Biodynamic, organic and natural wine in Sussex: the certified estates and low-intervention cellars.
Biodynamic, organic and natural wine across Sussex: the certified estates and low-intervention cellars.
A 13th century mixed farm of 70 acres at Peasmarsh where vines share the ground with fruit trees, ancient woodland and livestock, farmed as a polyculture alongside biodynamics.
Tip: The restaurant serves Friday to Sunday and there are eleven rooms on the farm, so the low intervention list is best met over dinner.
Thirty five acres of Soil Association certified vines near Rye, composted with farmyard manure off the wider organic farm, with fining, filtration and SO2 all kept to a minimum in the winery.
Tip: Guided vineyard and winery tours run alongside drop in wine flights Tuesday to Saturday, and there is farm accommodation if you want both.
Twenty two acres at Cripps Corner farmed without chemicals since Roy Cook founded the estate in 1979, with wines the vineyard says are certified organic or biodynamic by the Biodynamic Association UK.
Tip: The Solaris at £21 and the 9.5 per cent Regent and Rondo red are the two bottles that show what organic growing does here.
The South Lanes natural wine and cocktail bar, with more than twenty natural, organic and biodynamic wines open by the glass at any one time.
Tip: Go on a Friday or Saturday, when the bar runs to midnight and the by the glass list is at its widest.
A North Laine bistro whose list is built entirely on low intervention vinification and organic growing, open into the evening Thursday to Saturday.
Tip: It is a daytime cafe until Thursday, so time a low intervention evening for the back half of the week.
Natural, organic, biodynamic and skin contact bottles on Clyde Road, sold to drink in or take away, with a keg wine tap that rotates every quarter.
Tip: Order online and collect in store if you want the natural list without the sit down: the shop side runs the same range.
Peak wine-travel season in Sussex is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Sussex rewards trust.