Photo: Will Hearle
![full-width-image](https://sussexmodern.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/8L5A8503.jpg)
Stopham Estate
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
© Stopham Vineyard Ltd
Photo: Will Hearle
Don’t miss
- Take a wander around the medieval hamlet of Stopham, with its 13th century church and rich history.
- A vineyard tour with breathtaking views of the South Downs
- Wine tasting amongst the estate’s high-tech winemaking facilities, inside a historic, Grade II listed barn.
When to visit
Winemaker tours run every Saturday from April to October at 11am and 2pm, and can be booked via Stopham’s website.
Do I need to book?
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.
While you’re in the area
- Petworth House
- Arundel Castle
- Parham House
- Amberley Museum
- Cowdray Park
Can I stay overnight?
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.
You may also like
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Landscape  
Sussex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve is a 465 hectares mosaic of coastal habitats – shingle, saltmarsh, saline lagoons, coastal grazing marsh, freshwater ditches and gravel pits, and reedbeds. It is home to 4,500 species of plants and animals of which more than 300 are nationally rare or endangered.
Tinwood Boutique Lodges
Accommodation | Overnight  
Stay the night at Tinwood Wine Estate near Chichester, in one of three luxury vineyard lodges with views of the vines.
Tillingham
Wine  
Set amongst 70 acres of rolling hills and woodlands with far reaching views along the Tillingham River valley.
The creative spirit of Sussex
Story | Art | Landscape | Wine  
In this series of short films, meet some of the people living and working in Sussex who embody the county's creativity and spirit.
Hastings Contemporary
Art  
Hastings Contemporary champions modern and contemporary art.
Firle Beacon
Landscape  
Firle Beacon, with fantastic views across the sea, sits high above the village of Firle in the South Downs National Park. The Beacon is home to a Neolithic tomb, and can be accessed using one of the many footpaths leading up from the village.
The story of British Modernism in four Sussex homes
Story | Art  
A condensed history of British modernism, as told via the story of four iconic Modern House homes in Sussex.
Sussex Modern x Dalston Wine Club: The Road Trip
Art | Wine  
Dalston Wine Club founder, wine writer and podcaster Hannah Crosbie embarks on a road trip of the Sussex winelands to visit the vineyards, meet the people and taste the wine putting Sussex on the map. Watch all three episodes now.
3 x Eastbourne vineyard cycle routes
Cycling | Wine  
Cadence Cycle Club's Director Roger Myall shows us how to reach some of the best vineyards near Eastbourne by bike.