Sussex Wine Guide: Award‑Winning Vineyards & Sparkling Wine Experiences in West Sussex
With its dry and sunny climate and chalky soil, West Sussex closely mirrors the temperature and terrain of France’s famous champagne region. Boasting over 140 vineyards, Sussex has a growing reputation for producing distinctive sparkling wines. Here are some of West Sussex’s award-winning vineyards and wineries - come for a tour and tasting, dine in one of the on-site restaurants, or maybe you'll even book an overnight vineyard stay. Ready to explore West Sussex wine country? Read on to discover vineyard experiences and plan your perfect West Sussex getaway.
Wine Tours & Tasting Experiences in Sussex
Whether you're a wine connoisseur looking to discover more about Sussex or English wine, or searching for a great day out for family and friends, a tour and tasting at one of West Sussex's vineyards won't disappoint. With an expert guide you'll learn about how the grapes are grown, what makes Sussex particularly good for sparkling wine, and discover the wine making process which ends with a glass of excellent wine. Your tour will usually end with a tasting of different wines and depending on your chosen vineyard, you might choose to stay for lunch, afternoon tea, or maybe even an overnight stay.
Tinwood Estate, Chichester
Tinwood Estate, a short distance from the famous Goodwood Estate is a former lettuce farm which now has vines covering 65 acres. The vineyard has won numerous awards, this year scooping two prestigious Gold awards at the International Wine Challenge and The International Wine & Spirits Challenge. The vineyard has eight luxurious, dog friendly lodges featuring jacuzzi baths, walk-in showers and a barrel sauna which sit overlooking the vines, offering a quirky escape from the 9 to 5.
Don't miss: Dance amongst the vines at Tinwood's annual Summer Party in June, including live music, food and of course a selection of wines but be quick – tickets sell out as early as February! The Tinwood Harvest Experience: Help pick the grapes which make Tinwood on a day that starts with coffee, cake and an introduction with the owners, Art and Jody, a couple of hours of picking in the vineyard, and ends with a three-course harvest lunch served with complimentary Tinwood wines (Usually October, £65pp).
Ashling Park Estate, Chichester
“Ashling Park is a beautiful wine estate near Chichester that is already producing some of the most delicious and characterful sparklers in Sussex. They will only go from strength to strength.” So says wine expert, Oz Clarke. Set just outside Chichester, surrounded by the rolling South Downs, Ashling Park is a vineyard you can truly escape to - sample the trophy-winning wines during a tour and tasting, enjoy a locally sourced meal at the restaurant among the vines or treat yourself to a stay in one of the lodges designed by Will Hardie of Channel Four’s Amazing Spaces.
Top Tip: book a Thursday night stay and enjoy a free tour and tasting experience for two.
Harvest Time: Visitors are invited to volunteer to help with grape picking at harvest time, for an authentic West Sussex wine experience (usually in October).
Roebuck Estates, Petworth, West Sussex
Roebuck Estates near Petworth is known for crafting exceptional vintage sparkling wines and for its spectacular setting overlooking the South Downs. Come and enjoy a tour and tasting at the vineyard from May to September during which you will learn about the grape varieties which have helped win Roebuck's various awards, the seasonal techniques in use at the vineyard, and the commitment to sustainable viticulture.
Don't miss: Sunset sipping on Friday evenings May to August - sit and savour a glass of sparkling Roebuck accompanied by sweeping views and optional charcuterie or vegetarian sharing platters. On Saturday afternoons 'The View' sparkling wine bar opens for you to experience these fantastic wines in this beautiful setting. There's also a programme of music events in the vineyard to enjoy.
Stopham Vineyard, Pulborough, West Sussex
Stopham Vineyard is set in a beautiful location in the South Downs National Park in West Sussex and is known for producing both still and sparkling Sussex wine. Tours of the vineyard run every Saturday between May and September and are often led by Simon, the winemaker. You will tour the vineyard and the winery, which is set in a converted Grade II listed Victorian barn, before you're invited to taste the range of delicious wines.
Lunch stop: Choose to add lunch to your experience - this can be booked at the same time as you book your tour, and is at the nearby The White Hart pub which sits on the River Arun and offers views of Stopham Bridge, the Grade I listed bridge, originally built around 1347 in timber, then in stone around 1422.
Upperton Vineyard, Petworth, West Sussex
Upperton Vineyard sits just outside Petworth and is known for its English Sparkling Wine. Visitors are welcome to enjoy sipping these award winning wines at The Terrace Bar which opens from May to September - your drink comes with beautiful South Downs views to sit and admire.
We love: On your visit to The Terrace Bar you'll be offered a tasting of two wines before selecting which one you'd like a glass of.
