14/01/2022
My first 4K virtual hiking video is now live on YouTube. I take a 30 minute walk around the UK's largest vineyard - Denbies near Dorking in Surrey.
I start the walk by the main entrance to the Denbies Winery visitor centre. The entire estate covers 650 acres of the North Downs and includes 7 miles of footpaths. Of this area 265 acres (107 hectares) is currently cultivated. The remainder is woodland and pasture. The lime-rich chalky soils of the North Downs are perfect for viticulture (just as they are in the Champagne region of France). Including Denbies there are five vineyards in the North Downs between Dorking and Farnham. Surrey, Sussex and Kent together represent the heart of the UK's fast-growing wine industry.
The walk starts by heading west along a footpath that gently rises up the slope of the North Downs. These chalky hills stretch from Farnham in the west to Dover on the coast in the east. This section of the North Downs is the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. How come "Downs" go up? Well, that's because "downs" derive from the Old English word "dun" meaning "hill".
I join a path that heads into part of Denbies' woodland with the weak winter sun struggling to reach the ground. Then I cut off the path and out into the sun and you see the vast acres of grape vines for the first time. All missing their foliage of course. Vines are pruned in November/December except for one long stem that is left on the main body. At this time of year the vines are completely dormant. Come spring the vines will awaken and grow strongly always fruiting on the new growth only.
I walk past Chardonnay vines to a new artwork installation. The Radius seat is made from oak and its sweeping design is representative of the Surrey Hills landscape. Located high up on the ridge this seat gives a splendid view across acres of Sauvignon-Blanc, Pinot Noir, Ortega and Muller-Thurgau vines among others.
I descend through the vines and complete a loop of The Dell before heading back to the main wine estate building. All very slippery under foot because of the chalky nature of the soil. I complete my walk at the recently opened Denbies Vineyard Hotel which offers 17 rooms with exquisite views over the whole vineyard.
Join me as I take a hike in the winter sun through Denbies in Surrey, the UK's largest and best known vineyard. This virtual walk will take you through the v...
