Ridgeview Wine Estate

Mike and Chris Roberts established Ridgeview Wine Estate in 1995, planting the original vineyard in 1994 at the foot of the South Downs National Park. The winery became fully operational by 2000, and that first bottling immediately won English Wine of the Year. Ridgeview built England's first underground wine cellars, signalling serious intent from the outset. The estate is now led by the second generation of the Roberts family: Tamara Roberts has served as CEO since 2013, and Simon Roberts serves as Head Winemaker.

• Vineyard planted 1994; winery operational and first vintage released by 2000
• Built England's first underground wine cellars
• One of the earliest English sparkling wine pioneers, following Nyetimber
• Second-generation leadership under Tamara Roberts (CEO) and Simon Roberts (Head Winemaker)

Ridgeview sits in Ditchling, East Sussex, within the South Downs National Park. The estate lies 7 miles from the English Channel and approximately 10 miles from Brighton, giving it a cool maritime climate with mild winters. The soils are chalk, limestone, and clay, sitting on the same geological formation as the Champagne region. This shared bedrock is central to Ridgeview's identity and to the broader case for England as a world-class sparkling wine producer.

• Chalk, limestone, and clay soils on the same formation as Champagne
• Cool maritime climate with mild winters due to proximity to the English Channel
• Located within South Downs National Park, East Sussex
• Partnership vineyards extend across Sussex, Kent, Suffolk, Essex, and Herefordshire

Ridgeview grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the same three varieties that dominate Champagne production. All wines are made using the traditional method, known in England as the classic method. The estate sources grapes from heritage vines on its own land as well as from partnership vineyards across southern England. The range includes sparkling white, sparkling rosé, sparkling red, and vegan wines.

• Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grown exclusively
• All sparkling wines produced using the traditional (classic) method
• Grapes sourced from estate vines and partner growers in Sussex, Kent, Suffolk, Essex, and Herefordshire
• Range includes sparkling white, rosé, red, and certified vegan wines

Ridgeview's trophy cabinet is exceptional for any producer, let alone one from England. The Bloomsbury 2002 took IWSC Best International Sparkling Wine, while the Blanc de Blancs 2006 won the Decanter Trophy for Best Global Sparkling Wine, beating Champagne houses on their own terms. The estate has been ranked #36 in the Top 50 World's Best Vineyards and achieved B Corporation certification in 2022. Ridgeview wines have been poured at Buckingham Palace State Banquets, served to President Barack Obama, and presented to world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow.

• Bloomsbury 2002 won IWSC Best International Sparkling Wine
• Blanc de Blancs 2006 won Decanter Trophy for Best Global Sparkling Wine
• Ranked #36 in Top 50 World's Best Vineyards
• Certified B Corporation 2022; wines served at Buckingham Palace and COP26

Ridgeview is open to the public year-round. The estate offers vineyard tours, wine tastings, a wine bar, a shop, and The Rows and Vine, a wine restaurant on site. With its accessible location near Brighton and the South Downs, the estate draws visitors looking to experience English wine production first-hand.

• Open year-round for tours, tastings, and retail
• The Rows and Vine restaurant and a wine bar are on site
• Located near Brighton, easily accessible from London and southern England