Vineyards

In recent years English wines have been quietly winning awards and converting the sceptics with their quality and taste. The south coast’s sunnier, drier climate, the best in the UK for growing grapes, and the fact that Sussex has the same chalky subsoil found in the Champagne region of France, mean that, as well as award-winning reds, whites and rosés, East & West Sussex vineyards are producing sparkling wines that regularly trounce French Champagnes in international competitions.

Star wines at Bookers Vineyard, Bolney include the red Dark Harvest, Bart’s Bubbly and Pinot Noir, while at the 37-acre Carr Taylor Vineyards,  near Hastings, the sparkling wines, fruit wines and traditional mead have won over 60 international awards.

At Nyetimber Vineyard,  West Chiltington, try the Champagne-beating Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs and the Classic Cuvée, and at Ridgeview Wine Estate  Ditchling Common, their delicious sparkling rosé always sells out. A favourite at Breaky Bottom Vineyard,  Rodmell near Lewes, is the Cuvée Alex Mercier Sparkling.  

At England’s oldest organic vineyard, Sedlescombe Organic Wines,  near Robertsbridge, the wines are all made the traditional way, and being organic, you’re less likely to get a hangover. Nutbourne Vineyard  near Pulborough has 18 acres of vines, producing their distinctive ‘Nutty’ bubbly and a range of dry white wines, while Barnsgate Manor Vineyard Uckfield, produces white wines and bubbly, as well as red wines from Rondo grapes, a new variety especially developed to cope with the northern European climate.