‘The High Sheriff & Friends Wine Walk 2025’ – Great Company, Stunning Views and Vines Aplenty – All Whilst Raising Funds for Two Great Charities.

After a LIVE phone chat to Mark Carter at BBC Radio Surrey my fifteen co-walkers and I set off at 8am on the dot from the idyllic Greyfriars Vineyard just off the Hogs Back – a fabulous starting point and our first tasting of the day – What a great way to celebrate the beginning of English Wine Week! The route ahead would take us through some of the most stunning scenery our county has to offer and along the way we would be sampling some of the best local wines plus enjoying an extra pit stop at a tucked away brewery.

It took a couple of hours to reach Chilworth Manor Vineyard where we were greeted by Sir Graham Wrigley at ‘The Watch House’ – Chilworth’s new Tasting barn sitting alongside the vines. Graham talked with absolute passion about the vineyard, its challenges and achievements. Time for our second group photo and off to stop 3 – Albury Vineyard. 

Albury Organic Vineyard is nestled alongside Silent pool Gin, and Mandiras Kitchen – two other innovative and award winning Surrey Businesses, just off the A25 between Dorking and Guildford. By this time the heat of the day was taking its toll and it was nice to sit in the centre for a while out of the suns rays whilst events manager Becky, poured us all a chilled glass of their finest, which was of course very welcome too! We were also joined by Moira and David Martin from Kellys Storage, one of Guildford Philanthropy’s Corporate Ambassadors, who came to cheer us on which was a pleasant surprise! It was at this point that I announced to the walkers that we would have quite a steep incline out of the vineyard to tackle which was better received than I anticipated – the reward being a visit to the very tucked away Tillingbourne Brewery where Steve and his team proceeded to pour some of their wonderful Amber Liquid – I hasten to add that care was taken not to over-indulge and for the most of us a swift half was enough – despite it being extremely moorish! 

The penultimate wine stop was High Clandon Vineyard – a private one with beautiful views over the Surrey Hills and currently home to some impressive sculptures on display. We were welcomed by Sibylla and Bruce Tindale – the owners of the estate, and each presented with a glass of their singular, matured vintage-only Cuvée, which was of course excellent. There, the weary walkers rested under the awnings in stunning surroundings no doubt trying not to think of the last leg of their journey to Denbies Hillside a tough walk through the woods where they would join the support team for water replenishment and yet more photos in front of St Barnabas Church – (the one with the tall spire at Ranmore). 

And so to the easiest part of the walk (technically) – the blister squishing march down though Denbies hillside to the spectacular Denbies Hotel (some of the walkers also managed a light jog across the finishing line), where the final glass of the day awaited which of course was Denbies Wine Estate‘s finest English Sparkling Wine. 

A fantastic day and a huge thanks to the walkers who all made it to the finish in one piece, to the support team, our hosts – who all looked after us brilliantly, Matt at Surrey Hills Vineyards, but most of all to every one who donated, helping us to support Guildford Philanthropy and The High Sheriffs Youth Awards. The Surrey Hills is a place of beauty and we feel lucky to have seen it in such a wonderful way. #vineyardsofthesurreyhills Below are some behind the scenes images from the day!

YOU can still help us raise money for these two great causes by donating a few quid if you can to VOSH.co.uk

Photos by Andy Newbold