One of the most unexpected finds in the Jersey countryside is a working vineyard and distillery. La Mare Wine Estate can be found adjacent to Jersey’s National Park, in a quiet secluded corner of the north of the Island where fields of vines and apple trees surround a traditional, 18th century, Jersey granite farmhouse.

The Estate is a fascinating combination of history and tradition. Comprising historic buildings and beautiful gardens; extensive vineyards and orchards; a café, function rooms, a winery, distillery and estate kitchens which produce a wonderful array of Genuine Jersey produce.

The Estate has nine acres of vineyards producing 20,000 bottles of wine per annum and has achieved international acclaim with awards from the IWSC.

Jersey enjoys a mild climate so is very suitable for making wine, especially sparkling wines. Wine production includes two quality sparkling wines: Le Mourier (white) and Lillie (pink), two white still wines, Sainte Marie Reserve, a dry oak fermented white wine and Sainte Marie Reserve: off dry, crisp and full of fruit flavours. A red wine, Bailiwick, is also made and includes the famous Pinot Noir grape.

Using apples from 11 acres of its own Jersey cider apples orchards - and over 80 other local apple growers - La Mare produces Jersey cider which is then double distilled in a beautiful Cognac-style copper pot still, before aging in French and American oak casks to produce the Island’s famous VSOP Jersey Apple Brandy.

La Mare also produces a wonderful range of Genuine Jersey Apple Brandy Cream Liqueur, the famous Jersey Black Butter, Jersey Fudge, Biscuits and luxury Chocolates which are all hand-made on the Estate.

The products are available from the Estate shop in St Mary, online www.lamarewineestate.com/shop or at Maison De Jersey, in King Street, or the Airport as well as the Spice House in St Helier’s Victorian Central Market.

The Estate opens its doors to the public through the summer months, offering tours and tastings of the Genuine Jersey products handmade on site. Visitors to La Mare can enjoy the sunny oak beamed Vineyard Cafe offering a lunch, light snacks and Jersey cream teas, as well as strolling around the vines, through the orchards and manicured gardens and children will love the play area and a visit to the Estate ponies Bubbles and Fizz.