Guided Tours & Wine Tasting at Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard

VISIT ENGLAND'S OLDEST ORGANIC VINEYARD (Est 1979)

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is surely one of the most idyllic tourist attraction locations in Southern England. Set in the heart of 1066 Country with views all the way to the town of Battle, scene of the famous Norman Conquest.

Here, within the Parish, but just outside the village of Sedlescombe you will find organic vineyards, bluebell walks through ancient woodlands and picnic areas surrounded by ancient oaks overlooking lush pastures. You can take a leisurely self-guided walk on the Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail followed by a tasting of award-winning organic English wines or book a group tour with a guide.

1.SELF-GUIDED TRAIL

If your group is fairly small and you do not require a guide, then the self-guided Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail plus Wine Tasting is the option for you. On arrival you will collect a map and leaflet containing information which will enable you to soak up these unique surroundings at your leisure and to find out exactly what makes a biodynamic vineyard tick.

Fancy a picnic? No problem , tables with stunning views are usually available.

Round off your stroll with a visit to the wine tasting Bar-in-the-Barn, where our friendly, down-to-earth staff will be waiting to serve you up a wine tasting experience right next to a giant cast iron and oak antique wine press that will live on in your memory for all the right reasons for years to come!

No pre-booking necessary, just turn up and go. Open 10.30 am - 5.30pm daily Easter to Christmas.

2. GUIDED TOURS

Guided tours are best suited for larger groups such as coach parties, clubs, societies, hen or stag parties, and professional associations. Although those extra special birthdays and anniversaries are also catered for. Prominent groups which have toured the vineyard in recent years include Roundtable, W.I. , Slow Food, Wine growers from Germany, Denmark and Holland, Chinese Business, Amateur Winemakers, Wine Clubs and Stag and Hen groups.

Your guide will be selected from our team according to the requirements of your paricular group. Groups requiring more expertise are usually led by the owner or the vineyard manager or wine maker.

Whatever your group or area of special interest your tour will be conducted in a lively, friendly manner and questions are always welcome. Topics include an insight into the the fascinating story of the rapidly expanding English Wine industry, as well as the magic and mystery of Sedlescombe's biodynamic and organic approach.

Most groups opt for a tour during the vine-growing season of April-October, though dormant seasonal tours are also possible.

The full guided tour also takes in the Ancient English Woodland walk which is carpeted with bluebells in May and home to many bird species. The walk across the little stream on the rough hewen tree trunk at Judge's Bridge is bound to be your kiddies highlight of this enchanting walk. Your attention will also be drawn to the anti-tank WWII defences, built by Canadiam troops in 1940 a relic of Britain's preparations for invasion. Another highlight is the charming self-built chalet bungalow featured on TV and in the Architects Journal which was built in just 3 weeks in 1987.

Your visit to the winery will enable you see first hand some of the equipment used to make the historic vintages of England's first Organic Wine in 1979 and first biodynamic wine in 2010.

You will then take a short walk to the tasting Bar-in-the-Barn for an eagerly awaited tutored tasting of Sedlescombe's current vintage of bio-dynamic English Wines. You'll even be offered a tasting sheet for your notes to help you choose the best wines to buy to take home to share with friends and family when you'll want to re-live your day out at Sedlescombe.

Ploughmans lunches, tea, coffee and cake (All organic, of course!) are also available but must be ordered in advance, preferably at the time of your booking.

The complete tour and tasting takes approximately one to one and a half hours.

Tour Operators and coach drivers are advised that coaches should drop off and collect their party at the vineyard entrance - NOTE there is not enough space to turn large vehicles in the vineyard car park!

RATES: Guided tour and tasting ( no. in party ) Price per person.

12 - 30 persons £7.50

30 + persons £6.50

(N.B. For groups of less than 12 people there is a minimum charge of £80.00)

Self-guided trail and tasting

Adults £5.50

Children (under 15 ) Free

To find out more or to make a booking, please FREEfone 0800 980 2884. or complete the "ENQUIRY FORM"

A non-refundable deposit of one-third of the toal is payable upon booking with the balance payable on the day of your tour.

Advance booking essential.