In the heart of rural Sussex lives Bolney Wine Estate, one of England’s longest established vineyards. The Estate, located in the village of Bolney, is situated on a hill which was part of the Butting Hill One Hundred. In 1972 the estate was founded by Rodney & Janet Pratt, with just 3 acres of vines & a single grape variety. From our humble beginnings, the vineyard has expanded to 39 acres with over 8 varieties grown on site, including Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, as well as state-of-the-art winery & disgorging room. In the 1990s Samantha Linter (daughter of the founders) took charge of the winemaking & since then they have won numerous international awards for both out still & sparkling wines. Today three generations of the family are involved in the business. For those wanting to visit, there is plenty to do. Whether you want to explore the vineyards, discover more about winemaking in Engl&, get involved in a wine tasting or enjoy lunch on our stunning viewing balcony overlooking the vines
- there is something for everyone! This 1½ hour tasting experience is a chance for anyone with an interest in wine to learn everything they could possibly want to know about the process. From finding the perfect spot in which to plant the vines & choosing the grape types to making the wine itself, this tour is a chance to find out exactly what goes into a bottle of wine, whether that’s red, white, rose or sparkling. England may not yet be a country that’s automatically associated with wine production, but vineyards such as the Bolney Estate are working very hard to change that, & this tour will provide some insight into how the wine industry in this country has taken off recently. Visitors can enjoy walking among the vines themselves in their Eighteen Acre field, find out what the inside of a cutting-edge winery looks like & get the chance to ask any questions they may have about wine & it’s production. Then there’s a chance to taste three award winning wines with an expert on hand to talk through the flavours & how they have created the blends that have earned the admiration of critics the world over. There is an on-site café which serves cake & coffee for anyone who wants to stay & enjoy the atmosphere for a little longer & guests will have the chance to buy any of the wines that they have developed a taste for on the day.