Stockcross, RG20 8JU
Harden's survey result
Summary
To say it has “an exceptional wine list” doesn’t quite do justice to the cellar of more than 30,000 bottles at winemarker Sir Peter Michael’s Berkshire passion project – the 49-room five-star property that he opened in 1998 and which celebrates its 25th year of operation this year. All rooms (both bedrooms and public spaces) are named after famous vintages and reference his family’s vineyards in Sonoma County and the Napa Valley. Chef Tom Scade’s cuisine has its work cut out to compete but is consistently well-rated in all reports. New this year: the addition of a summer pavilion dedicated to seafood – Catch.
Summary
“The wine list is immense, but good sommeliers are on hand to guide you through it” at Sir Peter Michael’s modern, luxury country estate, whose “stunning, if challengingly extensive, cellar” features vintages from his family’s Sonoma County and Napa Valley vineyards. So “do not be daunted, as there is plenty of advice from the wine team” and the selection is “deep, complex, and fascinating… if expensive” (“if you are seriously into Californian wines, this is the place”, but “deep pockets are needed!”). Other aspects of the operation have a hard time living up to the main event and harsher reporters feel aspects of the place are “dull” or “nothing memorable by comparison to the wine”. Others, though, are “surprised by the good food” with dishes noted in despatches including “very good crab tortellini and Berkshire trout with caviar” and “beautifully presented Berkshire game pie”.
Summary
“The astonishing wine cellar is the prime raison d’être” of Classic FM founder Sir Peter Michael’s luxurious California-style property, which features many wines made on the Michael family holdings in Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Tom Scade’s cuisine is consistently highly rated, too, however, and was often appreciated in the form of small plates served in an “exceptionally well-appointed outside area created during lockdown, when eating outside was the only option”. With the return of more normal times, the restaurant has returned to its more conventional format (although many of our reporters “hope they continue the outside dining again next year”). There was only one repeat complaint made against this much commented-on destination this year: it’s not cheap…
Summary
“An extensive and esoteric wine list is the top reason to visit” Sir Peter Michael’s swish, California-style property: “a real experience, which begins when the automatic doors open, and you enter a haven of calm, efficiency and luxury”. The wine-pairings provide some “brilliant matchings (although some are seriously expensive)” to the cuisine itself, which is perhaps not as memorable as the cellar, but was slightly more highly rated last year – perhaps a good sign for Tom Scade who succeeded Robby Jenks at the stoves here just as our annual survey was getting underway.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Vineyard at Stockcross?
Owner's description
Whether you're here on a romantic weekend, gourmet dining experience, celebrating an anniversary, enjoying a family reunion or just getting together over a light supper and a few glasses of delicious wine, you're guaranteed to enjoy a very special gastronomic experience at one of the best restaurants in Berkshire. Our talented brigade of chefs specialise in using local and seasonal produce to create a simple but perfect dining experience. The perfect opportunity to indulge the palate is the Judgement of Paris seven course tasting menu, derived from the iconic wine tasting that inspired the hotel's journey.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SundayLunch | £42.00 | £54.00 |  |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 115.00 | 5 | |
| Menu2 | 85.00 | 5 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £23.50 | £34.50 | £6.00 | £15.00 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £42.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The Vineyard at Stockcross Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We have eaten here over the years and had high expectations as this is a Relais et Chateaux Hotel. We were underwhelmed as the service was very laid back. The food was good and the wines for which the hotel is renowned, no disappointment although we were not shown their long list of wines which was always most impressive but a short list which was concise but with a decent selection . The service was too laid back and, although the prices were five star the experience was not which is a pity. It seems that they are struggling with a traditional five star offering but trying to simplify things in a more modern style. The balance feels wrong and the experience therefore feels verfy expensive for what it is. Things have changed since Covid but sadly not for the better. There are competitors with a more exciting offering. the restaurant ambiance is also a little sterile."
"Second visit to this lovely place, this time Sunday lunch. As enjoyable as the first, the food beautifully crafted, the surroundings, artwork and wine related material, intriguing. Then the welcoming service... as good as it gets. Expensive? yes, of course. Avoid the sillier priced rare wines and you may come away feeling it was worth every penny for such a joyful experience."
Stockcross, RG20 8JU
Opening hours
| Monday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
