By Sally
5 Vineyards to Visit in East Sussex this Summer
The Sussex countryside, with its chalky downs, south-facing slopes and microclimate, makes it one of the finest wine-growing regions in the world, which has even been compared to northern France. In recent years, Sussex sparkling has earned genuine international recognition, appearing on the lists of Michelin-starred restaurants, winning awards that once seemed the exclusive preserve of Champagne, and attracting a new generation of wine lovers curious about what English terroir can produce.
The good news is that some of the best Sussex vineyards are within easy reach of The Bull, whether you're dropping in for a bottle, wanting to join a tour or simply craving a glass overlooking the vines — there's plenty to explore and discover.
Whether you're planning a dedicated wine weekend, a longer break in East Sussex, or simply looking for something special to do between country walks and long lunches, this is your guide to five of the region's best vineyards to visit this summer. ________________________________________
1. Newick Wine Estate — On Your Doorstep
Distance from The Bull: A ten-minute walk
You don't even need to get in the car for this one, which feels like exactly the right way to start a wine-themed break.
Newick Wine Estate is planted on gently south-facing slopes on the very edge of the village, making it one of the few vineyards in England where you can genuinely walk from your accommodation to the vines. The estate is a relatively new venture — rows of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier have been carefully established on the slopes, with the aim of producing high-quality still and sparkling wines that truly reflect this corner of East Sussex.
Tours run throughout the summer, and there's something genuinely special about tasting a wine made from grapes grown in a field around the corner from where you're staying. We're proud to support local, and it doesn't get much more local than this. What's more, guests staying at The Bull receive a discounted rate on their vineyard tours — an added bonus! Check newickwineestate.co.uk for more information. ________________________________________
2. Ridgeview Wine Estate — Ditchling
Distance from The Bull: Approximately 8 miles
Ridgeview is a name that carries real weight in the English wine world. Founded in 1995 by Mike and Chris Roberts — pioneers who believed, long before it was fashionable to say so, that the South Downs could produce sparkling wine to rival Champagne — the estate has since become one of the most decorated in the country. Their wines have appeared at royal banquets, won international competitions and found their way onto the lists of restaurants that take their cellars very seriously indeed. The estate sits near the village of Ditchling on the northern edge of the South Downs, surrounded by open countryside and with views that stretch for miles on a clear day.
Tours take in the vineyard, the winery and the tasting room, finishing with four wines guided by a knowledgeable host. The estate's Wine Garden is open from May to September — the perfect place to sit with a glass of Ridgeview and watch the afternoon go by.
Ridgeview is second-generation family-owned and remains independently run, which comes through in everything from the warmth of the welcome to the care in the bottle. Tours are available most days — book ahead at ridgeview.co.uk. ________________________________________
3. Bolney Wine Estate — Bolney, near Haywards Heath
Distance from The Bull: Approximately 10 miles
Bolney has the distinction of being one of the oldest established vineyards in Sussex. Founded in 1972, the estate was growing grapes and making wine here long before the region had earned any particular fame for it.
Today, the estate covers 36 acres of beautifully managed vineyards set in gentle West Sussex countryside near Haywards Heath. What sets Bolney apart from many of its neighbours is the breadth of what they produce: alongside the sparkling wines that have become the calling card of the county, Bolney makes a range of impressive still wines, including their popular Lychgate Rosé and a characterful still red. If you want to understand the full spectrum of what Sussex winemaking can do, this is a particularly good place to visit.
The Bolney Experience tour runs daily at 11am and 1pm, taking guests through the vineyards and winery for around three hours before finishing with a tutored tasting and food pairings. The estate also offers wine and cheese pairing events, seasonal harvest experiences and a relaxed café and wine bar open seven days a week.
With free on-site parking, accessible facilities and a shop stocked with bottles to take home, Bolney makes for an easy, rewarding half-day from The Bull. Book at bolneywineestate.com.
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4. Rathfinny Wine Estate — Alfriston
Distance from The Bull: Approximately 20 miles
If one vineyard in this list deserves the description of destination in its own right, it's Rathfinny. Set in a secluded valley in the South Downs near the ancient village of Alfriston, this is England's largest single vineyard — 500 acres of south-facing chalky slopes rolling up to the Downs, planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in a landscape that genuinely recalls the great estates of northern France.
Rathfinny was established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, who gave up careers in the City to pursue the vision of creating a world-class English wine estate from scratch. More than a decade on, the results speak for themselves: their Sussex Sparkling wines have won international recognition, and the estate has become one of the most talked-about in the country.
A summer visit here is a genuinely memorable experience. Tours run Thursday to Sunday from May through September, beginning with a walk through the vines to learn about the estate's viticulture and its sustainable approach to farming, before moving into the state-of-the-art winery for a behind-the-scenes look at how the wines are made. Guided tastings follow, with expert commentary that makes the wines come alive.
Combine a visit to Rathfinny with the short drive to the Seven Sisters cliffs and Cuckmere Haven, and you have an exceptional day out in the very best of East Sussex, before heading back for a delicious dinner at The Bull on the Green. Book well ahead at rathfinnyestate.com.
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5. Wiston Estate Winery — Steyning
Distance from The Bull: Approximately 22 miles
Wiston Estate is one of those places that feels as though it has always been there — and in many respects it has. The Goring family have farmed this chalk downland estate near Steyning for generations, and when they planted their first vines in 2006, they did so with an understanding of the land that only comes from decades of working it.
The estate's winery sits at the foot of the South Downs, close to the ancient hill fort of Chanctonbury Ring — one of the most distinctive landmarks on the West Sussex skyline. The wines produced here are made using traditional méthode champenoise, and the quality is consistently excellent: clean, precise, with the mineral edge that chalk soils bring to the very best English sparkling wines.
Wiston's chalk cellar tours are one of the highlights of the Sussex wine calendar. Small, intimate groups are taken through the cellar and production areas before sitting down for a guided tasting of the estate's sparkling range. It's an experience that balances accessibility with genuine depth — you'll come away understanding not just what you've tasted, but why these wines taste the way they do.
Why not tie in a trip to Wiston with a visit to our sister property, The Castle Inn Hotel (www.castleinnhotel.co.uk), which offers a sun-trap terrace, perfect for alfresco dining after a vineyard tour.
Check wistonwinery.co.uk for dates and booking.
For those wanting to visit these fabulous Sussex vineyards, The Bull on the Green offers the ideal base to stay. The country pub has 9 individually-styled bedrooms ranging from twin rooms through to four-poster superior rooms. To check availability visit https://www.thebullnewick.com/.
