The Vineyard
Stockcross, Newbury RG20 8JU
+44 1635 528770 • the-vineyard.co.uk
The name of this stunning hotel suggests perhaps that visitors will find vines growing somewhere on the surrounding land. But no, the vineyard referred to is actually in Knights Valley, California, and was purchased by Sir Peter Michael, owner of the hotel, in 1982. Sir Peter’s love of wine inspires the theme that is evident throughout the hotel. Bedrooms are named after famous red and white wines, and the short corridor that leads to the private dining room has bottles of wine stacked on either side and a glass floor that allows a view of the white wine cellar below (the hotel boasts a collection of 30,000, bottles of new and old-world wines, plus some of Sir Peter’s award-winning wines).
Even the teas on the intriguing tea list are cleverly inspired by some much-loved wines. The Sauvignon Blanc blend is a white tea with passionfruit, apple, and a hint of citrus; the Riesling is an aromatic, delicate tisane with distinct floral notes; the Pinot Noir infusion has a dry, light character with layers of fruity flavors; and the decadent Malbec tisane brews a deep purple liquor with a smooth, rich flavor profile. The teas and infusions on the menu were specially created for the hotel by Twist Teas, a mother-and-daughter team with a witty approach to naming their blends. Lapsang Souchong becomes Wholly Smoke, jasmine green tea is All That Jazz, sleep-inducing chamomile infusion is called Chamomile Yawn, peppermint is renamed Propermint, and, with a nod to the cake stand, rooibos blended with lemon is Lemon Drizzle. It’s so refreshing to find this sort of subtle sense of fun blended with an understanding of the important choices tea lovers make at teatime here. Guests are invited to choose their teas carefully by examining the contents of a large wooden chest in which are displayed small, glass-topped tins that contain the different blends and have lids that twist to reveal an opening just big enough to capture the aroma of each tea or tisane. Once the delicious sandwiches and small savouries have been devoured, and guests’ interest turns to the beautifully light scones with generous spoonfuls of strawberry jam and clotted cream, more or different teas are offered.
And when the time comes to sample the exquisite pastries arranged on the top tier of the cake stand, the skills of Head Pastry Chef Nicholas Bouhelier become apparent. For the classic afternoon tea menu, for the gluten- and dairy-free option, and for special menus devised for the hotel’s dedicated Tasting Room, it seems there is no item he cannot recreate in the form of a heavenly sweet concoction—a wine bottle cork, a Valentine’s Day heart, a Wimbledon tennis ball, and even a tennis court—he can conjure them all.
As well as its remarkable collection of wines and wonderful afternoon teas, The Vineyard is also admired for the original works of art on the walls, in the lobby, and in other areas of the hotel. It’s not often that a hotel surrounds its guests with artworks from the owner’s private collection, but here we find a sculpture by Henry Moore, paintings by French impressionists Degas, Pissarro, and Sisley, and other works by Postimpressionist artists and contemporary sculptors. So while enjoying tea or moving around the hotel and chatting with the kind and friendly staff (most of whom have worked here for several years), take time to appreciate all the carefully selected art, the themed details, and elements of the interior design that make this a wonderful, unique venue for afternoon tea.
