Bolney Wine Estate

Janet and Rodney Pratt established Bolney Wine Estate in 1972, making it the sixth commercial vineyard in the United Kingdom. The estate's first winery was built in 2005, followed by a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility in 2019 capable of producing 500,000 bottles per year. In January 2022, the global wine and sparkling wine group Henkell Freixenet acquired Bolney, marking a significant step in the estate's international profile. Foxhole Vineyard, a 6.5-hectare parcel planted on south-facing slopes between 2008 and 2009, was subsequently acquired by London Cru in June 2023.

• Founded 1972 by Janet and Rodney Pratt; sixth commercial vineyard in the UK
• First winery built 2005; new production facility opened 2019
• Acquired by Henkell Freixenet in January 2022
• Foxhole Vineyard sold to London Cru in June 2023

Bolney Wine Estate sits near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, approximately 45 minutes from central London by rail. The estate's 39 acres span multiple sites across elevations ranging from 25 to 120 meters, with soils composed of Lower Greensand and Weald Clay. The South Downs provide natural shelter, contributing to a cool maritime continental microclimate that records 1,400 to 1,500 annual sunshine hours. This environment is well-suited to the Champagne varieties that form the backbone of the estate's production. Bolney holds a Protected Designation of Origin status under the Sussex wine PDO.

• Located near Haywards Heath, West Sussex; 45 minutes from London by rail
• Soils: Lower Greensand and Weald Clay across elevations of 25,120 meters
• 1,400,1,500 annual sunshine hours; South Downs provide shelter
• Protected Designation of Origin: Sussex wine PDO

Bolney produces both traditional method sparkling wines and still wines, with a particular emphasis on still red wine production, a distinction in an English wine sector dominated by sparkling. Grapes grown include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus, Pinot Gris, Rondo, and Dornfelder. The Foxhole Brut Reserve, one of the estate's signature sparkling wines, blends 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay, spending a minimum of two years on lees. Production methods include hand-harvesting, native yeast fermentation, 20,40% whole-bunch fermentation, and aging in French oak. Annual output sits between 250,000 and 300,000 bottles.

• Foxhole Brut Reserve: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 15% Chardonnay; 2 years minimum on lees
• Hand-harvested; native yeast fermentation; 20,40% whole-bunch fermentation; French oak aging
• Pioneer of still red wine production in the UK
• Award-winning at Decanter Wine Awards, IWSC, and WineGB competitions

Beyond wine production, Bolney Wine Estate offers visitors the Eighteen Acre Restaurant and Café, situated on the property. The estate's proximity to London makes it an accessible destination for wine tourism. Its combination of historic roots, modern production facilities, and a working vineyard landscape reflects the broader growth of English wine as a destination category.

• Features Eighteen Acre Restaurant and Café on estate
• 45 minutes from central London by rail
• Modern winery opened 2019 with 500,000-bottle annual capacity