Winklestone Vineyard

This vineyard is open by appointment only. Contact them directly to arrange a visit.

New barn open for tours and tastings of organic wines. Booking required.

Opening hours can change for private events — it's always worth checking the vineyard's website before you visit.

What's the vibe?

Winklestone Vineyard offers a welcoming and intimate experience as a small, family-run organic vineyard nestled in the picturesque Ashdown Forest, where a passion for wine meets a dedication to environmental stewardship. Visitors consistently note the personal touch and delightful atmosphere of this charming setting.

Getting here We're located in Devon and have parking available on site for your visit. Plan your visit Booking is required to visit Winklestone Vineyard. Tours take approximately 1.5 hours, giving you time to explore the vineyard and learn about our winemaking. Bring the whole family Children are welcome at Winklestone. We also welcome well-behaved dogs, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend along. Browse our shop Before you leave, visit our gift shop where you can purchase our wines and other vineyard-related items.

Winklestone Vineyard produces a range of high-quality organic wines. Their first full harvest in 2023 yielded a delicious, clean, crisp, and fragrant still white wine, specifically their Organic Bacchus 2023. They also offer an Organic Rosé 2024. These wines are produced in small batches, with a philosophy of minimal intervention throughout the winemaking process.

Bacchus is well suited to this corner of East Sussex — a variety that thrives in cooler English conditions and tends to produce aromatic whites with a lively, herbaceous character. The vineyard was first planted in 2020, making Winklestone a young but purposeful producer still in its formative vintages.

The vineyard is deeply committed to sustainability, being certified organic and employing a zero-till policy to improve soil health and reduce erosion. They use no pesticides or herbicides. This commitment extends to their packaging, with bottles made from 75% recycled glass, plastic-free materials, labels printed on recycled paper, and bottle caps made from biodegradable wood pulp. Winklestone also operates a bottle return scheme, encouraging reuse. In 2024, they established their own winery on site, allowing them to oversee every step from vine to bottle.

The vineyard takes its name from Sussex Marble — locally known as Winklestone — a rock seam of fossilised winkle shells found in the soil beneath the vines and historically used in churches throughout East Sussex. Wines are available to buy online or directly from the cellar door during visits.

Winklestone Vineyard Ltd, Fairwarp, East Sussex, TN22 3BU

By Car
From the B2026, turn into Fairwarp and continue on The Street, passing The Foresters Arms on your left. Keep going down the hill, and after passing Normansland on your left, take the next left turn where you will see the vineyard on the left. Head up the track and park at the top on the left.

From the A26, go down Oldlands Hill, through the water splash until you reach a sharp left with iron gates on your right. Follow the road left, continuing on Oldlands Hill until you pass the Queen Elizabeth II football pitch on your left. After this, take the next right turning up the track with the vineyard on your left. Head up the track and park at the top on the left.

By Public Transport
The nearest train station is Buxted, approximately 4 miles southeast of Fairwarp. A taxi from Buxted station to the vineyard would take around 10-15 minutes.

Local bus services, including the 249 (Community Transport for Lewes Area), stop at The Foresters Arms in Fairwarp, which is just a 4-minute walk from the vineyard. Other bus routes (261, 29, 31A) also pass through Fairwarp.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

• Restaurants:
  • The Foresters Arms (Fairwarp): A traditional village pub offering meals, just a 5-minute walk from the vineyard.
• Hotels:
  • Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club (Wych Cross): A luxurious 4-star hotel set within 186 acres in the heart of Ashdown Forest.
  • The Chequers Inn (Maresfield): An 18th-century coaching inn on the edge of Ashdown Forest, approximately 1.7 miles from Fairwarp.
• Attractions:
  • Ashdown Forest Centre (Wych Cross): Explore the ancient Royal Hunting Forest, famous for being the setting of Winnie-the-Pooh stories, with extensive footpaths and an information centre.
  • Ashdown Pottery (Fairwarp): Located on the edge of Fairwarp, this studio offers pottery classes and workshops in the scenic surroundings of Ashdown Forest.