The Bubbles and Botanicals Fair is back this November. It is a chance to meet the producers and try before you buy. It’s also a great thing to do on a chilly, November afternoon. In 2024, Bubbles will take place on the 2 November at Handcross Park from 1 pm. There is free parking and an interesting selection of local sparkling wine and craft spirit producers and nibbles to keep you going.
Each of our stallholders has a unique story to tell, from the history of their produce and its terroir to their production methods and unique ingredients. No two Sussex wines and spirits are the same, so this is a great way to find out more, and discover what you like and love. The stallholders come from both large and small vineyard and producers reflecting the diversity of the county.
If you want to grab your tickets before you forget, you can do so here: Bubbles and Botanicals Fair
Coolhurst Vineyards
Settled in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just outside Horsham, and forming part of a 7th generation family estate, Coolhurst produces one of England’s finest sparkling rosé wines, Lady Elizabeth, as well as a Côtes de Provence Rosé.
Cabin Pressure
Cabin Pressure Spirits produce award-winning small-batch spirits and liqueurs from their micro-distillery in Horsham. Unusually, they use a glass vacuum-still to create their gin, resulting in exceptional flavour clarity and particular smoothness.
Hidden Spring
An award winning Sussex vineyard, Hidden Spring produce a range of still and sparkling wines, and the vineyard has a history that dates back to the early years of Sussex wine in the 1980s.
Harley House Distillery
Based near Seaford, Harley House produce their gin in its entirety, from initial fermentation to the final gin distillation. They produce their own neutral alcohol using locally sourced water from an aquifer in the South Downs and they have an exciting range of gin and other spirits.
House Coren
Unlike other sparkling wines from England, Boco by House Coren is produced using the Charmat method, a technique where the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in a sealed tank rather than a bottle. The secondary fermentation that occurs under pressure creates carbon dioxide and gives the wine its natural fizz.
Dedbest Distillery
The DedBest Distillery is in the old Mill Room on Crockstead Farm, a few moments north of Lewes. They are known for their Contractor’s Classic Dry Gin and their premium, clean and delicious Charcoal Filtered Vodka.
Digby Fine English
As England’s first pure négociant (blending house), Digby Fine English are passionate about working with proven, best-in-class vineyards, blending and ageing. They work with carefully selected vineyard partners across the South of England who are chosen for the quality of their land and viticultural ethos to provide a true taste of the country’s varied soils and settings.
Loxwood Meadworks
Loxwood Meadworks produce crips and elegant honey wine. Unlike other meads you may have tried before, their Pure Mead is created using 100% honey in the ferment. It’s fermented dry, and then back-sweetened with honey, to give the most natural flavour and a delicate sweetness.
Dillions Vineyard
Based near Haywards Heath, Dillions have produced award-winning still wines since 2019. They have since introduced their Bacchus 2023 and Rosé 2023 vintages. These, as well as their 2022 range, are made 100% from grapes grown and nurtured at Dillions.
Slake Spirits
Slake Spirits is an independent artisan gin distillery based in Worthing. Bringing you unique gin recipes from the enquiring mind of their head dragon, distiller & forager.
Southlands Valley Vineyards
Southlands Valley is a bit different from other English vineyards. Owned by one family since 2014, they are run as a community enterprise with the support of a cooperative of local workers, who each have the responsibility to tend and care for a number of rows of vines. With a tiny plot, they are known for their Smock Alley wine.
Leonardslee Wine Estate
Just outside Horsham, the Leonardslee Wine Estate offers a range of new English sparkling wines, alongside selections from their sister estate, Benguela Cove in South Africa. The Leonardslee Family Vineyard label encapsulates the extraordinary journey of its owner, Penny Streeter OBE, from humble beginnings to creating a prestigious English sparkling wine.
Goldstone Rum
Rum made the proper way, using fresh sugar cane juice, jaggery, panela and molasses fermented and distilled at this little Sussex distillery.
Bramble Drinks Company
Based in East Hoathly, the Bramble Drinks Company make handcrafted liqueurs using seasonal and handpicked fruits. No chemicals just honest, sustainable and totally delicious!
What to expect
A fun afternoon of tasting, trying, buying, learning and meeting. And of course, the free raffle and nibbles are a welcome break from the hard work of tasting.
Last year, word on the street is that a few taxis had to be swiftly booked for some of the enthusiastic tasters, and as the sun set, laughter, the clinking of glasses, and a gentle buzz floated into the foyer! Sussex has such an enormous pool of talent, and it was wonderful to see so many people supporting local producers and learning more about the hard work, dedication, and creativity that goes into a Sussex drinks scene that is on the world stage when it comes to quality and class!
You can find out more about the vineyards and craft gin makers who were at this event here:
