Welcome to
Sussex wine & vineyards.
Explore one of the world’s most exciting wine regions
Find great wine, community & the beauty of Sussex
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of southern England, Sussex is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the most exciting wine regions in the world. With it’s rich history, unique terroir, climate and innovative winemakers, Sussex hosts over 140 vineyards both large and small, knitting together communities and developing wine making excellence across the wider region.
What makes Sussex so special for wine making?
Sussex boasts unique advantages that make it an exceptional wine-producing region. One of the key factors is the shared chalk plains with the French Champagne region, contributing significantly to the production of Sussex’s award-winning wines. This chalky subsoil is essential for excellent drainage and imparts a distinctive character to the wines, enhancing their quality and complexity.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sussex vineyards have been granted PDO status, safeguarding them from misuse and imitation
“One of the key factors is the shared chalk plains with the French champagne region, contributing significantly to the production of Sussex’s award-winning wines”
Moreover, Sussex enjoys more sunshine than nearly anywhere else in the UK, coupled with an ideal amount of annual rainfall. These favorable conditions allow Sussex vineyards to thrive, leading to an increasing number of new plantations each year.
Climate change & The UK wine industry
As temperatures are projected to rise in the coming years, Sussex is perfectly positioned to excel in producing a diverse range of wines, including both red and white varieties. This combination of ideal terroir, climate, and forward-looking winemaking practices makes Sussex wine truly special and a region to watch on the global wine stage.
The English wine industry generally has seen remarkable expansion, with the vineyard area in the UK quadrupling since 2000 to over 8,750 acres. Sussex vineyards contribute significantly to this growth, accounting for over a quarter of all wine produced in the UK. The registration of ‘Sussex’ as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for wine aligns Sussex with prestigious wine regions like Burgundy, Champagne, Rioja, and Tuscany.
For a wine to be labeled as ‘Sussex,’ it must undergo rigorous testing.
An independent tasting panel conducts a thorough analytical and qualitative evaluation to ensure the wine meets the highest standards. Sussex sparkling wines, for example, must be aged in the bottle for at least 15 months before release and are judged on their clarity, aroma, taste, and bubble characteristics..
Only winemakers based in East and West Sussex who meet stringent quality standards can use the ‘Sussex’ label.
The county’s growing reputation for producing top-quality wines means that Sussex sparkling wines now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with top-quality Champagne.