Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/9-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68915" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/9-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/9-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/9-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/9-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Picture this: slowly sipping some of the best English wines in the county while drinking in beautiful views of the vines and the South Downs. And wait, it gets even better, because nobody has to be the designated driver. (Where do we sign?) Brighton based, <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/great-british-wine-tours-brighton/">The Great British Wine Tours</a>, host tailor-made vineyard tours around Sussex and cover all your transport, which means you can choose to ride a vintage bus or steam train if you so wish. While we’re spoilt for choice with vineyards in Sussex, they are quite spread out and not that easy to get to without a car. So these tours are the answer to Muddy’s prayers!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/2-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68916" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/2-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/2-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/2-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/2-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>New for this summer are five wine-focused itineraries including The West Sussex Wine Tour (March &#8211; October). It departs from Horsham train station &#8211; an easy ride from most of Sussex as well as from London and covers three award-winning vineyards – <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/wiston-wine-estate-chalk-restaurant-west-sussex/">Wiston Estate</a>, <a href="https://www.kinsbrookvineyard.com/">Kinsbrook Vineyard</a> and <a href="https://www.nutbournevineyards.com/">Nutbourne Vineyard</a>.</p>



<p>With that, and the promise of experiencing some of the best food and drink the Horsham District has to offer, it didn’t take Muddy much (if any) convincing to take up the invite to try The West Sussex Wine Tour. &nbsp;</p>



<p>Want to see how Muddy got on? Wine, sorry why, not? Ahem.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-something-to-start"><strong>Something to start</strong></h3>



<p>Excitement levels were at peak point when the train pulled into Horsham station just before 10am, it was a breezy ride from Hove, just a quick change at Gatwick. The sun decided to descend on our day vineyard hopping, but I’m sure even in wet weather things are just as fun. Just remember to wear flats as it’s not a strenuous day &#8211; not that you’d assume it is, being that it centres around drinking wine &#8211; but you are walking around a little at the vineyards. We were warmly greeted at Horsham station by our Great British Wine Tours guide and handed our bag of goodies. One coffee ordered and it was onto the minibus we go. It’s nothing like a school trip (don’t worry), everything is relaxed and informal. Trying to exercise some self discipline I didn’t peak inside my new tote until we were on the move, there’s a map of the Sussex winelands as well as a pad and pencil for your tasting notes. After my rummage, I admired the views out the window but admit, I already felt thirsty.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-stop-wiston-estate"><strong>First stop: Wiston Estate</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/3-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68917" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/3-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/3-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/3-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/3-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s a good thing then that it wasn’t long before we arrived at our first point of call &#8211; the Wiston Estate. Never quite one to fully follow the rules, I headed straight for the beautiful shop to see what I wanted to stock up on and again, had a very warm welcome there before our introductory talk outside overlooking some inviting views. What&#8217;s unique about Wiston is learning about its heritage and the Goring family who own the land. What struck me most was the incredible females behind the estate (sure, some men too) but in 1743 it was Elizabeth&nbsp;Fagge the heiress of Wiston&nbsp;House who married her neighbour after turning down someone who only wanted to marry her for the land, and from there the estate begin to grow. But it wasn’t until 1972 that another fierce female changed the estate’s fate when South African born Pip Goring started her dream to have a vineyard which became a reality in 2006. Thank goodness for these two!&nbsp;</p>



<p>Fully inspired, it was finally wine time. With a glass of fizz we sat down to watch a short film about Wiston, the magic of wine making, passion for the land and how it all works which what I gleamed was very much a family affair with valued and happy staff. This I assume translates into happy wine as it was pretty moorish. We had a tour of the traditional wine press and the barrels where wine geeks can find out more about the technical process of wine making and learn about the labour of love into each glass of wine. More of a practical than theoretical wine drinker? Join the Muddy crew. It was off to the tasting room we went. Phew.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/4-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68918" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/4-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/4-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/4-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/4-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>‘The only good wine is the wine you like,’ was the first piece of tasting advice we received and that’s advice I’ll certainly follow. This was understandably my favourite part of this stop, we started with a Blanc de Blanc with a freshness to it, followed by a Brut Non Vintage as well as a rose. It was a tutored tasting &#8211; which means you get a full understanding of all the flavours, fizz and fun when drinking it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lunch-stop-kinsbrook-vineyard"><strong>Lunch stop: Kinsbrook Vineyard</strong></h3>



