Ridgeview Wine Estate

Discover Ridgeview Wine Estate, a pioneering English vineyard crafting acclaimed sparkling wines, famously served at Royal occasions and state banquets, including for former US President Barack Obama.

https://www.ridgeview.co.uk

Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8TP. Get directions

Nearest station: Burgess Hill (1.9 miles).
Approx walking time: 41 minutes.

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

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

Ridgeview Wine Estate offers a serene escape into the beautiful Sussex countryside, providing an elegant and welcoming atmosphere with stunning views of the South Downs. It’s a place where you can enjoy world-class English sparkling wine in a picturesque setting.

Visiting information

Dropping In: You can visit the Winery Shop for sales and drop-in tastings between 11 am and 4 pm daily.Tours: Guided vineyard and winery tours require advance booking and are available year-round. Ridgeview is open to visitors year-round.

Restaurant: The Rows & Vine, Ridgeview’s on-site restaurant, offers vineyard dining. It is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 12 pm to 3 pm, Saturday from 12 pm to 5 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 3 pm, remaining closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Special Events: Ridgeview hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including the annual Ridgefest music festival, unique restaurant collaborations, Christmas craft workshops, and family-friendly Easter trails.

Children & Dogs: Children under 18 are not permitted on winery tours due to health and safety regulations. However, they are welcome in the restaurant, shop, or at special events when accompanied by an adult. Guide dogs are welcome on the estate.

Accessibility: The estate offers step-free access across its vineyard, winery shop, tasting rooms, restaurant, and bathrooms, with dedicated disabled parking bays available.

The Wine

Ridgeview is a pioneer in the English wine industry, known for crafting world-class sparkling wines using the traditional method. Their portfolio primarily features English sparkling white, rosé, and red wines, predominantly made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. They have also introduced a still Chardonnay.

The vineyard has earned numerous accolades over the years. Ridgeview was crowned Global Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2018, and was listed among the 'Top 50 World's Best Vineyards'. More recently, their Bloomsbury Magnum NV won Sparkling Wine of the Year at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2024. In 2023, they received Platinum, Gold, and Silver medals at both the WineGB and Decanter World Wine Awards, with their Sparkling Red Reserve being awarded the new Pioneer's Trophy. A significant achievement was in 2010 when their Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs 2006 was named Best International Sparkling Wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards, marking the first time a non-Champagne won this prestigious title.

Ridgeview is deeply committed to sustainable and ethical practices. They are a Certified B Corp, achieving this status in 2022, and are a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB), holding a Gold certification for their vineyard. Their sustainability initiatives include improving soil health, significantly reducing chemical use (with the vineyard being herbicide-free for over two years), and conserving water and energy. Their underground cellars utilise natural ambient temperature control, and a Bio-Bubble system treats all wastewater on the estate. Ridgeview has committed to being carbon neutral by 2030 and is already carbon negative across Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

The estate operates its own state-of-the-art winery, where their award-winning wines are meticulously crafted from grape to bottle.

Getting here

Ridgeview Wine Estate is located at Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common, East Sussex, BN6 8TP.

By Car: Onsite visitor parking is available.

By Public Transport: The nearest train station is Burgess Hill. From there, Ridgeview is approximately a 5-minute taxi ride or a 40-minute walk.

What's nearby

Other Vineyards:
Nyetimber
Court Garden

Notable Restaurants & Hotels:
The Bull Inn, Ditchling: A historic pub with rooms offering a warm welcome and great food, just a short distance from Ridgeview. The Bull Inn Website
Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Cuckfield: A luxurious Elizabethan manor house with a Michelin-starred restaurant and a renowned spa. Ockenden Manor Website

Notable Attractions:
South Downs National Park: Ridgeview is nestled within this stunning national park, offering extensive trails and breathtaking landscapes. South Downs National Park Website
Brighton & Hove: A vibrant coastal city, approximately a 20-minute drive from the vineyard, offering a diverse range of attractions, dining, and shopping. Visit Brighton Website