Albourne Estate

Explore Albourne Estate, a pioneering Sussex vineyard that is not only carbon negative but has also been powered by its own solar energy since 2013.

https://www.albourneestate.co.uk

Albourne Farm, Shaves Wood Lane, Albourne, West Sussex, BN6 9DX Get directions

Nearest station: Hassocks (4.0 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Dog friendly

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Organic or sustainable

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Albourne Estate offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, set deep in the glorious Sussex countryside with sweeping views over the vines towards the South Downs. The modern Tasting Room, opened in 2021, provides a comfortable space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large south-facing balcony, perfect for enjoying the scenery. Reviewers consistently highlight the friendly staff and beautiful setting, contributing to its TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards in 2022 and 2024, and a 4.9-star Google rating.

Visiting information

Open Season & Hours: The Tasting Room and vineyard are open during the summer season, typically from April/May to the end of September.

Summer (April/May – September): Friday 4pm – 9pm (for Supper Clubs), Saturday 11am – 6pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm.
Winter (October – April): Friday 11am – 5pm (from October 1st 2025). Selected dates in December for Christmas shopping.

Tours & Tastings:

Guided Tours & Tastings: These experiences, often including a vineyard walk, winery tour, and tutored wine tasting with local Sussex cheese, require advance booking.
Self-Guided Visits: Visitors are welcome to drop in during opening hours for a casual visit, a self-guided stroll around the vineyard, and wine tasting at their own pace in the Tasting Room.

Food & Drink: Local Sussex cheese and charcuterie boards are available for purchase in the Tasting Room.
Special Events:

Friday Night Supper Clubs: Throughout the summer, Albourne Estate hosts 'pop-up' dining events with local chefs and street food vendors. Advance booking is required.
Vineyard Picnics: Pre-ordered, locally sourced picnic hampers for two can be enjoyed amongst the vines.
Keep an eye on their website for other special events throughout the year.

Accommodation: There is no accommodation directly on site, but Albourne Estate recommends several local options for those wishing to stay nearby.
Dogs & Children: The vineyard and Tasting Room are dog-friendly, though dogs must be kept on a lead. Children are welcome to join tours, but participants must be at least 18 years old for wine tastings.

The Wine

Albourne Estate produces a diverse range of single-estate wines, including sparkling (made using both traditional and Charmat methods), still white, red, rosé, and even a unique vermouth. The vineyard cultivates a variety of grapes, including the classic Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier for their sparkling wines. For their still wines, they grow Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Bacchus, Ortega, and Dornfelder, also notably crafting a White Pinot Noir.

All wines are crafted on-site in their own modern winery, with the entire process from vine to bottle managed within the estate. Albourne Estate wines have garnered significant recognition, winning numerous awards. Their 2014 Bacchus earned the prestigious Wine of the Year Trophy at the UK Vineyard Association's English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition in 2015. More recently, at the WineGB Awards 2023, the estate received one gold, two silvers, and three bronze medals. Their 2017 Estate Premier Cuvée Zero Dosage received a Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2024, where their NV Brut and 2022 Bacchus also took Bronze medals. Their distinctive '40' English Vermouth was awarded a Gold medal at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2019.

Albourne Estate is committed to sustainability, being certified by Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. The business is carbon negative, meaning it captures more carbon than it produces, and has been powered 100% by green energy since 2013, largely from its own solar panel array. They employ regenerative vineyard management practices, such as year-round grass cover, winter sheep grazing, and building soil organic matter with 'green manures' and compost, to reduce herbicide use and promote biodiversity. The estate also actively plants new native woodlands to further its carbon capture goals.

Getting here

By Car
Albourne Estate is located at Albourne Farm, Shaves Wood Lane, Albourne, West Sussex, BN6 9DX. It is clearly signed from Shaves Wood Lane and is approximately 8 miles from Brighton.

By Public Transport
The nearest train station is Hassocks Railway Station (BN6 8HN). A taxi ride from Hassocks to the vineyard takes approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Buses from central Brighton stop at The Ginger Fox pub, which is about a 25-minute walk from the vineyard.

What's nearby

Other Vineyards:
- Ridgeview Wine Estate
- Bolney Wine Estate
Notable Restaurants:
- The Ginger Fox (Brighton)
- The Royal Oak (Wineham)
Notable Hotels:
- Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa (Cuckfield)
- South Lodge (Lower Beeding)
Notable Attractions:
- Devil's Dyke (National Trust)
- Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft