FOUR Vineyards of Hampshire (VoH) members are toasting their county’s finest wines, having picked up awards at the world’s largest wine competition.

Danebury, The Grange Vineyards, Hambledon Vineyards and Raimes have all been recognised at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), trusted internationally for its rigorous judging process.

Now in its 18th year, DWWA boast an unrivalled global reach and are judged by the top wine experts.

Danebury Vineyards near Stockbridge was awarded a Bronze medal for their floral and fruit led style still dry white, Madeleine Angevine 2019.

A sparkling wine for celebrating anytime, The Grange Classic NV, and luxuriously refreshing, The Grange Pink NV which was described by the judges as “creamy and complex palate with intense raspberry flavours and a lively green fruit crunch”, both picked up Silver Medals for bottles produced from the vineyards of Burge’s Field and its soft, chalky landscape in Alresford.

The vivid wild-strawberry pink Hambledon Classic Cuvee Rosé and the incredibly complex and immensely enjoyable Hambledon Premiere Cuvée both scored Gold Medals. These wines are produced exclusively from the producer’s own estate on the southeast facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon.

Silver Medals were also awarded to Raimes’ 100% Chardonnay cuvée, Blanc de Blancs 2016, as well as the Alresford producer’s Classic 2015 sparkling wine. The judges described the latter as: “Toasty, yeasty aromas with walnuts and cream. Fresh and flinty on the palate with generous red fruit and tart apple.”

For over eight years the VoH have been working to promote the English wines of their region. The group includes Black Chalk, Cottonworth, Danebury Vineyards, Exton Park Vineyard, The Grange Vineyards, Hambledon Vineyards, Hattlingley Valley, Jenkyn Place and Raimes.

The VoH have recently unveiled a new online platform with a complete guide to the region’s wine tourism and a one stop shop selling mixed cases of VoH wines, including sparkling whites, sparkling rosés and still wines.

When it comes to the county social calendar, VoH have already established themselves with two exciting wine tasting events. Fairy Lights & Fizz – a pre-Christmas shopping event to taste, buy and stock up on English wines for the festive season – is set to return on Thursday 16th December at The School Room, Winchester College. Then the legendary Fizz Fest summer event is scheduled for July 2022.

Together, the VoH offer a truly eclectic mix of English vineyard tourism experiences and delicious English wines. The members comprise successful individual vineyard businesses, and as a group they work with mutual respect and collaboration.

Anyone wanting to be the first to know about VoH events can sign up to the new website’s newsletter.

All nine members’ wines are commercially available from independent wine merchants and top restaurant establishments throughout the UK. VoH are members of Wine GB (the vineyard governing body of Great Britain) and Hampshire Fare (which supports local food, drink and craft producers).