A Relaxing Afternoon at Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex

Location: Sussex
Overall: 5/5
Perfect for: Wine Tasting, Day Trip from London, Weekend Away Activity

Covid-19 Safety Measures:

Social Distancing in place
Masks worn by staff and guests in-doors
Outdoor seating available
Hand sanitiser available
Contact tracing forms and NHS test and trace in place

Having spent the Summer researching and sampling fabulous English Wine for English Wine Week, I couldn’t wait to head down to one of the oldest vineyards in England and sample their wines at the source!

Located in beautiful Sussex, Bolney Wine Estate was established five decades ago and they are still true to their commitment of producing superior luxurious English wines. This award-winning wine estate produces a range of still and sparkling wine from Pinot Noir to classic English sparkling wine.

Location:

Bolney Wine Estate is located approximately 1 hour drive from central London and is also accessible by train with the closest mainline train stations being Haywards Heath or Burgess Hill which are both about 15 minutes by taxi.

This proximity to London makes it ideally suited for a relaxing afternoon away from the city, or alternatively there are many hotels and holiday lets, including my favourite The Piggery at John Bull’s House, which means you could stay for a weekend break too.

There are plenty of parking places for those who decide to drive.

Activities:

During my afternoon at Bolney Wine Estate, we took a tour of the stunning vineyards which showcased the eight varieties of grapes grown on the estate which was fantastic to see. As we visited during the wine harvesting season, we were able to see the state-of-the-art winery and some of the processes that take place to turn the 235 tonnes of grapes into about 190,000 bottles!

We then sampled a wine flight in Bolney Wine Estate’s The Eighteen Acre cafe, where we were able to try some of their best wines chosen for us by the staff. I love the Cuvee Rose in particular as it pairs well with a light lunch and the Estate Pinot Noir is also a beautifully well-balanced wine which is very easy to enjoy.

Bolney Wine Estate now also offers a virtual private wine tasting experience where you can enjoy the same experience from home with your family.

There is also a well-stocked Vineyard Shop on the Estate where you can buy the full range of Bolney’s wines as well as a range of produce to go alongside it, including condiments, chocolate, gin and even luxury toiletries!

Lunch:

After our lovely wine tour and wine flight we settled down in The Eighteen Acre Cafe & Restaurant to sample some of the food they had on offer. We decided to sit outside on the balcony which has breath-taking views of the vineyard to admire and enjoy whilst perusing the menu.

The Eighteen Acre have a variety of plates that can be eaten on a sharing basis and we ordered a few dishes to try. Their seasonal menu is updated regularly and uses local sourced ingredients. We tried their crispy fried calamari, delicious arancini balls, burrata salad, and a fabulous cheese board which paired perfectly with the wine.

We also enjoyed their fantastic desserts including a scrumptious sticky toffee pudding and chocolate nemesis, which consisted of a delicious slice of brownie-style chocolate cake with creme fraîche and winter berries. Add to this some delicious coffee to make the perfect way to end our visit.

The Eighteen Acre Cafe & Restaurant is also open for breakfast and afternoon tea too.

Overall:

At a time where we all need an escape from the city, but somewhere which isn’t too far away due to all the restrictions, Bolney Wine Estate provides a great option. Whether it’s just to enjoy a relaxing lunch with beautiful vineyard views, or to sample some of their experiences such as the Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting too, Bolney Wine Estate provides the perfect place for a well-earned break.

Find out more about visiting Bolney Wine Estate and book your activities.
Address: Bolney Wine Estate, Foxhole Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5NB
Phone: 01444 881 575