La Mare Wine Estate, Jersey: A Complete Guide to Tours, Tastings, Weddings and Sustainable Wine on the Channel Islands
Nestled in the rolling green countryside of St. Mary on Jersey's spectacular north coast, La Mare Wine Estate is the only commercial vineyard on the Channel Islands and one of the island's most cherished visitor destinations. A working farm, vineyard, winery and Charentais Cognac distillery wrapped into one historic estate, La Mare has grown from a single experimental vine planted in 1972 into an award-winning destination that draws tourists, food lovers, honeymooners and corporate bookers from across the British Isles and beyond.
Whether you arrive for a relaxed tour of the vines, a tasting flight of estate wines, a long lunch in the Vineyard Café, or to celebrate one of life's biggest moments, La Mare offers a uniquely Jersey blend of French gastronomy, British hospitality and island authenticity.
Where is La Mare Wine Estate?
La Mare is set in the parish of St. Mary, less than 30 minutes' drive from the bustle of St. Helier yet a world away in atmosphere. The estate sits within the Jersey National Park and is bordered by over 5,000 acres of protected coastline, ancient hedgerows, organic orchards and wildflower meadows, making it one of the most picturesque locations on the island.
The full postal address is:
- La Mare Wine Estate, St. Mary, Jersey JE3 3BA
- Telephone: +44 (0)1534 481178
- Email: [email protected]
The estate is easy to reach on foot of Jersey's LibertyBus network, with the No. 5 and No. 7 routes stopping right outside the gates. Visitors travelling by car will find complimentary parking and EV charging points on site, while those wishing to combine wine tasting with sustainable transport can hire a fully electric vehicle from EVie, Jersey's island-wide EV car-share scheme, and drop it off at the estate before enjoying their visit.
A Brief History of the Estate
The central farmhouse at La Mare, known as Elms Farm, was built by the De Gruchy family in 1797 and was originally devoted to apple trees. After the German Occupation of Jersey in 1940, the farm fell into disrepair until 1968, when the Blayney family restored the house and reversed its fortunes. In 1972, Robert and Ann Blayney planted Jersey's first commercial vineyard, and in 1976 the six-acre estate opened to the public as a tourist attraction.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, La Mare built its reputation for traditional preserves (most famously Jersey Black Butter), apple brandy, cider and a small but celebrated range of wines. In 1997 the Blayneys retired and sold the estate to the Owen family, with Tim Crowley appointed as Managing Director in 1998. Under his leadership La Mare has won the NatWest Best Small Business Award, Jersey Telecom Business of the Year, and more recently the AA Gold Award for Visitor Attractions in June 2026, the first business in the Channel Islands to receive this recognition.
Today the estate comprises a working vineyard, a state-of-the-art winery, an Alembic Charentais Cognac distillery, an 18th-century farmhouse, function rooms, an estate shop, the Vineyard Café and an organic wildflower meadow that supports pollinators and biodiversity across the property.
The Vineyards and Grape Varieties
The vineyard at La Mare is a six-acre commercial planting on the slopes above St. Mary's bay, where Jersey's unique micro-climate, which is mild, sunny and tempered by Atlantic breezes, allows grapes to ripen slowly and develop concentrated flavour. Current plantings include Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, Regent, Rondo, Orion and Solaris, with a newer block planted in May 2023 consisting of twelve rows of Solaris and five rows of Regent.
Vineyard manager Andrew Smith leads the viticulture team using sustainable, herbicide-free practices and an open leaf canopy training system that maximises sunlight and airflow. This reduces the need for synthetic fungicides, supports beneficial insects and yields fruit with the intensity of flavour that defines La Mare wines.
The Winery and the Wines
La Mare's wines are produced in the on-site winery under the supervision of Head Winemaker Jordi Sanvicens Moreno, who joined the estate in February 2022 from his native Catalonia. Jordi oversees fermentation, barrel ageing and bottling for the estate range, which includes white, red, rosé and sparkling wines made from estate-grown grapes.
Signature wines include:
- Bailiwick Red - a vibrant, floral blend of Pinot Noir, Rondo and Regent, awarded a Bronze medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in May 2024.
- Sainte Marie White - a bright, fruity blend of Seyval Blanc and Orion.
- La Mare Perquage Rosé - a soft, summer-ready pour that anchors the on-site café list.
