News

Sussex wine trail highlights producers

31 May 2024 By James Evison

Twelve Sussex vineyards are joining forces with the local council to bring awareness of wine production to both local citizens and tourists.

The Wealden District Council initiative, which is delivered through the Explore Wealden Wine Trail, will see visitors offered wine tastings and picnics, vineyard tours, nature trails and special events.

Residents will be encouraged to find out more about the local viticulture and discover the production of the sparkling and still wines that are being created on their doorstep.

It includes both larger and smaller estates from Rathfinny in Alfriston, which is hosting a series of ‘Dine in the Vine’ gourmet experiences and a pop-up seafood kitchen, to the rustic Wildwood in Eridge, which is off-grid and offering trips on a heritage steam train.

Other vineyards taking part include Tickerage in Blackboys near Uckfield, which is offering small-scale tours, Hidden Spring in Horam, which is doing tutored tastings, and Beacon Down near Heathfield, which is also providing tours and picnic opportunities.

Walks

There are also self-guided walks, including at the Bluebell Vineyard Estate, and a trail at Downsview on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, which is also doing Friday and Saturday pizza nights. All the vineyards on the trail offer food choices, enabling visitors to indulge in local Sussex charcuterie, artisanal cheeses, and homemade cakes.

Cyclists are also welcomed, including at the Off The Line vineyard, which is open on selected weekends over the summer, and also Henners Vineyard near Pevensey Marshes, which offers sea views.

A ‘wellbeing in the wild’ initiative has also been set up at The Secret Vineyard in Herstmonceux, with yoga, pilates, tai chi, and wid lake swimming.

Learning

Importantly, vineyards will provide visitors with the opportunity to explore the science, and art, of winemaking, as well as opportunities to meet winemakers and vineyard owners.

Speaking about the news, a council spokesperson said it was hoping the event would “highlight our great wines as well as the potential of wine tourism”.

The spokesperson said: “Visiting a vineyard is a wonderful way to discover the natural landscape on our doorstep, supporting local businesses that contribute significantly to our rural economy whilst revisiting or perhaps discovering some great English wines.”

PDO

It follows the news in 2022 that Sussex sparkling had been given Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, which identifies that products are produced, processed and prepared in a specific geographic area, using local producers and ingredients from the region.

The news meant that local wine producers such as Rathfinny, Artelium, Bolney, Nyetimber and Busi Jacobsohn would have the right to bear the Sussex Sparkling Wine PDO on their bottles.

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