English Wine Week in Sussex: 21-29 June 2025
- Nick Mosley
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Wine lovers rejoice because for the next nine days corks will be popping at vineyards across Sussex for English Wine Week, writes Nick Mosley.
From Saturday 21 - Sunday 29 June, you can enjoy one-off themed events, vineyard tours, tutored tastings, food pairings and much more so you can experience everything Sussex – and wider English – wine has to offer.
The wine industry has expanded rapidly across the UK over the past decade or so with around 1000 commercial vineyards across the country and 140 or thereabouts in Sussex alone. That’s pretty exponential growth for an industry that barely even existed 30-40 years ago.
There are multiple reasons for the rise of English wine, particularly sparkling. In Sussex, we sit on the South Downs – the same chalk bedrock as our neighbours in the famous Champagne region in France. Unsurprisingly the classic Champagne grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – thrive on shallow chalky soils so when matched with the climate and aspect of the Downs, its a match made in heaven (or rather Sussex!). Meanwhile The Weald has a somewhat different soil structure – clay and sandstone – that particularly lends itself to still wines. In fact over 90 different varieties of grapes are grown in the UK.
With wine tourism the buzz word on the industry’s lips, most vineyards already offer cellar door tastings and regular tours but they’ll be pulling the stops out this coming week to showcase what they have to offer. Everything you need to know about English Wine Week is on the Wine GB website: winegb.co.uk/events/
Winelands
You can sample wines from over a dozen producers from Sussex and Kent at Charleston near Lewes on Saturday 28 June. Tickets for this event are free but you need to register online in advance. There are also plenty of other events in around and Lewes during English Wine Week to be found on the website.
Artelium
From Thursday 26 - Sunday 29 June, Artelium estate alongside Ditchling Common will be hosting complimentary cellar door wine tastings. Explore the vineyard – including sculptures that are spread across the estate –, meet the winemakers and enjoy tasters of three of their signature wines. www.artelium.com
Bolney Wine Estate
Bolney is undoubtably one of the best vineyards and wineries to visit in Sussex as they were at the fore of wine tourism before it was even a thing in the UK. Pretty much every day of the year there is something going on whether vineyard tours, tutored tastings, one-off events or even yoga amongst the vines. To kick start English Wine Week on Friday 20 June, guest chef Kenny Tutt partners with Bolney’s head chef Jack March for a one-off menu of seasonal and local produce much of which sourced from the estate’s own kitchen garden.
Stopham Estate
Planted back in 2007, Stopham particularly prides itself on the quality of its still white wines including Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Bacchus. Located outside of Pulborough, the estate offers tours and tastings every Saturday at 11am and 2pm with an optional pub lunch as part of the package.
Roebuck Estates
Roebuck has several vineyards in West Sussex but they call Upperton Farm at Tillington just outside of Petworth home. And what a spectacular place it is with one of the most stunning views of the South Downs that can be enjoyed from their tipi at the head of the vineyard. There’s always plenty going on but notable events during English Wine Week are Jazz in the Vines with snacks on the afternoon of Saturday 21 June at Upperton Farm and an ecology tour at their Little Brockhurst Vineyard at Lurgashall on Friday 27 June.
Rathfinny Estate
Overlooking the Cuckmere valley, Rathfinny is one of the largest – and most beautiful – wine estates in the UK. With three dining options – the Michelin recommended Tasting Room, gastropub style Flint Barns and informal The Hut wine and snack bar – you won’t be short of gourmet options to choose from. During English Wine Week from Monday 23 - Thursday 26 June you can enjoy a tour of the vines and winery followed by a tasting of four of Rathfinny’s Sussex sparkling wines paired with local cheeses from the High Weald Dairy.
Wiston Estate
Located in Washington to the north of Worthing, Wiston offers tours and tastings across the year but for English Wine Week there are a number of events at their Chalk restaurant; Friday 26 June sees fish and chips paired with the newly released 2020 cuvée – and, yes, the light acidity of sparkling wine is the perfect partner for fried fish!
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Exploring English Wine Week in Sussex sounds like the perfect summer plan—great views, local flavors, and good vibes all around. And honestly, the Marlboro Cancun Jacket would be the ideal layer for those breezy vineyard strolls. Stylish, lightweight, and effortlessly cool—just like a glass of Sussex rosé!