Sussex & Hampshire Wineries

Monday 4 June

Guests will be collected from The Corinthia Hotel in London and be transferred by executive coach to Ockenden Manor, a charming and tranquil Elizabethan Manor House tucked away in Cuckfield, one of the prettiest Tudor villages in England. Steeped in history and character, with an elegant sitting room warmed by a roaring log fire and a cosy, wood-panelled bar, the Manor will be the perfect base to relax in the evenings.

On arrival there will be an introductory tasting of English Wines hosted by Julia Trustram Eve.  In the evening we will dine at the terrific restaurant, led by Stephen Crane, the Manor's award-winning head chef.

Tuesday 5 June

Today, we will visit Parham House at Storrington, one of the finest Elizabethan Manor Houses in the UK. In February 2017 it celebrated 440 years since the foundation stone of the present house was laid.  This private visit will give IWFS members a unique insight into a historic house and estate and its management in the 21st century.

The visit will include lunch, a tour of the house with one of Parham’s senior guides, and a tour of the gardens with the Head Gardener. There will also be an opportunity to taste wines from the Stopham and Nyetimber estates.   Lady Emma Barnard, the present owner of Parham, has kindly agreed to be on hand to talk about her family’s involvement with the house.

Guests should note that wheelchair access is not available above the ground floor and that the house tour involves many steps.

Wednesday 6 June

After breakfast this morning we will visit Ridgeview vineyard. Ridgeview is a family company, established in 1994, producing sparkling wine from traditional Champagne varieties and methods. In 2010, Ridgeview caught global attention when they received the trophy for the best sparkling wine in the Decanter Awards; the first time this has ever been awarded outside Champagne. Ridgeview’s sparkling wines have become a global success and are exported to over a dozen countries around the globe.

For lunch, we visit Bolney Wine Estate. It was established in 1972 and has been making top award-winning wines ever since.  The vineyards are predominantly Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, together with a few other varieties that have proved extremely successful over the years.

In the afternoon we enjoy a visit and tasting at Court Garden. This award-winning single-estate vineyard and winery is set on a beautiful south-facing slope that offers beautiful views of the South Downs. It is family-run, and produces excellent sparkling wines across the gamut, including vintage white and rosé, blanc de blanc and blanc de noirs.

Thursday 7 June

After an early start this morning, our destination will be Hambledon Vineyard, in Hampshire’s Meon Valley.  It was established in 1952 and is England's oldest commercial vineyard.   It was replanted in 2004 with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vines in order to prove the terroir for quality sparkling wine production.

 Lunch will be at East Meon Vineyard. George and Clare Bartlett planted one acre of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 2006 in the vineyard adjacent to their beautiful home in the picturesque village of East Meon. Part of the house includes a medieval court house dating from 1395 and it is in here that we will taste their sparkling wine, which won a Bronze medal at the Decanter 2013 awards.

In the afternoon we will visit Exton Park Vineyard near the lovely village of Corhampton. A relatively new vineyard, Exton Park is set on the slopes of the wide rolling chalklands at the heart of Hampshire. Exton is one of the largest in the country, with 55 acres on terroir that precisely mirrors the famous Champagne vineyards just eighty miles away across the Channel, with a similar cool, northerly climate.

Friday 8 June

Return by executive coach to London.

Monday 4 – Friday 8 June

This wine tour of Sussex and Hampshire in the South of England will offer a quintessentially British experience, with tastings at some of the best English wine producers, accommodation in a beautiful manor in the heart of the South Downs and fine dining at wonderful restaurants.  The tour will be led by Julia Trustram Eve, one of the foremost experts on English Wine, and a Director of the English Wine Producers’ Association. 

The Tour includes:

• 4 nights at Ockenden Manor House hotel, including breakfast and taxes
• return transfers from central London, and executive coach travel throughout
• all visits, lunches and tastings as per the itinerary, plus dinner each evening
• a personalised tasting booklet, with maps and information on the region

Price: GBP 2,160 per person 
Single supplement GBP 305