La Mare Wine Estate — Jersey's vineyard, distillery and cidery

The only vineyard in the Channel Islands

La Mare Wine Estate occupies a sheltered south-facing hillside in the parish of St Mary in Jersey’s north-west interior — a position chosen by its founders in the 1970s specifically because the local microclimate allowed grapes to ripen reliably. It is not just a curiosity or a novelty visit. La Mare produces wines, ciders, apple brandy, chocolate, and the uniquely local Jersey Black Butter (a spiced apple preserve) that have won awards at national and international level.

For visitors to the British Channel Islands, La Mare offers something that no other stop on the island can: the experience of tasting a product that could not be made anywhere else. Jersey’s warm maritime climate, the particular character of its granite soils, and a production philosophy that has evolved over nearly 50 years combine to produce drinks and foods that genuinely reflect this small island in the English Channel. Combine a La Mare visit with Plémont Bay on the north coast — barely 10 minutes away — for a full day in Jersey’s beautiful north-west interior.

This is not a large estate by European standards — the vineyard covers a few hectares — but the quality is serious and the visitor experience is well organised. Allow half a day to do it justice.

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What La Mare produces

Wine

La Mare grows predominantly classic French varieties suited to the Jersey climate, including Cabernet Franc, Madeleine Angevine, and Seyval Blanc. The white wines are typically the most successful — clean, aromatic, and reflecting the cooler maritime conditions — while the reds are lighter in style than their French counterparts across the Channel.

In a good year, the Chardonnay and the blended whites are the standout bottles. The estate has also produced sparkling wines, and these are worth seeking out if available when you visit.

Cider and apple brandy

The estate’s cidre du pays and apple brandy are produced from traditional Jersey varieties, including the Bramley-style apples grown on the property. Jersey has a long history of cider production — historically more significant than wine on the island — and La Mare has revived this tradition thoughtfully. The apple brandy is aged in oak casks and rivals the calvados of nearby Normandy in character if not in scale.

Jersey Black Butter

This is a uniquely Jersey product — a thick, dark, intensely flavoured apple preserve spiced with liquorice, cinnamon, cloves, and lemon. It is made in a single overnight session traditionally held in autumn, when the community gathers to stir the great copper pan. La Mare makes its own version and sells it in the shop. It is unlike any other condiment and makes an excellent souvenir.

Chocolate

La Mare produces a range of artisan chocolates, some incorporating the estate’s own brandy or flavours derived from the estate’s production. These are genuinely good and not the standard tourist-shop fare.

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Tour options

Classic tour and tasting

The classic tour takes you through the vineyard and the production areas — cider press, winery, distillery — with a commentary from an estate guide. The tour concludes with a tasting of wines, cider, and where production permits, a measure of the apple brandy. This is the standard experience and takes around 1.5 hours.

Book the La Mare classic tour and tasting on GetYourGuide

The classic tour is well suited to:

• Couples or groups wanting an introduction to the estate
• Visitors with limited time
• Those primarily interested in the wine and cider range

Premium vineyard and distillery tour

The premium experience extends the classic tour with a deeper focus on the distillery operation and a more extensive tasting, including a broader range of wines and potentially older vintages. The premium tour includes a food pairing element and gives more time in the production areas.

Book the La Mare premium vineyard and distillery tour

The premium tour is worth the additional cost if you:

• Have a genuine interest in wine or spirits production
• Want to taste the apple brandy in depth
• Are looking for a longer, more leisurely experience

Self-guided visits

The estate’s shop, café, and garden areas are accessible without booking a tour. If you simply want to browse the shop, pick up bottles for home, and sit in the garden with a glass of wine, this is entirely possible — though the shop and café may have restricted hours outside peak season.

See all La Mare Wine Estate experiences

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The estate grounds

La Mare’s grounds are worth wandering beyond the production areas. The walled kitchen garden grows herbs, vegetables, and some of the fruits used in the estate’s products. The orchard section contains heritage Jersey apple varieties. In summer, the estate is in full production and the grounds have a pleasant bucolic character that contrasts with the coastal and urban character of most Jersey visitor attractions.

The café serves locally sourced food — Jersey Royals when in season, dairy produce from Jersey’s famous herds, and dishes incorporating the estate’s own condiments and preserves. It is a good option for lunch, particularly if you are visiting in the spring or early summer when the apple blossom is out.

