Discover three Sussex wines and a fabulous stretch of Sussex coast and country. This trail can be done without a car.
From tidal creeks to chalk slopes
The Sussex coast does not present its vineyards in a neat, linear procession. Instead, they sit just beyond the shoreline, tucked into Downland valleys and shaped by maritime winds and shifting coastlines. This is a coastal wine trail, but not in the obvious sense. It’s a trail where the sea is sometimes visible, sometimes distant, but always present. Beginning in the east and working westward, this route can be done by train, with short transfers by foot, taxi or bus.
Winchelsea & Charles Palmer Vineyards
Salt air, medieval streets and elegant wines: Arriving at Winchelsea by train feels like stepping slightly off the map. The station sits quietly below the town, and the short but steep climb upwards brings you into a unique and atmospheric medieval settlement. Small enough to feel like a village but officially a town, it is laid out on a grid basis.
Once a thriving Cinque Port, this is actually new Winchelsea, built in 1288. Old Winchelsea was destroyed by the sea and a storm in 1287. You can still see the sea in the distance from the town’s “new” and lofty heights.
Wine spotlight
Charles Palmer Vineyard is about 1 mile from the train station. Set within the historic Wickham Manor estate, the manor itself dates back centuries and, more recently, was used as a filming location for Mr Holmes. The vineyard is particularly known for its still wines, which are notable in a county often dominated by sparkling.
Wine focus
Signature style
Still and sparkling wines with a marked freshness and precision, shaped by close proximity to the sea.
Standout wines
- Chardonnay – clean and mineral, with citrus tension and a lightly saline edge
- Pinot Noir – delicate red fruit, fine structure, more about nuance than weight
- Traditional method sparkling – elegant, balanced, with fine mousse and subtle brioche notes
In the glass
These are wines with clarity, structure and everything in balance. The wines tend towards the restrained rather than the exuberant, with a thread of coastal freshness running through them.
Why it works here
The vineyard sits just a mile from the sea, with some vines close to sea level. The maritime influence, cooling breezes, salt-laced air and long ripening period help preserve acidity and shape wines that feel precise, lifted and quietly complex.
Alfriston & Rathfinny Wine Estate
Chalk, scale and ambitious sparkles: From Winchelsea, the train west takes you to Berwick Station via Hastings or Polegate, followed by a short journey down by bus or taxi into Alfriston, another hopelessly pretty village steeped in tales of smugglers and sitting within the Cuckmere Valley. If you want to walk, it’s approximately 4 km from Berwick Station to Alfriston but 6.5 km to Rathfinny.
Here, chalk dominates, with the same geography and chalk seam that runs beneath Champagne, and it is this that defines Rathfinny Wine Estate. Rathfinny feels slightly majestic with a long, sweeping drive up and over the South Downs and rows of vines stretch across the slopes. You can smell the sea in the air and see it in the distance.
Wine focus
Signature style
Vintage-only, traditional method sparkling wines with precision, depth and a strong sense of terroir, built on estate-grown fruit and minimal intervention.
Standout wines
- Classic Cuvée (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier) – structured and balanced, with citrus, orchard fruit and fine autolytic depth
- Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) – linear and chalk-driven, with biscuity notes and impressive length
- Blanc de Noirs – broader and more textured, with depth from the black grape varietals
- Rosé Brut – elegant and supple, with red berry fruit and a lifted freshness
In the glass
These are wines of composure and confidence. There are the subtle notes of brioche alongside bright acidity, creating wines that feel precise. The low dosage allows the fruit to be clearly heard.
Why it works here
The south-facing slope maximises sunlight in a cool climate, while the chalk soils provide drainage and impart a distinctive mineral backbone. All fruit is estate-grown, hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, with fermentation in stainless steel and extended lees ageing (typically 24–36 months).
Hailsham (via the Pevensey Levels) & Off The Line Vineyard
Where the sea once was: From Alfriston, the trail turns inland but not away from the coast. There is a bus service from Berwick to Hailsham, or for the bold and intrepid, it is possible to walk cross-country from Berwick station to Off the Line vineyard in Hellingly, just north of Hailsham.
You are not far from the Pevensey Levels here, a vast, flat expanse that was once a tidal bay. In medieval times, the sea reached far further inland, and even now, the landscape feels transitional. Off The Line Vineyard, just to the side of the old railway line now known as the Cuckoo Trail, is a smaller, more independent operation, offering a contrast to the scale of Rathfinny.
Things to do in Hailsham & the Surrounding Area (East Sussex)
Wine Focus
Signature style
Small-batch, characterful wines with a focus on expressive rosés: bright, fruit-led, and often with a playful edge.
Standout wines
- 100% Pinot Noir Rosé (2018 vintage) – pale salmon in colour, with raspberry, cherry blossom and grapefruit; vibrant acidity balanced by soft red fruit and a subtle white pepper finish
- Dancing Dog Rosé – deeper in colour and more exuberant; packed with ripe strawberry and cherry, a touch of sweetness, and a zesty lift to keep it fresh
- Hip Rosé – more structured and savoury; cranberry, pink grapefruit, rose petal and a mineral, slightly saline edge with a dry, persistent finish
In the glass
These are wines with personality. Bright and bold, across the range, you move from light and delicate to generous and textural.
Why it works here
Although close to the Pevensey Levels, Off The Line Vineyard sits on a south-facing site on the lower slopes of The Weald. These heavier, Weald soils tend to produce wines with a little more generosity and fruit expression, rather than the linear precision you find on the Downs. The south-facing aspect ensures good ripening, while the surrounding landscape still benefits from a moderating maritime influence.
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