- Domaine de La Mare White - the estate's flagship white, available by the glass and bottle in the Vineyard Café.
- A traditional-method Branchage Prestige Sparkling Dry Cider and Petillant (a sparkling apple wine), introduced in October 2025.
Barrel ageing is carried out in bespoke French and American oak barrels supplied by Torner, a Catalan cooperage with a long-standing partnership with the estate.
The Distillery and Estate Spirits
At the heart of the estate sits a beautiful copper Alembic Charentais Cognac still, imported from the Charente region of France in 1994 to keep pace with growing demand for apple brandy. The same still is used today to produce La Mare's entire spirits range, including:
- Jersey Royal Vodka, distilled from oversized Jersey Royal potatoes that would otherwise go to waste.
- Royal Gin and Royal Pink Gin, the latter launched in 2018.
- La Mare Artisan Gin, a field-to-glass triple-distilled apple-based gin introduced in August 2024, infused with pink peppercorn, orange peel, lemon peel, chamomile and cassia bark.
- Pomignac VSOP Jersey Apple Brandy.
- Pomvie, the estate's signature Jersey Apple Brandy Cream Liqueur, which features in the tour tasting flight.
- Pomelier, a Jersey apple aperitif launched in October 2025 alongside the Apple Alchemy Collection.
Each spirit can be tasted at the bar, ordered in the Vineyard Café, or purchased to take home from the estate shop or Maison de Jersey in St. Helier.
Estate Products and Black Butter
Beyond wine and spirits, La Mare produces a celebrated range of Genuine Jersey artisan foods. The undisputed hero is Jersey Apple Black Butter, a centuries-old preserve made by slowly cooking apples from the estate orchards with Branchage cider, lemons, sugar, liquorice, mixed spice, cinnamon and a final splash of cider. Black Butter is a deeply traditional Jersey product, traditionally made in the late autumn as a community celebration, and La Mare's version has won multiple gold stars at the Great Taste Awards and a Great Taste Award in August 2025.
The Estate Shop also stocks:
- Handmade fudges in classic and Jersey-inspired flavours.
- Luxury chocolates made in the on-site kitchens from sustainable Callebaut Belgian chocolate.
- Preserves, mustards and chutneys.
- Salted caramel sauce and other pantry essentials.
- Spirit miniatures and bespoke chocolate favours.
Wine, spirits and food can be bought on site at the Cellar Door shop or ordered online through Maison de Jersey, the town-centre boutique on King Street, St. Helier. (Please note that alcohol purchased online can currently only be shipped within Jersey.)
Tour and Tasting Experiences
The Guided Tour and Tasting Experience is the best way to understand the full breadth of the estate. Tours run daily at 11:45am, 12:45pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm, with an additional 10:45am slot during peak season. Each experience lasts roughly one hour and combines a gentle stroll through the vineyard, exclusive access to the winery, viewing of the Charentais distillery, a Grape-to-Glass audio-visual show, and a tasting flight of La Mare wines, cider, fudge, chocolate and the signature Pomvie apple brandy cream liqueur served in chocolate toasting cups. Booking online in advance is highly recommended.
Pricing for the standard tour:
- Adult online: £19.95 + 6% booking fee / gate: £22.95
- Concession (over 65s) online: £18.95 + 6% booking fee / gate: £21.95
- Children aged 11+ online: £5.45 + 6% booking fee / gate: £7.45
- Children aged 10 and under: free
For an even more in-depth experience, visitors can book a Meet the Winemaker session with Jordi Sanvicens Moreno, or a Distiller's Masterclass hosted by the estate's head distiller. Private and corporate tours are also available; the Private Tour & Tasting package is priced at £22.95 per person (ex GST), with discounts of 5% for groups of 2 - 5 and 10% for groups of 6+, and a minimum charge of £275 + GST for a 1.5-hour experience.
The Vineyard Café
Open daily from 9.30am to 5pm between 12 March and 31 October 2026, the Vineyard Café is free to enter and welcomes both diners and walk-in visitors. Breakfast (fresh-baked croissants, breakfast rolls and hot drinks) is served 9:30 - 11:30, with lunch and afternoon tea running from 12:00 - 16:00. Menu highlights include the Jersey Beef Burger with La Mare Black Butter and mustard sauce (£19.00), the Charcuterie Board for two to share (£19.95), the Seafood Platter loaded with Jersey crab and Atlantic prawns (£21.00), and a dedicated children's menu with everything from fish goujons to a Jersey cheeseburger at £9.50.
