The Chef’s Table follows the opening of Hambledon’s Michelin-recommended restaurant, The Restaurant, last year and is located in the dining room, alongside the kitchen pass.
The reboot of Hambledon Wine Estate’s F&B was originally supposed to be overseen by former Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and The Samling chef Nick Edgar, but he has now moved on.
The experience is being led by executive chef Rob McCleary, who will plate, serve and introduce each course.
Separated from the pass by a sheet of glass, the Chef’s Table will be available for private groups of up to 10 guests.
The experience will feature menus tailored to each group’s tastes and favourite cuisines.
Dishes will use seasonal produce from Hambledon’s kitchen garden alongside ingredients sourced from local Hampshire suppliers.
Guests can choose between a five-course menu priced at £100 per person or an eight-course menu at £150 per person. A £50 per person wine pairing is also available, featuring Hambledon’s sparkling wines alongside selections from a cellar curated by Berry Bros. & Rudd’s Mark Pardoe MW.
“Offering stand-out experiences at Hambledon Wine Estate is central to our growth strategy,” says CEO of Hambledon, James Osborn.
“We’ve been delighted that The Restaurant has enjoyed 80% occupancy since it first opened its doors last year and the Chef’s Table will further elevate our offer.
“Although the experience will be world-class, we are set on ensuring that our guests feel totally relaxed.
“Rob and his brilliant team are very excited to be given the opportunity to share some of the culinary magic which happens ordinarily behind-the-scenes – and, of course, the pairing wines will be incredible with the food.”
Mcleary, adds: “I’m really excited to work directly with our local suppliers and guests to create a menu that will be truly unique
for their evening, chatting with them, taking inspiration from them, and refining the dishes by adding our own twist as we go.
“It’s a completely different experience to the restaurant - no two Chef’s Tables will ever be the same.
“This has been a project for months in the making, and it’s been a real personal journey for me and for
Hambledon, watching this room evolve since we first put the window through from the kitchen.”
Hambledon Wine Estate was founded in 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones and says it is widely regarded as the ‘birthplace of English wine and the oldest commercial vineyard in England’.
Situated within the South Downs National Park, Hambledon Wine Estate was acquired in 2023 by Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, and Portuguese wine producer Symington Family Estates.
The Chef’s Table will operate from Wednesday to Saturday evenings, with a single sitting at 6pm.