West Sussex sits on the same band of chalk that runs beneath the Champagne region of France. That geological coincidence, combined with south-facing slopes and a climate that gets a little warmer each year, has turned this corner of England into serious wine country.
The numbers tell the story. The UK now has over 1,100 vineyards and 238 wineries, with more than 4,800 hectares under vine producing over 10.6 million bottles in the 2024 harvest alone, according to Wine GB. Sussex is at the heart of it all, home to some of the most celebrated names in English sparkling wine.
Whether you are planning a romantic day out, a birthday treat, or simply fancy discovering what all the fuss is about, here is our guide to the best vineyards and wine tasting experiences in West Sussex.
Quick Comparison
| Vineyard | Location | Tour Price | Tasting Price | Restaurant | Booking Required | |----------|----------|-----------|--------------|------------|-----------------| | Tinwood Estate | Chichester, PO18 0NE | From £21pp | Included in tour | Yes (Vineyard Kitchen) | Yes | | Wiston Estate | Steyning, BN44 3DZ | From £37.50pp | Included in tour | Yes (Chalk) | Yes | | Bolney Wine Estate | Haywards Heath, RH17 5NB | From £20pp (tasting only) | From £20pp | Yes (Eighteen Acre Cafe) | Yes (walk-ins for cafe) | | Ridgeview | Ditchling Common, BN6 8TP | From £35pp | From £20pp | Yes (Wine Bar) | Recommended | | Stopham Vineyard | Pulborough, RH20 1DL | Contact for prices | Included in tour | Lunch by the river (optional) | Yes | | Nyetimber | West Chiltington, RH20 2HH | By invitation/event only | Event-based | No | Yes | | Ashling Park Estate | Nr Chichester, PO18 8DX | Contact for prices | Event-based | Yes (dining events) | Yes |
Tinwood Estate
Tinwood is the vineyard that does everything. Established in 2007, this family-owned estate on the edge of the South Downs National Park near Chichester grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to produce single-vineyard sparkling wines using the traditional method.
The standard vineyard tour and wine tasting starts from £21 per person and includes a walk through the vines, a visit to the winery, and a guided tasting of their award-winning range. They have even created a menu of mocktails for non-drinkers, which is a thoughtful touch.
Beyond the tour, Tinwood offers the Vineyard Kitchen for food pairings, afternoon tea tours, private dining, and luxury vineyard lodges for overnight stays. It is open all year round, making it one of the most accessible vineyards in the county.
Address: Tinwood Farm, Halnaker, Chichester, PO18 0NE
Phone: 01243 537372
Our pick for: a complete vineyard day out or an overnight escape for couples.
Wiston Estate
Set within a 6,000-acre estate on the South Downs, Wiston is where wine meets proper countryside grandeur. Their vineyards benefit from ideal chalk downland conditions, and the wines have earned serious recognition.
The Vintage Tour & Tasting costs £37.50 per person and won the Gold Medal for Experience of the Year at the 2023/24 Beautiful South Awards. Led through the newly refurbished winery, you will see the traditional Champagne coquard press, the barrel halls, and finish with a tutored tasting of vintage sparkling wines in the tasting room. Tours are fully accessible.
The real draw, though, is Chalk Restaurant, which serves honest, seasonal food sourced from the estate and local suppliers. After your tour, wander through the vineyards, explore the walking trails, or book a stay at their self-catering cottage on the estate.
Address: North Farm, Washington, Steyning, BN44 3DZ
Phone: 01903 877845
Our pick for: a wine and dining experience with South Downs walks on the doorstep.
Bolney Wine Estate
If there is a single estate that tells the story of English wine, it is Bolney. Founded in 1972 by Janet and Rodney Pratt, it is one of England’s oldest wine estates and has been producing award-winning still and sparkling wines for over 50 years from its base near Haywards Heath.
There are several ways to visit. The Cellar Door Tasting is £20 per person for a 30-minute guided session, running daily at 11am (excluding Saturdays). For something more immersive, the Bolney Wine Pairing Tour and Tasting pairs their wines with locally sourced cheeses on a 90-minute experience, rated 5 out of 5 by visitors. The Bolney Experience Tour adds a mezze board and petit fours.
Mid-week tours (Monday to Thursday) are offered at a more favourable rate, so it is worth planning accordingly. The main tour season runs February to October, with limited winter dates.
After your tour, the Eighteen Acre Cafe and Restaurant is the perfect spot to linger, and the cellar door shop stocks the full portfolio alongside local produce.
Address: Foxhole Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath, RH17 5NB
Phone: 01444 881 575
Our pick for: a heritage vineyard with the widest range of tour options and price points.
