The Hundred Parishes Society

By Ken McDonald, Secretary

Much Hadham Vine Cottage

The Romans introduced wine making to the UK and vines were cultivated to some extent until World War I when land was needed for growing food.
Viticulture (the process of growing grapes) began to revive in the 1970s with warmer summers and the development of grape varieties suited to English conditions. Today, we have several successful vineyards in The Hundred Parishes.
One of the first was Chilford Hall in Linton parish. It was run by the Alper family for 50 years before changing hands in 2024. The new owners continue to manage the 20-acre vineyard alongside their Grillo Outdoor Kitchen business.
In Great Bardfield, Great Lodge produces its own wines from six different grape varieties. The vineyard is open to visitors midweek from May to September and there is also a wedding venue on site. www.greatlodge.co.uk/vineyard
In Farnham, Hazel End Farm has been growing grapes for over thirty years. Their sparkling white wine is sold as Three Squirrels. This celebrates the fact that the Gosling family who own the land once had a bank in Fleet Street where a sign above the door read “Ye Three Squirrels”. www.corylet.com
In Saffron Walden, the first vines were planted at Saffron Grange in 2008. The family business is now well established, producing white sparkling wines and offering vineyard tours for small groups from mid-April. www.saffrongrange.com
In Stansted Mountfitchet, a new vineyard was planted in 2021 on a south-facing slope. The first grapes were harvested in 2023 and wine from the Gunyah Vineyard is now on sale.
www.thegunyahvineyard.com. This vineyard can be seen across the valley from Hundred Parishes walk number 137.
Another vineyard has appeared in recent years in Henham – and there may be others.
Please email hundredparishes@btinternet.com if you find any more.

For further information please see www.hundredparishes.org.uk