Sussex Wine

Excellent Sussex wine is produced within a mile or two of our home in the village of Ditchling. The climate and soil in this part of the Sussex South Downs are both exceptionally well-suited to the cultivation of grapes. We have our own grape vine - Vitis vinifera 'Brandt' - in our garden and each summer it produces a wonderful crop of delicious red grapes which we eat straight from the vine.

For a treat, friends sometimes bring a wonderful bottle (or two) of the local Ridgeview Estate wine when they come to supper.

Slightly closer to the foot of the South Downs is the Plumpton Agricultural College vineyard. Originally belonging to the old Ditchling Vineyards, this is a highly productive and successful vineyard. In fact, the owner of RidgeView actually studied viticulture at Plumpton College prior to starting his business in the 1990s.

Recently, 'The Dean of Plumpton College', which has been described as 'pale and perfectly formed', has won a top accolade.This is the name of a Plumpton Estate non-vintage sparkling wine which, in March 2008 beat three champagnes, 67 other UK sparkling wines and a Californian Napa Valley sparkling wine. Made from the same grape varieties that are used in the Champagne region of France: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this Plumpton wine is described as 'pale, lemon-gold with fine persistent bubbles'.

Find out about courses in viticulture at Plumpton Agricultural College


Breaky Bottom Wine
Breaky Bottom was established in 1974 and lies in a fold in the South Downs, about 5 miles from Lewes in East Sussex. Visits are by appointment and can usually be made at short notice. Driving south from the town of Lewes, on the road to Rodmell, you will pass the villages of Kingston, Swanborough and Iford. After Iford (but before Rodmell) look for a right turn off the road into Northease Farm. Breaky Bottom is situated 1.25 miles over the hill, following the farm track!
Please phone 01273 476427 to arrange your visit and free wine tasting.

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