8 hidden gems worth the trip across England, editor-ranked by Cork & Curve. All England guides.
Breaky Bottom ★ 4.7 · Sussex
Lewes and the Ouse valley · Breaky Bottom Vineyard, Whiteway Lane, Rodmell, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3EX, England
Peter Hall planted this secluded valley above Rodmell in 1974 on free draining chalk loam with flint, two miles from the Channel. Cuvees are named for friends and family rather than for vineyard blocks.
Tip: Cellar door collection is by appointment only and there are no tours. Email first, then walk in from Rodmell rather than driving the track.
Stopham Vineyard ★ 4.5 · Sussex
Pulborough and the Arun valley · Stopham, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1EE, England
Simon Woodhead planted Stopham in 2007 inside the South Downs National Park and works out of a converted Grade II listed Victorian barn, making Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Bacchus alongside a classic method sparkling.
Tip: The winemaker runs the 11am and 2.30pm Saturday tours himself from April to October. Book online, the groups are small.
Court Garden Vineyard ★ 4.4 · Sussex
Ditchling and the northern Downs · Court Gardens Farm, Orchard Lane, Ditchling, East Sussex BN6 8TH, England
Everything is grown, pressed and bottled on the same south facing slope below Ditchling Beacon: traditional method sparkling, a Ditchling still white and rose, and a red and rose vermouth made from the estate wine.
Tip: The vermouth is only sold at the farm and is the reason to go if you have already tasted your way round the Sussex sparklings.
Oastbrook Estate ★ 4.3 · Sussex
Rother valley and Bodiam · Park Farm Oast, Junction Road, Bodiam, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5XA, England
America Brewer planted the first vines at Park Farm Oast in 2018 and makes still and sparkling wine there, with vineyard tours, tastings and a Hobbit House to sleep in among the vines.
Tip: It sits on the Rother Wine Triangle with Oxney, Tillingham, Charles Palmer and Sedlescombe, which is a full day on its own.
Charles Palmer Vineyards ★ 4.2 · Sussex
Rye and the eastern Weald · Wickham Rock Lane, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4AG, England
The cellar door opens Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday afternoons, pouring the Classic Cuvee and a still Pinot Noir with the Brede levels and the sea beyond the vines.
Tip: Combine it with the 1066 Country Walk from medieval Winchelsea, which runs past the vineyard on the way down to the marsh.
Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard ★ 4.1 · Sussex
Rother valley and Bodiam · Hawkhurst Road, Cripps Corner, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5SA, England
Roy Cook's estate at Cripps Corner sells Solaris, a Regent and Rondo red and pet-nats certified organic or biodynamic by the Biodynamic Association UK, with a guided tour, a five wine tasting and a woodland nature trail.
Tip: The tour and tasting is sold as a voucher, so book the date by phone rather than turning up expecting a walk-in flight.
Hidden Spring Vineyard ★ 4.0 · Sussex
Uckfield and the Ashdown fringe · Vines Cross Road, Horam, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0HG, England
Still and sparkling wine made at Horam, with a wine bar and shop on site and a tour that walks the whole route from grape to glass before an expertly guided tasting.
Tip: It sits on the Wealden Wine Trail with Bluebell and Tilsmore, so plan it as one stop of three rather than a single destination.
Highdown Vineyard ★ 3.9 · Sussex
Arundel and the coastal plain · Highdown Vineyard, Littlehampton Road, Ferring, Worthing, West Sussex BN12 6PG, England
The vineyard below Highdown Hill pours its own wine at weddings and private events rather than opening a daily tasting room, which is why it stays off the standard Sussex wine trail.
Tip: There is no walk-in tasting. Contact the vineyard directly, and walk Highdown Hill above it for the view over the vines to the sea.