Wine in Lewes and the Ouse valley, Sussex

Breaky Bottom ★ 4.7

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

Plumpton Estate ★ 4.1

Vineyards and winery of Plumpton College under the Downs near Lewes, the wine division that runs degree courses, apprenticeships and short courses for the English wine trade.

Tasting: Teaching estate rather than a daily cellar door; wines and short courses are sold through the college

Plumpton College Wine Division ★ 4.9

The wine division at Plumpton runs degrees, apprenticeships and the National Wine Training Programme from a commercial winery, research winery and sensory room.

Breaky Bottom ★ 4.7

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.

Why locals love it: Six acres at the end of a chalk track in a fold of the Downs, making around 10,000 bottles a year and selling most of them by allocation.

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.