Ambriel Vineyard, Petworth, West Sussex
Ambriel Vineyard sits on a sunny, south-facing slope in the South Downs National Park near Pulborough and is known for its Sussex Sparkling Wine. Visitors are invited to book a bespoke tour of the Ambriel to discover the practices in place here - from pruning and harvesting by hand to the support for nature and biodiversity through intelligent viticulture, plus anything you're particularly interested in. Tours are led by the Ambriel winemaker or owners, and finish, of course, with a tasting where you'll enjoy a chilled glass of sparkling wine.
We love: how nature has a home here - over winter Ambriel's vineyards are grazed by Ouessant sheep (the smallest sheep in the world) while the hedges are browsed by Golden Guernsey goats.
Kinsbrook Vineyard, Pulborough, West Sussex
Kinsbrook Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard and wine producer located in Thakeham, West Sussex. Kinsbrook offers a full Sussex Wine experience, with tours and tastings running in summer months, a cafe deli and restaurant which are open for you to enjoy seven days a week, at which you can enjoy coffee, small bites, wine as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Supper Clubs, live music and events run throughout the Summer months. Kinsbrook Tours and Tastings run every day at 11am, lasting around an hour and a half and finishing with a tasting of three KIN wines which are paired with light nibbles.
Don't miss: In summer the Pink Bar opens at weekends from midday for cold drinks and freshly made pizzas - perfect for sunny days.
Wiston Estate, near Pulborough, West Sussex
Wiston Estate sits amid rolling countryside in West Sussex and is known for its award-winning Sussex sparkling wine. This family-run vineyard's location at the heart of the South Downs National Park provides excellent conditions for grape growing. Come for a tour and tasting, dine at Chalk Restaurant, or experience one of Wiston's unforgettable events.
Each Harvest time, visitors have the chance to volunteer their time for Picking Days - in return for a few hours in the vineyard you'll be rewarded with delicious sweet treats, teas and coffees and a hearty lunch from the Chalk team plus, naturally, a glass or two of Wiston.
Stay over: The Pump House is a beautiful renovated cottage with luxury interiors and views of Chanctonbury Ring - a wonderful West Sussex escape.
Nutbourne Vineyards, West Sussex
Nutbourne vineyard and winery near Pulborough in West Sussex is a family-run vineyard producing a range of award winning still and sparkling wines. Set in rolling Sussex countryside with wildflower meadows, lakes and even Alpacas on the estate, it's a beautiful place to visit all year round. From Easter until Harvest time, visitors are invited to stop by for a glass of wine and cheeseboard, enjoy a tour and tasting (April to October on Saturdays and Bank Holidays) or soak up one of Nutbourne's 'Farm Feasts' or 'Burger & Bubbly' events.
We love: A self-guided tour allows you the chance to wander around the vines spotting alpacas, a wood sculpture and listening to the birds. Stop at The Windmill, Viewing platform and The Wine Lodge for wonderful South Downs views. You can explore the trail Monday-Friday 11am-4pm all year round.
Nyetimber Wines, West Sussex
One of Sussex's best known Sparkling Wines, the vineyard at Nyetimber has been producing sparkling wine since 1988. The Nyetimber producers use traditional wine making methods, combining art and science to deliver award-winning vintages with quality at the heart of everything they do - only the finest, hand-picked estate-grown fruit is used to produce these sparkling wines. Nyetimber Estate isn't generally open to the public, only during one of the annual Open Days held - you can find information on these here.
The Nyetimber Bus - If you can’t get to Nyetimber for a tour, keep an eye out for the iconic Nyetimber 1968 Routemaster bus which tours premium events throughout the summer including the Epsom Derby and Henley Royal Regatta.
Cycling a West Sussex Wine Route
Come and explore West Sussex wine, by bike! Our self-guided cycle route helps you to discover three award-winning vineyards close to Chichester - Ashling Park, Tinwood Estate and Upperton Vineyard by bike, taking in some of West Sussex's stunning scenery along the way. Stop for a tour or a glass of wine, afternoon tea or another experience at each vineyard. Of course you don't have to cycle the route, you can drive it too - nominated driver required! Explore the route here.
Sussex Brewery experiences
Set deep in the Sussex countryside, Langham Brewery beavers away creating a selection of authentically Sussex ales. You'll find many of these on tap at some of the many pubs across our corner of Sussex, and you can also call in to the Tap Room at the brewery for a pint or two. There are regular events held here, from live music to the annual Conker Championships. Micro breweries producing craft beers can also be found at the Farmers' Markets held in Chichester, Midhurst and Petworth.
Begin your West Sussex Wine adventures