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Booking and opening hours

When to book

Tours should be booked in advance, particularly in peak season (June–August) when spaces fill quickly. The GetYourGuide links above allow advance booking with confirmation. Walk-in spaces are sometimes available outside peak season.

Opening season

La Mare is typically open April to October for tours and the shop. In November to March, limited opening may be available — check the estate’s website or contact them directly. Do not assume winter access without confirming in advance.

What to wear

The vineyard and production areas require comfortable walking shoes — the ground is uneven in places. Layers are advisable as the barrel stores and distillery areas can be cooler than the outdoor temperature.

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How to get there

By bus from St Helier

Bus route 7 from Liberation Station in St Helier serves St Mary parish, with a stop within easy walking distance of La Mare Wine Estate. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Check Liberty Bus timetables for current schedules — route 7 runs several times daily in summer but less frequently outside the peak season.

By car

From St Helier, take the B38 or the inner road north toward St Mary. La Mare is signposted from the main St Mary road. Allow around 20 minutes from central St Helier. Parking is free on site.

By bicycle

The roads through Jersey’s interior are excellent for cycling — relatively quiet, with manageable gradients in the parish of St Mary. From St Helier, cycling to La Mare takes around 45–50 minutes via the inland routes. The estate has cycle parking.

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Pairing La Mare with nearby attractions

La Mare and Plémont Bay

Plémont Bay on Jersey’s north coast is approximately 10 minutes from La Mare by car — a natural pairing for a day in the north-west of the island. Plan the beach visit around the tide (arrive at Plémont around one hour before low water) and visit La Mare for a late-morning or afternoon tour and lunch.

La Mare and Greve de Lecq

Greve de Lecq, a sheltered north-coast bay with a sandy beach and a pub, is about 15 minutes north-east of La Mare by car. The combination of a beach visit and a vineyard tour makes for an excellent varied day in Jersey’s less-visited interior and north coast.

La Mare and the Corbière circuit

For a full western Jersey day, combine La Mare in the morning with Corbière Lighthouse in the afternoon — tidal conditions permitting. The drive from La Mare to Corbière takes around 15 minutes via the west coast road.

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Jersey’s food and drink culture

La Mare sits at the heart of a wider food culture that distinguishes Jersey from many small islands. Jersey Royals — the waxy, soil-flavoured new potatoes that appear each spring — are the island’s best-known food product, but the dairy industry is equally significant. Jersey cows produce milk with a famously high fat content; Jersey cream, butter, and ice cream are noticeably richer than mainland equivalents.

La Mare connects this agricultural identity to a more sophisticated drinks culture. The apple brandy, in particular, is a product that reflects the island’s proximity to Normandy — you are, after all, less than 20 kilometres from the Norman coast — while remaining distinctly Jersey in character. For more about Jersey’s heritage landscape that surrounds La Mare, Mont Orgueil Castle in Gorey and Elizabeth Castle in St Helier complete the picture of why this small British Channel Island repays multiple days of exploration.

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Frequently asked questions — La Mare Wine Estate

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, for guided tours — especially in peak season from June to August. Book online via GetYourGuide or directly through the estate’s website. The shop and café may be accessible without a booking, but confirm current arrangements.

Can children visit La Mare?

Yes. The grounds and the café are family-friendly. Children do not participate in the tasting element of tours, but the vineyard walk, kitchen garden, and orchard are enjoyable for all ages. Check whether the estate currently operates specific family activities or apple picking events in autumn.

How long should I allow for a visit?

The classic tour takes around 1.5 hours. Add time for the café and shop — allow 2.5 to 3 hours in total for a relaxed visit including lunch. The premium tour takes around 2.5 hours.

Can I buy La Mare products in St Helier?

Yes. La Mare wines, ciders, and Jersey Black Butter are stocked in some retailers in St Helier, including the Central Market. However, the range is more complete at the estate, and prices are similar or slightly better direct. The estate shop also carries products not available elsewhere, including older vintages.

Is La Mare Wine Estate accessible for visitors with limited mobility?

The main visitor areas and the café are accessible. Some parts of the vineyard and production areas involve uneven ground. Contact the estate in advance if you have specific mobility requirements — they can advise on which elements of the tour are most accessible.