Sussex Vineyards - Wine Tasting in East & West Sussex

Sussex is the heartland of English wine. The chalk hills of the South Downs run the length of the county from the Kent border to Hampshire, sitting on the same geological belt as Champagne - which partly explains why sparkling wine from here has beaten Champagne in international blind tastings more than once. East and West Sussex have different personalities as wine regions: East Sussex is more varied, with everything from large-scale sparkling estates to tiny natural wine producers; West Sussex is where the heritage story is, home to some of the names that put English wine on the map. Both counties are well within day-trip range of London.

East Sussex has the widest range of wine styles of any English county. Rathfinny near Alfriston is the largest and most visited estate - 600 acres planted along the South Downs chalk, producing sparkling wines that have picked up a string of awards since the first vintage. The winery tour is one of the most thorough available at any English vineyard. The restaurant is open year-round with seasonal menus built around Sussex produce, and al fresco dining through the summer. If you want to stay over, the Flint Barns has 10 en-suite rooms and a self-catering cottage for four - dogs are welcome at both.

Tillingham near Peasmarsh is the other end of the spectrum - a 50-acre organic farm producing low-intervention wines that change with each vintage. The restaurant uses ingredients grown on the farm and the menu shifts with the seasons. It is a different kind of visit to anywhere else in Sussex.

For sparkling wine in a more traditional style, Ridgeview at Ditchling has been making classic-method wines since 1995 and sells them in around 30 countries. A summer restaurant opens on site from late June.

Davenport at Rotherfield is one of the longest-established organic vineyards in England, planted in 1991. The wines are consistently well-reviewed and the tours give a clear picture of how low-intervention farming works in practice.

Oastbrook near Robertsbridge sits in the Rother Valley, where a cluster of vineyards - Oastbrook, Tillingham, Sedlescombe and others - are close enough to visit across a weekend. The Rother Valley Wine Trail links several of them and is worth looking at if you are planning more than one stop. For summer 2026, a dedicated bus tour — the Rother Wine Triangle — now links all six: Oastbrook, Charles Palmer, Tillingham, Oxney, Sedlescombe and Mountfield. Departing from Robertsbridge or Rye, it costs £130 and includes four tastings at three vineyards (which rotate by date) and a light lunch. The clearest car-free route to this corner of East Sussex.

East Sussex has good public transport connections. Ridgeview is 15 minutes from Hassocks (Thameslink from London Bridge); Rathfinny is a short taxi from Eastbourne or Berwick. Several vineyards are within reach of Brighton.

The Rother Wine Triangle bus tour now provides a car-free route to six vineyards in the east of the county, departing from Robertsbridge or Rye.

West Sussex is home to some of the most significant names in English wine. Nyetimber planted the first dedicated sparkling wine vines in England in 1988 - committing to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown specifically for traditional-method sparkling before anyone else had done it at scale. Their wines set the direction that most English sparkling producers have followed since. Tours at the estate near Pulborough book up quickly in summer; plan ahead.

Wiston Estate near Steyning is smaller and less well-known, but the wines have won significant critical attention. The setting at the foot of the South Downs is hard to beat.

Bolney Wine Estate near Haywards Heath has been producing wine since 1972, making it one of the oldest in England. Unlike most Sussex estates, Bolney makes a range of still wines alongside its sparkling - the Lychgate red is worth trying if you want to see what English red can do. The cafe and winery tours run most of the year without needing to book far ahead.

Tinwood Estate near Chichester has one of the best-presented visitor experiences in Sussex - a well-run tasting room, structured tours, and self-catering lodges if you want to stay overnight.

Kinsbrook near Haywards Heath is worth knowing about for the food: the restaurant has been listed in the Good Food Guide, which is rare for an English vineyard. Worth visiting for lunch as much as for the wine.

Stopham near Pulborough is one of very few English vineyards focused on aromatic still whites - Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Bacchus - rather than sparkling. A useful visit if you want to explore what English still wine can do.

Ashling Park near Chichester has a wine-bar atmosphere, a kitchen sourcing from local farms, and a regular Thursday steak night.

West Sussex is most easily reached by car. Chichester has direct trains from London Victoria (around 90 minutes), with several vineyards within 20-30 minutes' drive. Haywards Heath is well-served by Thameslink for vineyards on the East Sussex border. Book train tickets via Trainline.

Rother Wine Triangle Bus Tour: A newly launched wine bus (summer 2026) connects Oastbrook, Charles Palmer, Tillingham, Oxney, Sedlescombe and Mountfield Winery in the Rother Valley. Departs from Robertsbridge or Rye — £130 per person includes four tastings at three vineyards and a light lunch. Book at rotherwinetriangle.securedirectbookings.com →

Most Sussex vineyards run tours and tastings between April and October, with some open year-round. Booking ahead is advisable for tours; walk-ins are often possible for tastings but it varies by estate. Summer weekends at the most popular places fill up weeks in advance.

If you are combining East and West Sussex in one trip, the A272 runs roughly east-west across the county and passes near several vineyards. Petworth and Midhurst make good stopping points.

For accommodation: Tinwood has self-catering lodges on the estate. Rathfinny has rooms and a cottage at Flint Barns. Several vineyards in the High Weald are a short drive from Rye or Battle if you want a full weekend.

Which Sussex vineyards are best for a first visit?
Ridgeview and Bolney are both well set up for visitors, run tours regularly, and do not require much advance planning. Tinwood is worth considering if you want a more structured experience.

Can you visit without a car?
East Sussex is more accessible by public transport. Ridgeview is a 15-minute taxi from Hassocks (trains from London Bridge). Rathfinny is a taxi from Eastbourne or Berwick. West Sussex is harder without a car.

What is the difference between East and West Sussex wine?
Both counties produce predominantly sparkling wine from chalk soils. East Sussex has a wider range of styles, including natural and low-intervention producers. West Sussex tends towards classic sparkling and has the longer heritage.

When is the best time to visit?
Harvest (September-October) is the most interesting from a winemaking perspective. Summer is the busiest for tours and events. Spring is quieter and most vineyards are open from April.