauvignon Blanc to magnum Classic Cuvée, consistently offers remarkable quality for the price.
Looking Ahead
With Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc all now in the ground, a 40-acre estate, an underground chalk cellar and a recently built tasting room at its disposal, the Greyfriars team has plenty of room to experiment. Mike Wagstaff's plans include 'exciting trials and experiments in both the vineyard and the winery' over the coming years, along with a permanent programme of special events through the seasons. The next stop on the calendar is the autumn tour and tasting restart and, almost immediately, the launch of a series of special Christmas and new year events.