Bolney Wine Estate

Explore Bolney Wine Estate, a pioneering English vineyard since 1972, renowned for its exquisite wines and immersive visitor experiences.

https://www.bolneywineestate.com/

Bolney Wine Estate, Foxhole Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 5NB, England. Get directions

Nearest station: Wivelsfield (6.1 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Dog friendly

Child friendly

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Hosts weddings

Organic or sustainable

Open year-round

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

What's the vibe

Bolney Wine Estate offers a serene escape in the heart of the Sussex countryside, providing a picturesque setting with views towards the South Downs and abundant wildlife. This welcoming, family-run estate invites visitors to unwind and immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere of one of England's pioneering vineyards.

Visiting information

Open Year-Round: Bolney Wine Estate is open seven days a week throughout the year, but it's always advisable to check their website for the most current opening hours.Booking: You are welcome to visit the vineyard and shop without a prior booking. However, if you plan to dine at the restaurant or join a tour, pre-booking is recommended to ensure availability.Tours & Tastings: Vineyard tours and tastings are available year-round and can be booked via their website. A variety of tour experiences are offered, including The Taster Tour, Sparkling Afternoon Tea Tour, Grand Gourmet Tour, and Wine Pairing Tours. Mid-week tours may be available at a more favourable rate. Cellar Door Tastings are held daily from Sunday to Friday at 11am.

Restaurant & Cafe: The estate features The Eighteen Acre Restaurant and Cafe, boasting a stunning viewing balcony overlooking the vines. They serve locally sourced, seasonal menus for breakfast and lunch. An evening Wine Bar operates on Friday evenings, serving drinks and small dishes, and on Saturdays from 3pm-8pm, welcoming walk-ins.
Special Events: Bolney hosts an exciting calendar of events throughout the year, including Chef's Dining Experiences, exclusive tastings, and live music nights on the first Friday of each month. The estate also serves as a beautiful venue for wedding receptions and other special occasions.
Accommodation: There is no overnight accommodation directly on the estate.
Dogs & Children: Dogs are welcome in the cafe seating area. For families, there is a dedicated kids' menu and a fun vineyard trail designed for children.

The Wine

Bolney Wine Estate produces a wide range of award-winning English wines, encompassing both still and sparkling varieties. Their portfolio includes classic sparkling wines such as the Bolney Bubbly, Blanc de Blancs, and Cuvée Rosé, alongside still wines including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Bacchus, Chardonnay, and Lychgate Red. The estate also crafts spirits, including Bolney Estate Gin and Rosso Vermouth.

The vineyard has received numerous accolades for its wines and operations. Notably, Bolney was crowned 'UK Wine Producer of the Year' by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2012, and received a Gold for its Blanc de Blancs 2007 in the same year. They also won 'Winery of the Year' at the inaugural UK Wine Awards in 2017 and the World's Finest Glass of Bubbly Sustainability Award in 2021. Recent awards include Silver for their Estate Pinot Gris and Blanc de Blancs at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2020, and Gold for Blanc de Blancs at TEXSOM in 2020.

The estate is committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, guided by their "Guided By Nature" ethos. This includes mulching prunings back into the soil, using a biofilter for water recycling, and responsible waste management. Bolney also prioritises local sourcing for its cafe and has installed solar panels on its winery and main buildings, which can generate approximately 30-50% of the estate's electricity needs, with any surplus fed back to the National Grid. They distill waste wine into spirits and have installed solar-linked electric vehicle charge points on site.

Bolney Wine Estate boasts a state-of-the-art winery on site, integral to their winemaking process.

Getting here

By Car
Bolney Wine Estate is located approximately 10 miles south of Crawley, easily accessible from the A23 and A272.

By Public Transport
The nearest mainline train stations are Haywards Heath or Burgess Hill, both approximately a 15-minute taxi ride away. Local bus services (routes 86, 89, 273) also serve the area, with stops (Paynesfield, Crosspost, Ryecroft Road) located within a 7-13 minute walk of the estate.

What's nearby

Other Vineyards:
- Albourne Estate
- Leonardslee Wine Estate
Notable Restaurants:
- Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa - Features a Michelin-starred restaurant offering fine dining.
- South Lodge Hotel & Spa - Home to multiple dining options, including the Michelin-starred 'The Pass'.
Notable Hotels:
- Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa - A luxurious Elizabethan manor house with a spa, set in nine acres of grounds.
- South Lodge Hotel & Spa - A five-star country house hotel offering luxurious accommodations and an award-winning spa.
Notable Attractions:
- Wakehurst - A beautiful house and wild botanic gardens, home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank.
- Glyndebourne - One of the world's most celebrated opera houses, offering a unique cultural experience.