Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/JamieLau_Bolney_210622-24.jpg" alt="Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex" class="wp-image-68845" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/JamieLau_Bolney_210622-24.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/JamieLau_Bolney_210622-24-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/JamieLau_Bolney_210622-24-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/JamieLau_Bolney_210622-24-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/06/JamieLau_Bolney_210622-24-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Bolney Wine Estate by Jamie Lau</figcaption></figure>



<p>When the sun&#8217;s shining, Sussex&#8217;s gently rolling vineyards do a pretty good impression of Tuscany or the Napa Valley, but even with the rain clouds rolling in, the bottles that they&#8217;re producing can more than hold their own. </p>



<p>The industry has come a long way since English Wine Week was first established 20 years, and one local grower has roots that go back even further. <a href="https://bolneywineestate.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bolney Wine Estate</a>&#8216;s first vines were planted back in 1972, when homegrown wine was still an eyebrow-raising novelty, and they&#8217;ve been crafting sparkling wines, whites and reds ever since. </p>



<p>Fast-forward to the present day, and their trophy cabinet is bursting with international awards, so where better to raise a glass to English Wine Week? There&#8217;s even a chance to try your hand at blending. </p>



<p>Here are some of Bolney&#8217;s English Wine Week events that we&#8217;re most excited about. Scroll to the end for your special Muddy discount code. Book now and as a Muddy reader, you can enjoy 10% off with the code MUDDYPICNIC10. Sip, sip hooray! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chef-s-dining-experience-19-jun">Chef&#8217;s Dining Experience, 19 Jun</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/boloney_chefsmenu.jpg" alt="English Wine Week at Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex" class="wp-image-84764" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/boloney_chefsmenu.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/boloney_chefsmenu-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/boloney_chefsmenu-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/boloney_chefsmenu-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>English Wine Week runs from <strong>20-28 Jun</strong> but you can start celebrating early with a Friday night Chef&#8217;s Dining Experience. Jack Marsh, the estate&#8217;s Head Chef, has been busy designing a six-course six-course tasting especially for the occasion. It&#8217;s built around local produce and ingredients grown in Bolney&#8217;s own kitchen garden. And naturally, each course is paired with one of their award-winning English wines. Tickets are £120pp (£85pp without the wine pairings) and guests will have exclusive use of the restaurant that evening but places are limited. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vineyard-picnics-21-28-jun">Vineyard picnics, 21-28 Jun</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_picnic.jpg" alt="English Wine Week at Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex" class="wp-image-84762" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_picnic.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_picnic-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_picnic-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_picnic-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Really, what could be lovelier than a summer&#8217;s afternoon spent picnicking among the estate&#8217;s vines? Actually, there is one way of topping that: ordering a luxury hamper for two filled with homemade afternoon-tea-inspired sandwiches, sweet treats, and a bottle of either Bolney Bubbly or Bolney Bubbly Rosé. It&#8217;ll be ready and waiting when you arrive, so all that&#8217;s left for you to do is choose a spot in the vineyard (or beneath a stretch tent if the weather&#8217;s not cooperating) and exhale.  Picnics are available throughout English Wine Week, with hamper collection slots at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Tickets are £55 per couple (£40 without wine). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-summer-sunset-viewing-20-jun">Summer sunset viewing, 20 Jun</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_sunsets.png" alt="English Wine Week at Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex" class="wp-image-84765" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_sunsets.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_sunsets-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_sunsets-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_sunsets-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_sunsets-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For something still more laidback, how about watching the sun go down over the vines on a Sat night (<strong>20 Jun</strong>, 6:30-9:30pm), with a glass of Bolney bubbles in hand, live acoustic music, and great company?  Along with award-winning English wines, there&#8217;re be small plates and sharing boards available to order – tempting desserts, too. As well as a welcome glass of Bolney Bubbly or Bubbly Rosé, your ticket also grants access to the vineyard for the evening, so arrive ready to bask in some golden-hour lighting. £15pp. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-english-wine-week-blending-experience-27-jun">English Wine Week blending experience, 27 Jun</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_winecheers.png" alt="English Wine Week at Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex" class="wp-image-84766" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_winecheers.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_winecheers-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_winecheers-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_winecheers-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_winecheers-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>How&#8217;s this for a unique hands-on masterclass? Created specifically for English Wine Week, it&#8217;ll enable you to taste a selection of sparkling base wines, then work alongside Bolney experts to create your very own blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Over the course of 1.5hrs on <strong>27 Jun</strong> you&#8217;ll learn how grape varieties, vineyard parcels, and blending choices shape the taste (and texture) of each sip that&#8217;s poured into your glass. Tickets are £60pp and at the time of writing, there are just 12 spaces available. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-a-tour-various-dates">Take a tour, various dates</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_tent_vines.jpg" alt="English Wine Week at Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex" class="wp-image-84763" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_tent_vines.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_tent_vines-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_tent_vines-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/05/bolney_tent_vines-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Summer is the perfect time of year to go a-roaming among the vines – even better if you&#8217;re in informed company. You can choose from a range of guided tours. The&nbsp;<a href="https://bolneywineestate.com/product/bolney-experience-tour-and-tasting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bolney Experience Tour and Tasting</a>&nbsp;(1pm on selected days, £60pp) offers an in-depth guided tour of wine estate, followed by a tutored tasting of a handpicked selection of award-winning Bolney wines. A thoughtful food matching plate, a seasonal mezze and petits fours make for perfect pairings. Other options include the&nbsp;<a href="https://bolneywineestate.com/product/bolney-wine-pairing-tour-and-tasting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bolney Wine Pairing Tour and Tasting</a>&nbsp;(10am on selected days, £30pp), with a tasting session accompanied by locally sourced cheese pairings, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://bolneywineestate.com/product/cellar-door-tasting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cellar Door Tasting</a>&nbsp;(daily excluding Sat, 11am, £20pp), combining tasting and a guided exploration of the estate’s different grape varieties and the winemaking process, as well as the stories behind each vintage. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-forget-the-shop">Don&#8217;t forget the shop</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/BolneyGift.jpg" alt="Bolney Wine Estate gifts, Sussex" class="wp-image-82223" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/BolneyGift.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/BolneyGift-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/BolneyGift-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/BolneyGift-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/BolneyGift-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Of course, one of the best ways to celebrate English Wine Week is to arrive back home with clinking bags. Bolney’s ever-growing range includes award-winning whites, reds and rosés – estate-distilled vermouth and gins, too. Head to the shop for a tempting choice of curated wine cases and half cases, and raise a toast to homegrown grapes at your leisure. </p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p><strong><em>In the mood for more? </em></strong></p>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/property/if-rivals-relocated-to-sussex-these-are-the-houses-they-might-live-in/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If &#8216;Rivals&#8217; relocated to Sussex, these are the houses they might live in</a></li>



<li><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/days-out/sussex-pick-your-own-farms-fruit-picking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berry nice! Prepare to PYO, Sussex – they&#8217;re ripening early this year</a></li>



<li><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/what-to-do-locally-over-may-half-term/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your half-term survival guide: 30+ things to do with the kids locally</a></li>
</ul>


Get ready to celebrate English Wine Week with Sussex sips, sunsets and seasonal fun at Bolney

You may also like