E

nglish wine? Are you serious? Well actually, we are – and so are the increasing numbers of people drinking it. But whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual sipper, a trip to Stanlake Park Wine Estate in Berkshire is an eye-opening experience.

For starters the vines (all 20,000 of them) are located in the grounds of an Elizabethan manor house, and the estate itself has an illustrious history dating back to the 12th-century.

The latest owners, Peter and Annette Dart are now adding to the legacy, earning the place a reputation for producing some of the UK’s tastiest tipples. Stop by on a Sunday for a quick sampling session and find out what the fuss is about (six tastes for £3.50 – bargain!), or simply stroll the walled vineyard garden, soak up the atmos’ and pop your head into the shop.

We recommend a bottle of the Ruscombe red (it’s delicious) – named after a nearby church where one of the estate’s former inhabitants is buried.