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The Sussex home of celebrated English sparkling wine. Bolney Wine Estate is a working vineyard and visitor attraction in the West Sussex countryside. We’re best known for our English sparkling wine — and famous for proving England can make remarkable reds too. Come for a tour, stay for a tasting, and take home a bottle of Sussex.
Book a Tour & Tasting
Plan Your Visit
Contents
- What is Bolney Wine Estate?
- Who owns Bolney Wine Estate?
- What can you do at Bolney?
- Where is Bolney Wine Estate?
- Discover more about Bolney
- Frequently asked questions
1. What is Bolney Wine Estate?
Bolney is one of England’s longest-established vineyards — a family-founded estate where our still and sparkling wines are grown, pressed and bottled on site. From the classic Bolney Bubbly to our Blanc de Blancs, sparkling is what we’re known for; our Pinot Noir built our reputation as pioneers of English red wine.
What makes Bolney different is that we’re built for visitors. Many wine producers keep their gates closed; ours are open all year round. The 18-acre visitor vineyard sits at the heart of the estate, with the winery, restaurant, café and shop arranged around it — so whether you’re here for a guided tour or just a coffee with a view, you’re never more than a few steps from the vines.
Did you know?
Sussex is fast becoming one of the world’s most exciting sparkling wine regions — and Bolney has been here since the very beginning, planting vines decades before English sparkling wine started turning heads around the world.
2. Who owns Bolney Wine Estate?
Bolney was founded by the Pratt family in 1972, decades before English wine had a name for itself, and it remains proudly rooted in Sussex soil. That family heritage still shapes everything we do — from the way the vines are tended by hand through the seasons to the warm welcome you’ll get when you arrive.
Want the full story of how a few experimental vines became one of England’s pioneering wine estates? Explore our history →
3. What can you do at Bolney?
A visit to Bolney can be as simple as a glass of wine on the terrace or as full as a day-long experience. Here’s how most guests spend their time:
Tour and taste
Walk the vines with an expert guide and see how English wine is really made — from bud burst in spring to pressing at harvest. Every tour finishes with a tutored tasting of our sparkling and still wines, and selected experiences add locally sourced food pairings, from Sussex cheeses to full wine-matched menus. Tours run daily and last from 90 minutes to 3 hours, so there’s an option whether you’re a curious beginner or a committed wine lover.
Book a seasonal event or workshop
The estate calendar changes with the seasons: supper clubs and tasting evenings through the colder months, live music and al fresco dining in summer, festive celebrations at the end of the year. Hands-on workshops go deeper into wine tasting and winemaking with our team — a favourite for gifts and special occasions.
Eat and drink with a view
The Eighteen Acre Restaurant serves seasonal dishes built around local ingredients and paired with estate wines, with views straight down the vines — booking a table is recommended, especially at weekends. For something more relaxed, the Café & Wine Bar does everything from morning coffee and brunch to homemade cakes and a glass of Bubbly on the terrace — walk-ins welcome.
Shop the cellar door
The on-site shop stocks the full Bolney range alongside hampers, deli items and locally sourced gifts — including wines and seasonal specials you won’t always find elsewhere. It’s the best-stocked Bolney shelf anywhere, and the team can help you choose.
For opening hours, menus, the estate map and directions, head to Plan Your Visit — or browse What’s On for upcoming events.
4. Where is Bolney Wine Estate?
You’ll find us in the village of Bolney, West Sussex, where the Low Weald meets the edge of the South Downs — countryside that’s been quietly proving itself as some of England’s best wine-growing land. We’re an easy trip from almost anywhere in the South East: 20 minutes from Brighton, 25 from Gatwick, and under an hour from London, with free parking on site. Full directions, parking and travel options are on our Plan Your Visit page.
5. Discover more about Bolney
- Tours & Tastings — find the right experience for you
- What’s On — seasonal events, workshops and supper clubs
- Our History — 50 years of Sussex winemaking
- Our Wines — shop English sparkling, whites, rosé and our famous reds
- Eat & Drink — restaurant, café and wine bar
- Private & Corporate Events — celebrate among the vines
- Sustainability — caring for our corner of Sussex
- Careers, Press & Trade — work with us
6. Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bolney Wine Estate known for?
English sparkling wine above all — and a famous reputation for red wine, rare among English vineyards.
Is Bolney a real working vineyard?
Yes — every Bolney wine starts as a grape grown on our Sussex estate. Visit during harvest (September–October) to see the winery in full swing.
Can you do more than wine tasting at Bolney?
There’s plenty to do at Bolney. Try seasonal events, wine workshops, supper clubs, dining and shopping. See What’s On for the current calendar.
Do I need to book ahead?
Tours, tastings and events sell out, so book online. The café, restaurant, and shop welcome walk-ins, though booking a table is recommended for the Eighteen Acre Restaurant.
Book Your Vineyard Experience
Walk through the vineyard, meet the winemakers, and taste our celebrated sparkling and still wines — tours run daily, from 90 minutes to 3 hours.
