A First Vineyard Tour at Mount Vineyard Sunday 1st February 2026

Reviewed by Philip Smith. 22.08.26.

This tour was ran under the Salisbury Dining Society.

Sunday 1 February was a very special day for me, as I had the pleasure of hosting my first-ever vineyard tour at Mount Vineyard, accompanied by a fantastic group of 28 guests.

Organising a vineyard experience for such a large group was both exciting and, naturally, a little nerve-racking. I wanted everyone to have a wonderful time, discover more about English wine and, most importantly, enjoy the experience together. Thankfully, Mount Vineyard proved to be the perfect setting.

Welcome to Mount Vineyard

Nestled in the Kent countryside, Mount Vineyard is a beautiful destination for anyone interested in English wine. From the moment we arrived, there was a wonderful sense of anticipation among the group.

For me, though, this visit was about more than simply enjoying a vineyard tour. It marked the beginning of something new — my first time hosting an organised vineyard experience.

With 28 guests joining us, there was certainly plenty to coordinate, but seeing everyone arriving, chatting and looking forward to the day made all the preparation worthwhile.

Our Vineyard Tour

The tour gave us the opportunity to learn more about the vineyard, the grapes grown there and the processes involved in producing English wine.

One of the things I love about vineyard tours is that they allow you to see the journey behind the bottle. We often enjoy a glass of wine without thinking about everything that has gone into producing it, from planting and nurturing the vines through to harvesting, pressing, fermentation and eventually bottling.

For our 28 guests, it also became a chance to ask questions, share opinions and discover more about something that many of us enjoy but perhaps don't always understand in depth.

A Great Group Makes the Experience

Hosting 28 people for my first vineyard tour could have been daunting, but the group made it incredibly enjoyable.

There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the day, with plenty of laughter, conversation and enthusiasm. It was lovely watching people who perhaps didn't know each other particularly well at the beginning of the day becoming more relaxed and engaged as the tour progressed.

Wine has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and this visit was a perfect example.

Discovering English Wine

One of the main reasons I wanted to organise vineyard visits was to showcase just how much there is to discover within the English wine industry.

Kent has become an increasingly exciting wine-producing region, and visiting vineyards such as Mount Vineyard gives us the opportunity to appreciate the landscape, climate and dedication behind English wine.

Rather than simply tasting a bottle, we were able to understand more about where it came from and the people behind it.

My First Vineyard Tour

For me personally, this day will always stand out.

Hosting 28 guests on my first vineyard tour was a milestone. There were plenty of things to think about — making sure everyone knew where they needed to be, keeping the day running smoothly and ensuring that every guest felt included.

But once the day got underway, the nerves disappeared and I was able to concentrate on what mattered most: making sure everyone had a memorable experience.

Looking around at 28 happy guests enjoying themselves made all the organisation worthwhile.

It also gave me the confidence to realise that this is something I genuinely enjoy doing.

Looking Back

Sunday 1 February wasn't simply a trip to a vineyard. It was the beginning of a new adventure for me as a host.

Mount Vineyard provided the setting, but it was the people who made the day so memorable. Having 28 guests share that first experience with me made it even more special.

I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us, supported the day and helped make my first vineyard tour such a success.

There is something wonderful about bringing people together over good wine, beautiful surroundings and new experiences — and after this first tour, I can't wait to see where the next one takes us.

Here's to the first of many vineyard adventures! 🍷