A Passion for English Sparkling Wine
Founded in 2004 by Sibylla and Bruce Tindale, High Clandon Estate Vineyard was born from a passion for creating quintessential English sparkling wine on the rolling chalk downs of the Surrey Hills. The first vines were planted in 2005 on a south-east-facing slope of chalky limestone (the same geology found in the Champagne region), providing ideal conditions for the classic trio of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Set within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near the village of East Clandon, the estate offers sweeping panoramic views that stretch across the countryside to London’s skyline on a clear day.
High Clandon’s flagship Quintessence cuvée is crafted using the traditional Méthode Champenoise, with almost uniquely five years’ maturation on yeast lees followed by at least six months after dégorgement. This meticulous approach has earned the vineyard nine Gold medals at the prestigious Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships between 2014 and 2019, including the coveted CSWWC trophy three years running. The English cuvées have secured a further ten Golds and five Silvers between 2015 and 2020, firmly establishing High Clandon among the finest small-scale sparkling wine producers in England.
The Glass Barn and Visiting
At the heart of the visitor experience is the atmospheric Glass Barn, a striking venue that hosts sparkling wine tastings alongside rotating sculpture and art exhibitions throughout the summer months. From the barn, guests can take in the glorious Surrey Hills terroir and the vineyard’s undulating rows of vines. High Clandon has twice won the overall Trophy for IWC Cellar Door of the Year and earned Gold medals for its visitor experience from Visit England, testament to the warm, personal welcome that Sibylla and Bruce extend to every guest.
Tours last approximately one and a half hours and include a fascinating talk by the owners, a walk through the gardens and vineyard, and a guided tasting of the vintage-only cuvée, Essence Liqueur, and the estate’s own gin and honey. The vineyard is open for monthly Open Days (usually on a Saturday) when visitors are welcome to drop in at no charge, and private tours can be arranged by appointment for groups of six or more. Wine enthusiasts and casual visitors alike will find High Clandon an intimate and rewarding experience that larger estates cannot match.
