A Winery with a Passion
Bluebell Vineyard Estates has been established since 2005 and is a family run winery producing world class still and sparkling wine.
The vineyards boast around 100 acres stretching across both East and West Sussex in the heart of the Ashdown Forest. A variety of grapes are grown including Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, Bacchus and Ortega for white wine and Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Merlot for red. Their single estate still white is, in fact, the only vineyard in England that produces a varietal from Chasselas as it mainly grown in Switzerland. Very dry with a crisp acidity, citrus notes of lime and lemon.
In the ‘Hindleap’ range, they produce five different sparkling wines all made by the traditional Champagne method. As well as their classic cuvee made from the Champagne grapes of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay, they produce two different styles of Blanc de Blancs. The 2016 has aromas of tropical fruit such as lychees and pineapple with notes of white melon, kiwi fruit and mandarin on the palate. Their barrel aged Blanc de Blancs 2016 has aromas of honey and vanilla from the barrel ageing which adds richness to the tropical notes of pineapple and lychees and gives a very long length. Although richer in style, it still has a crisp, refreshing acidity and would pair perfectly with light snacks of avocado, crab or even lobster.
They also produce a range of still wines under the Ashdown range. As well as the Estate white they make an excellent Bacchus – gooseberry, elderflower, honeysuckle and apricot. Their rosé, contains about 15% Merlot which adds weight and colour – the rest being made from Pinot Noir. Light and fruity, with flavours of strawberry, cherry and white peach.
Tours and tastings
They are open Monday to Saturday from 10am – 4pm and Sundays 11am – 4pm and offer a variety of different tastings. A 30 minute tasting costs just £8 and you can taste a flight of both Hindleap and Ashdown wines.
If you prefer a more immersive experience book a 90 minute tour where you can go on a guided tour around the vineyard. On return to the tasting room you will sample five different wines from across the range all for just £20.
If you are a cheese fan – why not book a cheese and wine tour where you take a leisurely tour around the vineyard and end up back in the tasting room where each wine is paired perfectly with an English cheese; this tour takes around 2 hours and is the perfect way to spend a relaxing weekend afternoon. Cost is £30 per person.
For more information and latest information regarding tours and tastings please visit their website www.bluebellvineyard.org
Bluebell Vineyard Estates,
Glenmore Farm,
Sliders Lane, Furners Green,
East Sussex TN22 3RU
Tel: 01895 791561
Rowena Hawtin (DipWSET) #thewinelady
Posted in: Food and Drink
