Vine times: grand plans for wine tourism in Sussex
28.07.2023 - 15:35
/ theguardian.com
It has the same chalky soil as the Champagne region and its wine has the same protected status – and often beats French fizz in blind tastings. Now Sussex has launched a plan to attract many more visitors to its 138 vineyards, aiming to increase the value of wine tourism from £25m today to £283m by 2040.
Sussex has 888 hectares of vineyards, or 25.5% of the British land under vine, second only to Kent at 29.6%. But according to the authors of the growth plan – the tourism development agency Sussex Modern and the Sussex Visitor Economy Initiative – there are 40,000 hectares of land suitable for grapes available, giving the county enormous growth potential.
It is not just about increasing the number or size of the vineyards, however. The plan, which was launched in parliament on 14 June, also aims to expand the number of vineyards that are open to the public. Currently just over a quarter have cellar door sales, tours and tastings, restaurants, accommodation or wedding licences.
Other development projects include a new Sussex wine festival; guided and self-guided wine tours of the region; a network of cycling and walking routes connecting vineyards; and one- to three-day itineraries centred around wine, food, art and landscape.
“Wine is an outstanding success story for Sussex. In the last few years, it has emerged as a world-class region for wine-producing and wine tourism,” says Nathaniel Hepburn, the chair of Sussex Modern. “Pairing vineyard tours and visits with other destinations and activities is a sure-fire way of making the most of what Sussex has to offer.”
In the meantime, here are six of the best Sussex vineyards that are already welcoming visitors.
Ridgeview near Burgess Hill was established in 1995. Its Rows & Vine restaurant opened last autumn: a series of covered pavilions around a central bar with a raised, open-air terrace overlooking the vineyard and woodland, and gardens designed by Andy Sturgeon. It serves seasonal small plates and wine by the glass, bottle or flight; there are aperitivo nights on Fridays and roasts – served with sparkling red wine – on Sundays. The winery also hosts a music festival, Ridgefest, in August. The shop is open daily and tours start from £20 for a vineyard walk and tasting. Burgess Hill railway station is a 40-minute walk away.
Also near Burgess Hill, Artelium brings together wine, art and nature. There are tours on Saturdays, tastings from Thursday to Sunday, and regular events such as tai chi among the vines and pizza nights. It has commissioned artworks for its wine bottles and the walls of the winery, and sculptures for the grounds. It also holds regular exhibitions – the summer exhibition focuses on the sculptor John Skelton (until 5 August) – and a