Even though English vineyards have been around since the Romans times (Julius Caesar is said to have brought first vine with him) I doubt even the most patriotic would instinctively think of Sussex Chardonnay or a Cornish sparkling white amongst the world's finest wines, or England as one of the world's wine producing superpowers.
Most of us would probably reel off France; Italy; Spain; possibly Australia or Chile if they were to account for the New World. Such presumptions would be fair enough – for soon after the Romans left, wine production was rapidly in decline across England, and it wasn’t up until a post-war renaissance that it was in any way prominent again.
Mainland Europe is steeped in tradition, years of experience and expertise, and for many years we were somewhat incomparable in the quality of our bottles. However, English wines have got better in recent years, and no more so has this rejuvenation taken place than in Sussex: where our top producers are regularly upsetting the French by winning awards time and again.
At the heart of the English wine revolution are the counties of West and East Sussex, as both counties boast wonderful chalky soil similar to that found in notable parts of France and Germany (such as the Champagne region) and a climate gradually shifting to mirror the continent.
Atop the windy sun-kissed hills of Sussex, we can be proud of vineyards which compete with the best, such as Breaky Bottom, which won its first award back as 1993, when its ‘Seyval Blanc 1990’ won a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge. Since then, well known vineyards such as Ridgeview and Nyetimber have collected numerous awards; the prestigious IWSC ‘Best Worldwide Sparkling Wine’ being one of them, which Nyetimber received in 2009.
To help you discover the county’s finest producers, we have compiled a list, hand-picked from an abundance winning producers, some still up and coming – so charge your glasses for the Devour Sussex ‘Top Ten Vineyards in Sussex’.
Ridgeview
Ridgeview was founded in 1994 by Mike and Chris Roberts. It produced its first vintage in 1996, and has gone on to win numerous awards throughout the years. The vineyard makes world renowned sparkling white wines using traditional methods, and this year Ridgeview claimed the trophy for Best Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine at the International Wine & Spirit Competition for its Grosvenor (Blanc de Blancs) 2007.
A bottle of Ridgeview’s signature blend, Bloomsbury, costs £21.95 – a bottle that has received worldwide acclaim.
Visits: are available between 11am – 4pm, Monday – Saturday where tasting and tours are on offer.
Location: Ridgeview is located near Ditchling Common, just outside Hassocks.
For more information, visit their website: www.ridgeview.co.uk
Nyetimber
The first Nyetimber vines were planted in 1988, with a sole view: to compete with champagne. It is the largest vineyard in the country, with a staggering 438 acres to its name, and has won numerous awards over the years – the most recent of which is the IWSC UK Wine Producer of the Year in 2008.
A bottle of the Classic Cuvee 2004, is priced at around £21.66
Visits: there are no visits available to the vineyard, but the team at Nyetimber are involved in food and drink events; they were a key part of ‘A Taste of London’ in June 2010.
Location: Near the village of Pulborough, West Sussex.
For more information, visit their website: www.nyetimber.co.uk
Bolney Wine Estate
An independent, family-run vineyard, Bolney has been producing top English wine since 1972 – though named Brokers Vineyard originally. The 39-achre wine estate has been run by Samantha Linter since the 1990s, and produces predominantly red wines, traditionally with slightly lower alcohol content to other wine makers. Last year one of Bolney’s rosé wines was included in Decanter’s top five best value rosés. A bottle of the Lychgate Red, which has previously won a bronze medal in the English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition, is £10.65.
Visits: Bolney offer tours and tastings throughout the year, though pre-booking is advised. The standard tour for two costs £59.
Location: Bolney, West Sussex (West of Haywards Heath)
For more information, visit their website: www.bolneywineestate.co.uk
Carr Taylor
Carr Taylor is a family run vineyard first established in 1971. It has been producing top quality English wine ever since, in the heart of “1066 country.” Carr Taylor has won 130 awards since opening, most recently a bronze medal at the English & Welsh Win of the Year competition for its Sparkling Brut 2008.
A bottle of the award winning English Sparkling Brut costs £14.99.
Visits: Carr Taylor offer self-guided tours at a cost of £1.50 (under 16s are free) or guided group tours with a minimum spend of £69. Booking in advance for times is a must.
Location: Just above Hastings, East Sussex.
