“Winelands” is the new term for the Sussex wine movement. The name alludes not only to the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs, but also to the clay and sandstone ridges of the High Weald as distinctive features of the Sussex landscape.
East and West Sussex combined have more vineyards and wine production than any single British county, accounting for 30% of UK production. Sussex is the first region within England to carry its own PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) assuring quality and production standards. While the Sussex PDO has been seen as controversial by some, the exceptional talent and craftsmanship behind Sussex winemaking is undeniable.
The life of Breaky Bottom wine pioneer, Peter Hall, will be celebrated at a special event at Winelands
With pioneer producers such as Bolney, Breaky Bottom, Nyetimber, Ridgeview and Wiston, and being the home of Plumpton College which features the country's leading wine training and facilities, Sussex is arguably the cradle of UK wine. The patchwork of producers in Sussex spills into Kent, Surrey, and Hampshire, all of whom have an equal claim to wine quality, and their own collectives such as the Wine Garden, Surrey Hills, and Vineyards of Hampshire. Sussex Winelands is not about claiming dominance over its creditable neighbours but a celebration of the contribution that Sussex has made to the English Wine movement.
Sussex was partitioned only for the administrative convenience of local government. Lewes is an ancient town at the epicentre of Sussex, equidistant between Chichester and Rye. It is therefore uniquely positioned to draw vinous inspiration across the whole of Sussex. Hence, in 2025, a group of locals established Winelands Lewes to showcase the county’s world-class sparkling and still wines, and increase awareness of the exciting wine production happening across the county.
Meanwhile, in the Rother Valley District, a group of six producers garnered support from their soon-to-disappear District Council to develop high-quality branding and signage for a local wine route trail launched this month called Rother Valley Triangle. The branding assets are available for use by all vineyard clusters in Sussex.
The main event of the Winelands Festival is a ‘Grand Tasting’ on Saturday, June 13 at All Saints Centre in the centre of Lewes, which the Town Mayor will officially open at 12 noon. Eighteen producers will be showing their wines. And this year there are also a couple of masterclasses at Symposium Wine Emporium;
Chris Foss (founder of Plumpton College Wine Dept and WineGB’s sustainability scheme) will chair a panel including: Rathfinny co-owners (Sarah and Mark Driver) who will explain how B-Corp status impacts their wines; Art Tukker from Tinwood near Chichester (one of the few financial success stories); and Mike Best MW of Boutinot (owners of Henners in Herstmonceux).
The other masterclass will feature limited availability library stock wines from three venerable estates: Wiston, Breaky Bottom, and Nutbourne, showing how English wine has great ageing potential.
Lovers of gourmet dining experiences are in for a treat on Wednesday, June 10 when Lewes restaurant Squisito will host an exceptional evening of food and wine pairing in collaboration with English winemaker extraordinaire, Dermot Sugrue of Sugrue South Downs. Sugrue will be showcasing some of his most exciting wines alongside a bespoke seasonal menu and with special guest, wine columnist Victoria Moore.
Wine fraud is the subject of Sour Grapes which will have a special screening and blind tasting at Winelands
On June 11, true crime aficionados can enjoy a one-off screening at Lewes Depot of ‘Sour Grapes’, a documentary about the notorious wine fraudster, Rudy Kurniwan, who befriended rich and powerful wine collectors to sell fake wine. The film will be presented by director Jerry Rothwell, followed by a post-film blind wine tasting to spot the ‘fake wine’ led by Mike Best MW.
Sponsoring this year’s Winelands festival are law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter, real estate agency Knight Frank LLP, and accountants, tax planners and business advisors, Carpenter Box. Each one of these firms provides invaluable professional support to the growing number of Sussex wine producers. Sponsors, special guests, and supporters of the festival will attend a launch event on Monday June 8 at Fitzroy House in Lewes.
Given the sell-out success of the Winelands Festival last year, the organisers expect many of the ticketed events to be fully booked again.
This year’s programme of events offers wine lovers and members of the trade a fantastic opportunity to meet local wine producers and taste some older vintage alongside more recent releases. This June, we’re excited to be championing our stellar winegrowers and bringing their wines to a new audience as well as to established supporters.
Sussex is the first English county to be awarded its own PDO © Artelium
Sussex producers at the Grand Tasting and masterclasses:
Albourne, Breaky Bottom, Dillions, Henners of Herstmonceux, Kingscote, Mountfield, Mousehall, Nutbourne, Oastbrook, Oxney Organic, Rathfinny, Rowfant, Stopham, Sugrue South Downs, Tinwood, Wildwood Vineyard, Winklestone Vineyard, Wiston
Winelands takes place in Lewes June 8-13.
For more information contact Cheers@winelands.co.uk
