Mersea IslandVineyard

Mersea Island Vineyard sits on Rewsalls Lane in East Mersea, planted in 1997 by Roger and Jacqui Barber on ten acres of sandy, sea-facing soil. What began with three grape varieties, Muller Thurgau, Ortega and Reichensteiner, has grown to include Solaris, Rondo and Caberay Noir, producing six wines such as the elderflower-noted Mehalah and the rosé Blush, each sold at £17.50 a bottle. The Barbers also run a brewery on site, bed and breakfast rooms, a café and a gift shop, and host weddings and hog roasts in the grounds. The estate opens Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until close.