Two Afternoon Tea options are available: the Sweet Treats Afternoon Tea and the Savoury Sensation Afternoon Tea, each priced at £26.95 per person and accompanied by a pot of Cooper's fair-trade tea. A simple Cream Tea with fruit scone, clotted cream and jam costs £6.95. Visitors can also order a glass of Champagne Forget-Brimont Premier Cru (£60), a flute of Prosecco (£7.95 / £32 bottle) or any of the estate wines by the glass or bottle.
Adopt Your Own Vine
One of the estate's most popular experiences is the Adopt Your Own Vine programme. For £125 per year, adopters receive:
- A personalised adoption certificate with their name.
- Their name on a vineyard plaque at their adopted vine for the year.
- One bespoke bottle of La Mare wine from their vine's harvest, with a personalised label.
- A complimentary Premium Tour and Tasting Experience for four people.
- Seasonal photo updates of their vine's progress.
- An invitation to the harvest and the chance to hand-pick grapes alongside the team.
- A bottle of Petillant Sparkling Apple Wine.
- A 10% loyalty discount at the Estate Shop, Vineyard Café and Maison de Jersey.
It is a wonderful gift for wine lovers and a deeply personal way to feel part of the island's only vineyard.
Family-Friendly Visits and Children's Trails
La Mare is exceptionally welcoming to families. The estate features a fenced outdoor playground, large lawns and gardens, and two themed trails:
- The Fairy Trail for younger children (ages 3 - 10), which leads little explorers through the grounds in search of hidden fairy abodes, finishing with a chocolate treat. Priced at £5 per child.
- The Grapevine Adventure for older children (ages 10+), a clue-led detective challenge that tells the story of the estate. Every completed entry wins a chocolate prize.
Children are also welcome on the regular Tour & Tasting Experience; under-10s go free, and the wine is swapped for complimentary apple juice, with a chocolate treat at the end.
Weddings at La Mare
La Mare hosted its first wedding more than 25 years ago and is now considered the natural choice for couples tying the knot in Jersey. The estate offers exclusive-use weddings and more intimate gatherings with capacity for up to 150 guests.
Ceremony venues include the romantic Garden Room (up to 30 guests, granite walls and natural light, hire £395 ex GST) and the Estate lawns, which can accommodate up to 150 guests inside a marquee or yurt (lawn hire £395 ex GST; marquee booked separately through Marquee Solutions).
Reception venues range from The Winery, a state-of-the-art function room with drop-down projector, full AV and the Vineyard Orangery attached, to The Orangery (oak-beamed, panoramic vineyard views, up to 50 guests) and the permanent La Mare Marquee in the vines (up to 70 guests for private dining). Hire prices vary by season; for example, The Winery on a Saturday in July or August is £2,095, falling to £795 in October to December or January to March.
Couples can also add charming wedding extras: chocolate place names, bespoke favours, chocolate fountains, and La Mare spirit miniatures for guests to take home. Catering is in-house and flexible, with menus for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and other dietary needs.
Corporate Events and Green Meetings
With a range of unique meeting spaces, on-site catering, plenty of parking and electric vehicle chargers, La Mare is a popular choice for conferences, away-days and team-building. Spaces include The Winery (theatre-style for up to 200), The Orangery (up to 50), the Garden Room (up to 30) and The Vineyard Marquee (up to 100).
In November 2025 the estate became the first venue in the Channel Islands to receive Gold Accreditation for Green Meetings, recognising excellence across People, Place and Planet criteria under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Curated event packages include the Executive Meeting Room Package, Training & Away Day Package, Team Treat Experience Package, The Summer BBQ Package and a Corporate Meeting & Wellbeing Package.
Corporate activities are also available:
- Competitive Wine Tasting - £32 per person (min £480 or 15 people).
- Wine Blending Challenge - £42 per person (min £630 or 15 people).
- Chocolate Making Workshop - £35 per person (min £420).
- Barrel Building Competition - £25 per person (min £500 or 20 people).
Wellbeing sessions, distiller's masterclasses and bespoke team-building programmes can be added to any package. A Corporate Membership programme (£1,500 per year) offers complimentary tours, preferential rates and two annual social media posts highlighting the partner brand.