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<p>What could possibly make a wine tasting any better? I know, cheese and charcuterie. Which was exactly what our tour were met with when landing at Kinsbrook &#8211; a younger addition to the Sussex wine scene with vines starting to grow there in 2017. Lunch was under the shade and shelter of a stretch tent overlooking the vines with platters of sustainably-sourced cheese and cured meats with quiche and focaccia.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Another tutored tasting of three wines followed, the first was three grapes blended into their Kin 22, with as many as six grapes in their flagship wine. There’s something a little rebellious about this vineyard, which Muddy approves of. The young owners have tried their hands at everything from music nights, to farming to bee keeping and next up will be a small holding. Wine is just one of their many endeavours which they’re proud to show off and share. And rightly so. &nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/6-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68920" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/6-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/6-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/6-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/6-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Being young and confident, Kinsbrook offer a fresh approach to wine &#8211; they want the tastings to be about trying a more experimental process and see if you like it. While of course getting to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It’s well worth a walk around the predominantly flat land to enjoy the small lake or rather large pond and check out the bees. Muddy has already booked to return for a pizza and live music night, as the location here makes for a lovely summer evening. Again, there’s a real family feel here, you can see the passion for wine and the desire to share it with guests. There’s no pressure to buy wine, it’s all about soaking up the atmosphere and having fun. Which Muddy very much did.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-stop-nutbourne-vineyard-nbsp"><strong>Final stop: Nutbourne Vineyard&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/10-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/10-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/10-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/10-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/10-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Not that Muddy wants to have a favourite of the three vineyards, but when it comes to the setting, Nutbourne wins hands down. The vines are on gentle south facing slopes which is good for drainage but also good for framing the views of the South Downs and beyond. You’ll need to ensure your phone is charged to take lots of pics of the greenery here and before you have another tasting, as you may not be quite as steady handed as when you started the day.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Another boutique vineyard, Nutbourne is focused on low intervention wines which are vegan. For the first time during the tour I’m a little distracted by the surroundings but then also what I’m sipping is delicious, it’s truly beautiful here and I’m already sending pictures on WhatsApp to encourage everyone to book a group trip here.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/8-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68922" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/8-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/8-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/8-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/8-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Again, there’s a welcome drink, introduction to the vineyard before a walk and another tasting among the vines and if you’ve time you can head along the path to see the alpacas as well as visit the pond and explore around. We try a Sussex Reserve made from a field blend of Bacchus, Reichensteiner and Pinot Noir amongst the grapes while hearing about the planting of the wild flower meadow to encourage wildlife to return.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We also try the Pinot Noir with a black rum and cheery hit and they also like to pair things with the appropriate snack &#8211; a cheese salty biscuit and some tiffin. With the sun on our skin, some English wine and a little explore around the vineyard I’m not sure I can think of a happier day out.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fond-farewell"><strong>A fond farewell</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/1-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="wine tour sussex" class="wp-image-68923" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/1-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/1-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/1-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/1-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sadly, things did have to come to an end, and the day concluded back at Horsham station. This was a beautiful day, where you can enjoy tastings without being rushed. Everything is timed perfectly to enjoy a taster at each vineyard while ensuring you see as much as possible with the right pace. One thing that felt special and is true to Muddy’s ethos, is that it’s all about supporting local. Each of the vineyards we visited seem to work together and support each other &#8211; now that’s something we can certainly toast to.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em><a href="https://greatbritishwinetours.co.uk/sussex-wine-routes/?#">The West Sussex Wine Tour</a> is available from March &#8211; October, tour departs from Horsham Railway Station at 10am and returns at approximately 4:30pm. Timings can be tailored to the client’s requirements, and alternative pick-up points. From £175 per person for a minimum of 14 guests.</em></p>


Wine and dandy! The best wine tours, tastings and vineyard visits around West Sussex

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