Outdoor dining among the South Downs vines
The South Downs Cellar Route

England's finest
wine country
on your doorstep.

From the chalk slopes of West Sussex to the rolling Downs — guided tours through five of England's most celebrated vineyards, with door-to-door transport from across Sussex.

5
Partner estates
PSV
Licensed operator
2–16
Guests per tour

Five extraordinary
Sussex estates

Presented in rotation — every estate gets its moment. No hierarchy, no favourites.

Wine tasting at a Sussex vineyard
01 / 05
West Sussex  ·  Est. 1988

Nyetimber

England's most celebrated sparkling wine house — the first to grow Champagne varieties exclusively. In 2025, their Blanc de Blancs became the first non-Champagne ever to win Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge. Open on selected days only; our tour is your surest route in.

Classic CuvéeBlanc de Blancs Rosé1086 Prestige Cuvée
Visit estate ↗
Ridgeview Wine Estate
02 / 05
East Sussex  ·  Est. 1995

Ridgeview Wine Estate

A second-generation family business at the foot of the South Downs National Park. Their wines have been poured at Buckingham Palace state banquets, served at G8 summits and at No. 10 Downing Street. No. 36 in the World's 50 Best Vineyards, and pioneers of sustainable English winemaking.

BloomsburyCavendish Fitzrovia RoséBlanc de Blancs
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Bolney Wine Estate
03 / 05
Mid Sussex  ·  Est. 1972

Bolney Wine Estate

Over 50 years of winemaking, when English wine was still a novelty. Set across 18 acres of romantic Sussex countryside, Bolney produces exceptional still and sparkling wines and welcomes visitors to their acclaimed Eighteen Acre restaurant — with its stunning balcony overlooking the vines.

Bolney BubblyPinot Noir BacchusPinot Gris
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Kinsbrook Vineyard
04 / 05
West Sussex  ·  Thakeham

Kinsbrook Vineyard

Run by Joe Beckett and Rebecca Dancer — among the youngest vineyard owners in the country. Open seven days a week with a farmhouse restaurant, farm shop and cellar door, Kinsbrook is West Sussex's most vibrant wine destination. Live music every Sunday. English wine as a way of life.

NIMBYBacchus Pinot GrisSparkling Rosé
Visit estate ↗
Albourne Estate
05 / 05
West Sussex  ·  Est. 2010

Albourne Estate

A boutique family vineyard just 8 miles from Brighton, overlooking the South Downs. Every wine is grown, produced and bottled on site. Their tasting room balcony offers one of the finest views in Sussex — pair it with a charcuterie board and a flight of their award-winning still and sparkling wines.

Pinot NoirBacchus Pinot BlancVermouth
Visit estate ↗
1 / 5

Choose your perfect day

01
Half day

The Downs Discovery

A curated afternoon at two estates — guided cellar tour, seated tasting of six wines, locally-sourced charcuterie and artisan cheeses.

Duration4–5 hours
Estates visited2 vineyards
Wines tasted6 wines
Departs fromSteyning / Brighton
£95per person
Reserve a place
02
Full day · Most popular

The Grand Cellar Route

Three iconic estates including Nyetimber, winemaker Q&A sessions, comparative tasting flights, and a fine Sussex lunch included.

Duration8–9 hours
Estates visited3 vineyards
Wines tasted12+ wines
IncludesLunch & guide
£175per person
Reserve a place
03
Private charter

Bespoke Estate Tour

Your group, your itinerary. Exclusive estate access, private tastings, cellar dinners and overnight packages — entirely tailored to your party.

DurationFlexible
Group size2–16 guests
VehicleMinibus / Coach
IncludesFull planning
POAgroup rate
Enquire now
Sussex rosé wine with charcuterie

Drink well.
Eat well.

Every tour is built around proper food and wine pairings — not a plastic cup and a cracker. Sussex produces some of England's finest charcuterie, cheese and artisan produce, and we match it carefully to what you're tasting at each estate.

Arrive relaxed.
Leave inspired.

Every tour is operated by our PSV-licensed professional drivers — the team behind 16 Seater Travel Ltd, West Sussex's trusted transport specialists. Your comfort, safety, and punctuality are our absolute priority.

🚐

Modern, licensed vehicles

Climate-controlled minibuses and coaches for 2 to 16+ guests. Fully PSV licensed.

📍

Flexible pick-up

Hotel, home or station — anywhere across Sussex and the South East.

🍾

Drink without limits

No designated driver concerns — your whole party enjoys every tasting.

Illustrated map of Sussex wine country

Our estates span West and East Sussex — from the Weald to the South Downs to the Channel coast.

The vineyard through the year

Spring at a Sussex vineyard

April — June

The vines awaken from their winter rest. Cool mornings and bright afternoons make perfect walking weather between tastings — quieter estates mean more intimate access to the winemakers.

Budbreak on the chalk slopes
Wildflower meadows in bloom between estates
Crisp Bacchus and Chardonnay at their freshest
Smaller groups, more time with the winemakers
Summer vines in Sussex

July — September

The vineyards are at their most lush. Long evenings, outdoor tastings on sun-drenched terraces, and the anticipation of harvest make summer the most popular season.

Outdoor terraces with South Downs panoramas
Vineyard picnics and alfresco wine lunches
Harvest season begins late September
Summer-release wines exclusive to the estate
Harvest time at a Sussex vineyard

October — November

Harvest transforms the estates into hives of activity. The scent of fermenting juice, copper afternoon light and the drama of picking make this the most atmospheric season.

Harvest experience — pick your own grapes
Watch the winemaking process up close
New vintage barrel tastings for enthusiasts
Dramatic autumn colour across the Downs
Winter at a Sussex estate

December — March

The dormant vineyards have a quiet, stark beauty. Log fires, intimate cellar dinners and private tastings create an entirely different but deeply memorable experience.

Exclusive cellar dinner experiences
Christmas sparkling wine — perfect gifts
Pruning demonstrations with the vineyard team
New Year private tour packages

What our guests say

★★★★★

"An absolutely flawless day. The Nyetimber visit alone was worth every penny — the driver knew every back lane and hidden vista in the Downs. We came home with six bottles and enormous smiles."

Sarah & James T. — Brighton
★★★★★

"Organised our whole team away day through Sussex Wine Tours. Fourteen of us, not a single hitch. The private Bolney tasting was extraordinary — the winemaker spent an hour explaining the harvest."

Helen M. — Corporate client, Crawley
★★★★★

"Kinsbrook's restaurant is simply wonderful, and Albourne's view over the Downs is something else. I've done wine tours in Burgundy — this holds its own beautifully."

David R. — Wine enthusiast, London

Book your Sussex journey

Fill in the form and we'll confirm within 24 hours. A 25% deposit secures your place — no payment taken online.

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