Special Events and What's On
Vineyard events are scheduled throughout the summer, with shared dining experiences in the vines. Confirmed upcoming events include:
- Supper Club goes to Spain - Thursday 14 August 2026. A Spanish-themed evening with pan con tomate, Txuleton-style bone-in ribeye steak, patatas bravas, chorizo, Manchego croquetas, and desserts including Basque cheesecake and Crema Catalana. £44.95 per person, with an optional jug of Sangria at £19.95.
- Bottomless Brunch - Saturday 29 August 2026. Ninety minutes of bottomless La Mare Mimosas, Pimm's, Vodka Orange, Madri or Elderflower Spritz, plus a brunch dish such as Jersey Crab Croissant, Smashed Avo & Poached Eggs, BLT, Scrambled Tofu or Brioche French Toast. £35 per person (18+ only).
- Sunday BBQ in the Vines - every Sunday, 12pm - 4pm. A relaxed vineyard BBQ featuring 6oz Jersey Beef Burgers, Brooklands Farm Sausages, Cider-Glazed Chicken Thighs and Lemon & Herb BBQ Halloumi, with sides including Smokey BBQ Coleslaw and Jersey Royal Potato Salad. £22.95 per adult, £9.95 for children aged 10 and under.
Tickets are bookable via the La Mare digitickets portal.
Sustainability and Green Ethics
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of the estate. La Mare holds Gold Green Tourism Accreditation and was the first business in the Channel Islands to achieve Gold for Green Meetings. The estate is certified by LEAF and the Organic Soil Association, with full organic conversion of the orchards and meadow expected to be complete by 2026.
In November 2024, La Mare announced it had become Carbon Negative, offsetting 77.03 tonnes of CO₂e per year against total emissions of 41.65 tonnes, a net balance of −35.38 tonnes, through efficient energy use, hedgerow sequestration and countryside stewardship. A ground-mounted solar partnership with Jersey Electricity is now in place, rainwater is harvested from the roofs (around 30,000 litres stored underground), and gas appliances have been removed from the catering kitchen in favour of clean electric equipment.
Biodiversity is actively managed across 1.17 hectares (13% of the total farm area), with wildlife boxes for bats, birds of prey and red squirrels, and a 3.96-vergée (around 1.78-acre) wildflower meadow planted with a Pro Flora mix to support pollinators. In June 2025, the meadow and orchards were honoured at the 2025 Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society Garden Competition, taking home the Jersey Tourism Silver Bowl (99.25 points) and the Jersey Beekeepers Association Shield for Best Pollinator Friendly Garden.
Getting to La Mare
Jersey itself is easy to reach by plane or by ferry from St Malo. Once on the island, the most sustainable way to reach La Mare is the No. 5 or No. 7 LibertyBus from Liberation Station in St. Helier. Travellers can also hire an electric car via EVie, rent a bike from Jersey Bike Hire, Evolution Cycles or Lakeys, or take an electric taxi with Ryde. Journey times are around 30 minutes from St. Helier by bus or car.
Awards and Recognition
La Mare's most recent accolades include:
- AA Gold Award for Visitor Attractions, June 2026 - 96% score, first business in the Channel Islands to achieve this rating.
- Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2024 - placing La Mare among the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
- Gold Green Tourism Accreditation (re-awarded July 2025).
- Gold Accreditation for Green Meetings (November 2025) - first Channel Islands venue.
- Bronze medal at the IWSC for the 2023 vintage of Bailiwick Red (May 2024), and silver and bronze for the Branchage Prestige cider.
- 2025 Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society Garden Competition - Jersey Tourism Silver Bowl and Jersey Beekeepers Association Shield.
Individually, the estate's Black Butter, chocolates and Jersey Apple Brandy Cream Liqueur have all won gold stars at the Great Taste Awards, while its wines and ciders have collected silver and bronze at the IWSC.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you are a wine enthusiast, a foodie, a couple planning a wedding, or a business looking for a sustainable away-day venue, La Mare Wine Estate offers a slice of Jersey that is unmistakably its own. Book a tour online, drop into the café for lunch among the vines, or simply wander the gardens, meadow and orchard paths and let the spirit of Jersey work its quiet magic. There is nowhere else quite like it.