18 editor-picked estates growing Chardonnay in Sussex.
Where to taste Chardonnay in Sussex: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.
Traditional method sparkling producer at West Chiltington working with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Visitors come on pre booked open days rather than to a daily cellar door.
Tasting: Pre booked Open Day tours with a tasting of the sparkling range; no daily walk in cellar door
Chalk slope estate below the South Downs at Washington, making traditional method sparkling from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with a restaurant, shop and daily tours.
Tasting: Tours and tastings Tuesday to Sunday at 11am and 2.30pm, with the Chalk restaurant and the North Farm shop
Cuckmere valley estate founded in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, with a daily cellar door, a restaurant and pre booked tours of the winery above Alfriston.
Tasting: Cellar Door shop open daily for tastings and sales, with pre booked estate tours and a restaurant
Second generation family estate on Ditchling Common making classic method sparkling from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier since 1995, with drop in tastings and a restaurant.
Tasting: Open 11am to 4pm Thursday to Monday for drop in tastings and sales, with tours bookable all year
Former salad farm at Halnaker converted to vines by Art Tucker from 2007, making sparkling wine from the three Champagne varieties, with tours and vineyard lodges.
Tasting: Vineyard tours with tastings, afternoon tea tours and private tours, plus lodges on the vineyard
Family owned vineyard and winery eight miles from Brighton, established in 2010, pouring Bacchus, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a tasting room that looks towards the Downs.
Tasting: Tasting room open 11am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday from April to October, with small group tours and cheese boards
Family owned vineyard off Vowels Lane near East Grinstead, open seven days a week, with a Tithe Barn wine shop and cafe, a wine garden and bookable tours.
Tasting: Open 10am to 5pm seven days a week for the Tithe Barn wine shop and cafe, with bookable tours and tastings
Vineyard planted in 1974 in a fold of the Downs above Rodmell, reached by a chalk track, bottling Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay cuvees. Cellar door collection is by appointment.
Tasting: Cellar door sales by appointment only; tours and tastings are not currently offered
Certified organic single estate vineyard on a farm near Rye, blending Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay for its sparkling wines, with tours, flights and farm accommodation.
Tasting: Guided vineyard and winery tours with tastings, plus drop in wine flights Tuesday to Saturday
Cellar door at the Alfriston estate, with a free drop-in tasting bar, a 45-minute six-wine flight at GBP 22, and the Seven Sisters spirits range alongside the Sussex sparkling.
Tasting space at the Washington winery below Chanctonbury Ring, pouring the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sparkling range after a tour of the press house.
Tasting room and Vineyard Kitchen next door to Goodwood, pouring Tinwood Brut, Blanc de Blancs and Rose with food pairings and a daily vineyard tour.
Tasting room on the Albourne farm north of Brighton, built around Bacchus, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with vineyard tours and pop-up dining through the season.
Organic estate tasting room outside Rye, open Tuesday to Saturday for guided tastings or a drop-in flight with a cheese and charcuterie board.
Tithe barn shop and tasting room at Mill Place Farm near East Grinstead, open daily, with Bacchus, Chardonnay and Solaris poured in the wine garden.
A youthful still Chardonnay at 11 per cent, 95 per cent Chardonnay with only a light oak touch, green apple and lemon zest on the nose and a distinct mineral edge.
Tip: Cool climate Chardonnay at this price is rare in England. Serve it colder than you think, around 8 degrees, with Selsey crab.
Still Chardonnay from the East Grinstead vines, listed at £19 a bottle, the lowest price on the estate's current list and a Weald counterpoint to the chalk Chardonnays.
Tip: Buy it with a cafe table at the Tithe Barn and drink it there: corkage is not charged on the estate's own wine.
Still Chardonnay from the vines at Streat below the northern edge of the Downs, £25 from the estate shop and pourable by the glass on the terrace Thursday to Sunday.
Tip: Taste it against the Pinot Gris and the Rose, all three at the same £25, before you commit to a case.