For more information, visit their website: www.carr-taylor.co.uk
Breaky Bottom
Peter Hall planted the vineyard at Breaky Bottom in 1974, when there were only a handful of wine producers in the country. Since then, Breaky Bottom has produced wine of an internationally acclaimed standard; winning a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge in 1993, for its Seyval Blanc 1990.
A bottle of the Breaky Bottom Sparkling Brut 2005, costs £21.95
Visits: Visits are subject to people’s adventurous side and map reading skills, as the vineyard is at the end of a bumpy farm track, over a valley. If anybody feels like exploring, they will be awarded with a free wine tasting.
Location: Five miles from Lewes in the fold of the South Downs.
For more information, visit their website: www.breakybottom.co.uk
Sedlescombe
The 30-achre vineyard of Sedlescombe has been managed by Roy and Irma Cook for over 30 years. It was Britain’s first winery to be awarded organic status in 1979, and has gone on to create a vast array of quality wines. Now, Sedlescombe is a certified biodynamic wine producer, and is set to release its first biodynamic bottle in 2013.
A bottle of 2009 Cuvee Bodiam Brut (Organic) is £25.00
Visits: A guided tour of 12 – 30 people costs £7.50 per person, or alternatively, self-guided trails cost £4.50 for adults (children under 15 go free).
Location: Near Battle, in Robertsbridge, East Sussex.
For more information, visit their website: www.englishorganicwine.co.uk
Plumpton College
Plumpton College has been an integral part of Sussex wine-making for 15 years, offering degree level courses in viticulture and oenology, as well as wine business. As part of their studies at Plumpton College, students manage 6.5 hectares of land around Sussex, as well as producing award winning wine from the Plumpton Estate. The most notable award to date is a gold medal at the English & Welsh Wine Awards, for its The Dean Brut NV.
A bottle of that awarding winning wine costs around £20.
Visits: Subject to college open days and visits.
Location: Plumpton College, near Lewes.
For more information, visit the Plumpton College website: www.plumpton.ac.uk
Nutbourne
The vineyard at Nutbourne was first planted in 1980, and in 2010 a brand new winery was opened on the 26-achre site. Nutbourne grows six different grape varieties: including Riesling style, such as Bacchus; and Chardonnay for its sparkling blend. Nutbourne produces between 30,000 and 50,000 bottles a year, all of which are EEC standard quality wines.
Wines here are only available by the case; a 12-bottle case of the Nutbourne Sussex Reserve 2009 is £108.
Visits: Open from May 1 until October 31. The vineyard is open between 2pm – 5pm weekdays and 11am – 5pm at weekends and on bank holidays. Organised tours are also available on specific days during the week.
Location: Nutbourne is situated close to West Chitlington, West Sussex.
For more information, visit their website: www.nutbournevineyards.com
Upperton
Andy Rogers planted Upperton in 2005, initially intending to make still wines. Since then, from 2006 to 2010, major changes were made and through vineyard exploration Andy, along with his team at Upperton, diverted course and now make high quality sparkling wine – from around 32,000 vines.
A bottle of Upperton’s Erubusco (Latin – blush) costs £21.00.
Visits: The Upperton shop is open between 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. Tours are subject to time and date.
Location: Near Chichester, West Sussex.
For more information, visit their website: www.uppertonvineyards.co.uk
Rathfinny
Started by ex-hedge fund manager Mark Driver in 2009, Rathfinny is Sussex’s newest vineyard. Although it has yet to produce a bottle of wine, Mark and his hand-picked team hope to be producing wine in the next five or six years, and claim to be “England’s sunniest vineyard.” Only time will tell – but with a great team and plenty of resources, one thing’s for certain: watch this space.
No bottles or visits are currently available.
Location: Cuckmere Valley in the heart of the South Downs.
For more information, visit their website: www.rathfinnyestate.com
Actually, Plumpton's most notable awards to date are taking the trophy for best small production wine in the UK the last two years running - the Sutherland's Block Pinot Noir in 2010 (which also took best red), and The Dean in 2011. That's a <strong>serious</strong> achievement, given that the vast majority of English producers & wines qualify in volume terms as small production.
Rather more than just the one gold medal too.
Actually Sedlescombe produced the first biodynamic English wine in December 2010 called 'First Release'. The first biodynamic sparkling wine will be released from the 2010 vintage sometime during 2012.
