Surrey


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where"><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-33.jpeg" alt="The Vineyard Restaurant at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey." class="wp-image-52984" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-33.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-33-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-33-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-33-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-33-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>One of the UK&#8217;s largest single estate vineyards, <a href="https://www.denbies.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denbies Wine Estate</a> is set on a sprawling 600 acres just outside Dorking. The vineyard has been here 40 years &#8211; established in 1984 by local entrepreneur Adrian White and still run today by the White family. </p>



<p>The chalk soils, climate and south-facing slopes are similar to the Champagne region in France &#8211; which makes this a great spot for grape growing and wine production. The original 30 acres of vines have expanded to cover 265 acres &#8211; which is about 300,000 vines in total which makes around 1 million bottles of wine a year. There are about 15 different varieties, all suited to cooler climates, including classic varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc plus Bacchus, Ortega, Reichensteiner and Rondo. </p>



<p>Denbies is about a mile out of Dorking down a country lane just off the A24. It’s an easy 15 minute walk (or two-minute cab ride) from Dorking Station with access to Central London in around an hour, and about a 20-minute walk to Dorking Deepdene which has trains from Gatwick.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1220" height="822" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-spring.jpg" alt="Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking in Surrey in the spring time." class="wp-image-52990" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-spring.jpg 1220w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-spring-800x539.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-spring-1000x674.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-spring-400x270.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-spring-768x517.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1220px) 100vw, 1220px" /></figure>



<p>The UK&#8217;s answer to the French wine regions, Denbies Wine Estate is a vast vineyard in a beautiful location. The driveway winds through the vines arriving at a large visitor centre. It&#8217;s spring day and the place is busy and bustling. There are walkers and joggers, many with dogs, tramping the footpaths through the vineyard. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s a distinctly Continental vibe going on &#8211; and even thought the sun has slipped behind a cloud and the vines are in the early stages of regaining their leaves, the setting is still lovely. It feels more than a little bit special.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff"><strong>SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-58.jpeg" alt="Cheese and charcuterie board at Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-52987" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-58.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-58-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-58-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-58-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-58-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Well yes, that&#8217;s what we&#8217;re here for! Denbies is home to three restaurants &#8211; The Gallery Restaurant, The Vineyard Restaurant and The Conservatory Restaurant &#8211; so there&#8217;s plenty of options to dine and sample the bevvies. </p>



<p>But today we&#8217;re here for the <a href="https://www.denbies.co.uk/visit-us/indoor-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Wine Pairing Experience</a> at The Vineyard Restaurant. It&#8217;s a chance to sample the Denbies&#8217; award-winning premium wines while grazing on a mixed local charcuterie and cheese platter. Did someone say heaven? Oh yes, they did! </p>



<p>We&#8217;re seated at a table by in the Vineyard Restaurant by the floor-to-ceiling doors with a perfect view out over the vineyard. On warmer days the doors open and the space flows out to a covered terrace. There&#8217;s also the option to dine in one of two timber gazebos.</p>



<p>Guiding us through the wine flight today is wine extraordinaire Shelley Chapman  who&#8217;s charming, chatty and knowledgable. She talks a little about the wines, then leaves us to sip and scoff. It&#8217;s informative, but also informal and relaxed. So if you’re panicking about your lack of wine knowledge (other than drinking it), this is place for you.</p>



<p>We work our way through four of Denbies&#8217; finest starting with Surrey Gold &#8211; a Denbies classic that has been produced every season for more than 30 years. It pairs very well with the smoked chicken.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-42.jpeg" alt="Wine at Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-52986" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-42.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-42-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-42-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-42-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-42-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Next is the Greenfields, a light and creamy sparkling wine which is said to go well with the sharp cheddar (Tremains Organic Cheddar) on our board. And it does too!</p>



<p>We move on to the the Denbies Demi-Sec (a good match for the Brighton Blue cheese and the white chocolate and raspberry truffles), detouring first to try Redlands, a light velvety red which is lovely with the smoked venison. </p>



<p>It&#8217;s a known fact that most wines and I get along well &#8211; and the Denbies wines are no exception. Each is exquisite in its own way, and they&#8217;re made even more special by the food pairings. The smoked venison &#8211; from the Weald Smokery in East Sussex &#8211; was phenomenal and the cheeses (both from the High Weald Dairy in West Sussex) were incredibly moreish. The portions are generous, but I still managed to munch my way through most of it (with some help from Mr M). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay"><strong>STAY</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/Denbies-2019-09.jpg" alt="A room at Denbies Vineyard Hotel near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-39866" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/Denbies-2019-09.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/Denbies-2019-09-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/Denbies-2019-09-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/Denbies-2019-09-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/Denbies-2019-09-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/Denbies-2019-09-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t fancy the trek home after a relaxing afternoon of sipping and snacking? Then why not stay the night. <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/review-denbies-vineyard-hotel-dorking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I recommend you do!</a> The Vineyard Hotel has 17 ensuite rooms, spread across the original farmhouse and a newer annex. The decor is simple and stylish and there are plenty of luxe touches including fluffy robes and fancy toiletries. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly"><strong>KID-FRIENDLY? </strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s all about the wines, so I&#8217;d leave the kids at home. They can&#8217;t drink the wines (it&#8217;s over 18s only), and you&#8217;ll only have to share the cheese and bread with them! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disability-access"><strong>DISABILITY ACCESS</strong></h2>



<p>The Vineyard Restaurant is on the ground floor so it&#8217;s really accessible. There&#8217;s also disability parking just outside. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about"><strong>OUT &amp; ABOUT</strong></h2>



<p>With seven miles of public footpath within the 265 acres of vines, it&#8217;s ideal for a walk before or after your tasting. (I&#8217;d suggest you go before &#8211; you probably won&#8217;t be in the mood after all that wine and cheese!). </p>



<p>There’s also a 50-minute Vineyard Train Tour which takes in some of the most beautiful viewpoints on the estate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-64.jpeg" alt="Cheese and charcuterie board at Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-52988" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-64.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-64-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-64-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-64-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/03/Denbies-Wine-Food-Pairing-March24-AE-64-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Foodies, wine lovers, and anyone who loves an Instagrammable hotspot. It&#8217;d be great for a classy date, a girly get-together or a day out with friends.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Non-drinkers (obvs!).</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> The cost is £43 per person. </p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.denbies.co.uk/denbies-vineyard-hotel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denbies Wine Estate</a>, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA. </em></strong></p>


Review: Food & wine pairing at Denbies Vineyard Restaurant

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