
Photo: Will Hearle
Nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park, Stopham Estate is home to 21,000 vines, which enjoy sunny, south-facing slopes in the medieval hamlet of Stopham, near Pulborough.
As specialists in crafting aromatic still white wines from Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Bacchus and classic method sparkling wine, Stopham pride themselves on their sustainable approach to winemaking. The vineyard, planted in 2007 by winemaker Simon Woodhead, boasts sandy, free-draining soil and some of the best views in the county – which make far happy vines and happy winemakers at this beautiful, 15 acre estate.
Visitors to the estate can enjoy vineyard, winery and wine tasting tours with the winemaker on Saturdays at 11am or 2pm between April and October. The tours include an in-depth tour of both the vineyard and the winery, offering a deep insight into the winemaking process, from soil to bottle.
The estate’s clean, crisp aromatic styles have won many industry awards (IEWA, Wine GB, Decanter WWA to name a few – and pair very well with fish, seafood and spicy dishes.
Photo: Will Hearle
Photo: Will Hearle
© Stopham Vineyard Ltd
Photo: Will Hearle
Winemaker tours run every Saturday from April to October at 11am and 2pm, and can be booked via Stopham’s website.
Winemaker tours can be booked via Stopham’s website. Or for a private tour, contact the winery directly. Add lunch by the river Arun for even more of a memorable and enjoyable day out.
Not directly on the estate, but the Pig Hotel in Madehurst (near Arundel) is nearby, and offers excellent accommodation and delicious food. Cowdray Estate in nearby Midhurst has holiday cottages to rent in their beautiful grounds, and their farm shop is well worth a visit.
Wine  
New for 2022, a hop-on-hop-off bus service has launched between several Sussex vineyards, allowing visitors to explore England’s wine region at their own pace.
B&B | Overnight | Accommodation | Camping  
Stay overnight in a converted hop barn B&B or luxury bell tent at this biodynamic vineyard & wine producer in the East Sussex countryside.
News  
As well as extraordinary art, wines and scenery, Sussex is blessed with a stellar choice of places to stay – all within easy reach of London.
Wine  
If you’re looking to visit a Sussex vineyard for a tasting, a tour or a bite to eat, these exceptional wine estates are a great place to start.
Wine  
Adderley Pelly, Vineyard Manager at Stopham Estate, gives us a peek into her daily routines and the rhythms of the wine year.
Events | Art  
10 days of thrilling events at the home of the Bloomsbury Group.
Art  
Chichester Festival Theatre is one of the UK’s flagship theatres, renowned for the exceptionally high standard of its productions as well as its work with the community and young people.
Story  
Get under the skin of Sussex and uncover its lesser-known stories with these extraordinary experiences and places to visit, as recommended by Secret Sussex author Ellie Seymour.
Story | Art  
Take the Coastal Culture Trail between three award-winning galleries: Towner Eastbourne, De La Warr Pavilion, and Hastings Contemporary.