Ridgeview Wine Estate
For more than 25 years, Ridgeview has been producing world-class sparkling wine in the South Downs. Their Classic Tour & Wine Tasting costs £35 per person for a 1.5-hour experience that takes you through the vineyards and winery, finishing with a guided tasting of four wines including a limited-release vintage.
If you are short on time, the Taste of Ridgeview is a brilliant introduction: £20 per person for six wines in 30 minutes, available on the hour from 11am to 3pm. Walk-ins are welcome, though booking ahead is recommended.
Ridgeview also offers a free self-guided audio tour and woodland walk (around 45 minutes), a vegan wine and cheese tasting for £35 per person, and seasonal Winter Cellar Tours that take you into parts of the winery not usually open to visitors.
The Wine Bar & Bottle Shop serves locally sourced artisanal food alongside exceptional glasses, making it a lovely spot to extend your visit.
Address: Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common, BN6 8TP
Phone: 01444 242040
Our pick for: the best free self-guided option, plus a superb wine bar for a relaxed afternoon.
Stopham Vineyard
Stopham is the one for still wine lovers. While most Sussex vineyards focus on sparkling, Stopham specialises in white wines from Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Bacchus, alongside sparkling wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
What makes the tours special is that they are led by the winemakers themselves (Simon or Tom) or vineyard manager Adderley. You will walk through the vineyard and into the winery, a converted Grade II listed Victorian barn, before a detailed tasting of the full range. Their wine was selected for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and is served at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons.
You can add an optional lunch by the river to make a proper day of it. Contact the vineyard directly for current tour prices and dates.
Address: Stopham Lane, Pulborough, RH20 1DL
Phone: 01798 865666
Our pick for: still wine enthusiasts and an intimate, winemaker-led experience.
Nyetimber
The most famous name in English sparkling wine, Nyetimber was first planted in 1988 on a site recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs and Winemaker Brad Greatrix have built the estate into a global brand, using only estate-grown grapes from vineyards across Sussex, Hampshire and Kent.
Nyetimber does not operate a traditional cellar door or regular public tours. Instead, they host exclusive events and experiences throughout the year, from open days to sponsored festivals. Sign up to their mailing list to be the first to hear about events, as they sell out quickly.
You will find Nyetimber wines on the lists of many fine restaurants and wine bars across Sussex, so you do not need to visit the estate to enjoy a glass.
Location: West Chiltington, Pulborough, RH20 2HH
Our pick for: buying a world-class bottle and watching for exclusive event invitations.
Ashling Park Estate
Just outside Chichester, Ashling Park combines sparkling wine, luxury accommodation, and creative experiences. Their award-winning Cuvee (from £35) and Blanc de Blancs (£39) have picked up Gold Medals at the Wine GB awards.
The estate runs a seasonal programme of events including Vine & Dine dinners that follow the winemaking calendar from budburst to harvest, paint and sip evenings, gin-making masterclasses, and afternoon teas. Accommodation is available in stylish vineyard lodges.
Address: Nr Chichester, PO18 8DX
Our pick for: a creative retreat combining wine, dining and overnight stays.
Tips for Visiting West Sussex Vineyards
Book ahead. Nearly all vineyards require advance booking for tours. Even where walk-ins are accepted, availability is limited, especially on weekends and during summer.
Go mid-week. Several vineyards (Bolney especially) offer lower prices on Monday to Thursday tours. You will also enjoy smaller groups and a more relaxed pace.
Visit during harvest. Late August to October is when the vineyards are at their most spectacular, with grapes being picked and pressed. Spring (April to May) is also lovely, with the vines bursting into leaf.
Plan beyond the tour. The best vineyard days combine a tasting with lunch, a walk, and a browse of the cellar door shop. Wiston and Tinwood make this particularly easy, with restaurants and walks on the doorstep. If you are after a post-tasting pub lunch, check our guide to the best pubs and beer gardens in West Sussex.
Designate a driver (or stay over). Tastings typically involve half a bottle equivalent. Ridgeview lets you leave your car overnight. Tinwood and Ashling Park both offer accommodation, so you can make a proper weekend of it.
Pick up local produce. Many vineyard shops stock more than wine. The best markets in West Sussex are another great way to explore local food and drink on the same trip.
Check Wine GB for English Wine Week. This annual celebration (usually in June) sees vineyards across Sussex offering special events, discounts and open days.
Looking for more ways to enjoy the county’s food and drink scene? Browse our guides to free things to do in West Sussex and dog-friendly days out if you want to combine a vineyard visit with a walk on the Downs.