The Independent Names Bolney Among The UK’s Best Orange Wines

Our orange wine was picked for The Independent’s round-up of the best orange wines from around the world. The list covered bottles from England, Austria, South Africa and Greece, and we were proud to be the English entry alongside them.

We make two orange wines here at the estate, both from our Schönburger grapes. Here’s what The Independent made of one of them, plus a bit more on how we make both.

How Did The Independent Rate Bolney’s Orange Wine?

The Independent gave our Winemaker’s Edition Orange Vol. 2 4 out of 5 stars in “14 Best Orange Wines Worth Trying in 2026, Tested by a Drinks Writer”, and named it their pick for “best chalky terroir orange wine”.

The review noted that our chalky soils in West Sussex are the same type found in Champagne, linking that to our history as one of the UK’s oldest commercial vineyards. On taste, the reviewer described a deep amber colour, with a savoury, complex character carrying notes of melon and honeysuckle. They also noted a nutty, creamy texture and suggested it pairs well with bold, spiced food such as Indian dal or Thai noodle dishes.

Jargon explained: terroir

Terroir means the natural environment a wine comes from, mainly its soil and climate. It’s used to explain why grapes grown in different places taste different, even if they’re the same variety.

The feature sat alongside orange wines from small producers across Europe and further afield, showing how far this style has travelled from its origins in a handful of wine regions to bottle shops and wine lists across the UK.

Our Two Orange Wines

Both wines are made from Schönburger, an aromatic grape variety we grow on the estate. We use it because it holds up well to skin contact, keeping its acidity while picking up colour and body from the skins.

Winemaker’s Edition Orange Vol. 1

Vol. 1 leans into lychee, rose petals and a grapey character similar to Muscat, with aromas of blossom and ripe summer fruit. It has balanced acidity and a dry finish. We’d pour it alongside seared scallops, Scotch eggs, or spaghetti with garlic, oil and dried chillies.

Winemaker’s Edition Orange Vol. 2

Vol. 2, the wine in the feature, is richer, with honeyed jasmine, cantaloupe melon and toasted walnut. Skin contact gives it a gentle tannic structure, and our cool English climate keeps the acidity fresh. We bottle it unfiltered, so it keeps developing as it sits in the glass. It pairs well with roasted red pepper linguine, salmon ceviche with avocado, or saffron chicken.

How We Make Our Orange Wine

Most white wine is pressed and separated from its skins almost straight away. For our orange wines, we leave the juice in contact with the Schönburger skins after pressing, the way red wine is usually made. That contact is what gives the wine its deeper colour, along with more tannin and body than a typical white.

Jargon explained: skin contact

Skin contact means leaving grape skins in with the juice during fermentation. It adds colour, tannin and flavour, and it’s the step that turns a white wine orange.

If you’d like to read more on the grape and the style, we’ve written about both on the blog. Our guide to Schönburger and orange wine covers the grape itself, and our guide to the grapes grown in the UK puts Schönburger alongside the other varieties we grow. For the wider picture on English white wine, our white wine guide is a good place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bolney’s orange wine taste like?

It depends on the vintage. Vol. 1 is lighter, with lychee and rose petal notes. Vol. 2 is richer, with honeyed jasmine, melon, and toasted walnut, and has a nutty, creamy edge, along with a 4 out of 5-star rating from The Independent.

What grape is Bolney’s orange wine made from?

Both editions are made from Schönburger, an aromatic grape variety grown on the estate.

Is orange wine the same as rosé?

No. Rosé is made from red grapes with a short amount of skin contact. Orange wine is made from white grapes with longer skin contact, which is why the two end up such different colours.

Where can I try or buy Bolney’s orange wine?

You can buy Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 from our online shop, or try them as part of a guided tasting at the estate.

Sources

• The Independent, “14 Best Orange Wines Worth Trying in 2026, Tested by a Drinks Writer” — rating, review and tasting notes for our Vol. 2
• Wine & Spirit Education Trust — background on orange and skin-contact wine