Ashling Park Estate: An Award-Winning Sussex Vineyard, Wine Retreat and Gin School
Just 90 minutes from London and within easy reach of Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton, Ashling Park Estate has quietly become one of the most talked-about English wine destinations on the south coast. Set across roughly 50 acres of chalk-soil vineyard framed by ancient oak trees, the West Sussex estate combines a working winery with a tasting room, a vineyard restaurant and café, a gin distillery and school, and five luxury on-site lodges built by a Channel 4 "Amazing Spaces" craftsman. Whether you arrive for a morning tasting flight, a long weekend of sparkling wines and slow lunches, a couple's gin-making class or a wedding against the vines, the same principles apply: local ingredients, slow craftsmanship, and bottles designed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of Champagne.
A Vineyard Steeped in South Downs History
Ashling Park Estate sits on land with a long and storied past. The property dates back to 1822, and its vineyard is grown on the unique chalky terroir typical of the South Downs. The estate takes its name and some of its most distinctive imagery from a previous owner: Air Marshal Viscount Lord Portal of Hungerford, a senior Royal Air Force commander who served as Chief of the Air Staff during the Second World War and was Winston Churchill's second-in-command. His crest still appears on Ashling Park's wine labels, and the on-site Portal Room - used for corporate meetings and private dining - is named in his honour.
What was once the Air Marshal's country seat has been transformed into a fully-fledged wine estate producing trophy-winning bottles that have repeatedly beaten established Champagne houses in blind tastings. Oz Clarke has described the estate as "a beautiful new wine estate near Chichester that is already producing some of the most delicious and characterful sparklers in Sussex," adding that "they will only go from strength to strength." Jancis Robinson OBE has featured the wines in the Financial Times, and Susie Barrie MW, Jamie Goode, Stephen Skelton MW, Terry Kirby and Rose Murray Brown MW all follow the estate's progress.
Visiting the Estate
Ashling Park is at West Ashling, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9DJ. The estate is approximately 50 miles from London by car, an hour from Heathrow, an hour from Gatwick, twenty minutes from the Portsmouth ferry terminal and forty minutes from Southampton Airport. Secure overnight parking is available on site, and EV chargers are provided for electric vehicles.
The estate has four distinct visitor areas, each with its own opening hours:
- The Vineyard Café - Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 4pm. No reservation required; dogs are welcome.
- The Vineyard Restaurant - Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 2:45pm and 6pm to 10pm; Sunday, 12pm to 2:45pm.
- Wine Shop - Open seven days a week, 9am to 5pm.
- Estate Office - Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
For enquiries, the team can be reached on 01243 967700 or via the contact page on the Ashling Park website.
The Wines of Ashling Park
Ashling Park's vineyard is planted primarily with the three classic Champagne varieties - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier - alongside Bacchus, an aromatic white that has found a natural home on English chalk. The estate's still and sparkling wines are produced in small batches and aged on lees for texture and complexity. Below is the current range, all available to buy through the online shop.
Sparkling Wines
The estate's flagship fizz has racked up an enviable trophy cabinet at the WineGB Awards, including back-to-back President's Trophies for Best Classic Cuvée NV in 2020 and 2021.
- Ashling Park Cuvée - from £35.00 (single bottle; case of six available). A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from the estate's chalky terroir, with aromas of ripe stone fruit and white flowers, fine persistent bubbles and a long, balanced finish. Voted "Best NV Sparkling in the UK" at WineGB 2020 and 2021.
- Ashling Park Sparkling Rosé - from £35.00. A seductive, full-flavoured rosé with aromas of sun-warmed summer fruit, fine bubbles and a long, complex finish. Trophy winner for "Best Sparkling Rosé in the UK" at WineGB 2020 and 2022.
- Ashling Park Blanc de Blancs - £39.00. 100% Chardonnay with an elegant nose of fresh citrus, brioche and white flowers, leading to a palate of lime, marzipan, almond and toasty notes. WineGB Silver Medal winner.
- Ashling Park Sparkling Red - £35.00. A blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier made from grapes grown on the sunniest part of the vineyard, with aromas of strawberry, cherry berries, liquorice and spice supported by South Downs chalky acidity.
- Cuvee Brut Magnum - £70.00. The estate's Cuvée in magnum format - perfect for celebrations.
- Sparkling Wine Mixed Case - £212.50. Two bottles each of the Trophy-winning Cuvée and Sparkling Rosé plus two bottles of the Silver medal-winning Blanc de Blancs.
Still Wines
The still range showcases the estate's red, rosé and white capabilities, and demonstrates that Sussex can produce serious table wines as well as celebrated sparkling.
- Ashling Park Pinot Noir - £17.50. A ruby red wine with notes of Doris plum, cinnamon, liquorice and lavender over red berry fruit and violets. Lightly chilled, it pairs with lamb, duck, pasta, pizza or lightly spiced dishes.
- 2022 Estate Selection Pinot Noir - £29.50. Aged in French and American oak barrels for almost a year, this is the trophy-winning "Best Still Pinot Noir in the UK" at the 2024 WineGB Awards. Dark cherry, blackberry and subtle oak notes give structure, complexity and ageing potential.
- Ashling Park Still Rosé - £16.50. A baby-pink rosé with raspberry and thyme aromas, zesty pink grapefruit and a dark cherry finish.
- Bacchus - £21.00. An English white wine with gooseberry, elderflower, lime zest, honeysuckle and geranium on the palate, finishing with a juicy citric zing.
- Ashling Park Twin Set - £65.00. A trophy-winning pair - one bottle of Cuvée and one bottle of Sparkling Rosé - saving £5 on buying them separately.
Estate Spirits: Gin, Vodka and Rum
Beyond grapes, Ashling Park distils a small range of spirits from Pinot Noir grape base, each named after one of the estate's working vineyard dogs - Belle, Bean and Rocco.
- Pointer's Pour Botanical Gin - £29.50. Named after Rocco, an English Pointer, this gin uses thirteen botanicals, opening with soft fruit and pear, opening into juniper and citrus, and finishing with subtle pepper, spice and a tart apple note. Works equally well in a classic G&T, a Martini or a more creative serve with grapefruit juice or Earl Grey tea.
- Beagle Juice Spiced Rum - £29.50. Named after Bean the Beagle, a Caribbean-style rum spirit with caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange notes layered over the estate's grape spirit.
- Alsatian Elixir Vodka - £29.50. Named after Belle the German Shepherd, a clean-cut vodka blending grain and grape spirit with delicate notes of young brandy and a dry grape twist.
- Spirit Gift Box - £75.00 (reduced from £88.50). All three estate spirits in a presentation box, marketed as "the Ultimate Spirit Box" for spirit lovers and cocktail enthusiasts.
Experiences on the Estate
Ashling Park has built its visitor business around three core experiences - vineyard tours and tastings, cocktail masterclasses and the much-loved Gin School. Each can be booked through the booking page.
Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting
The tour runs Thursday to Sunday and costs £25 per person. Guests are taken deep into the 50-acre vineyard for a guided walk among the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier vines before moving into Ashling Park's interactive Experience Room for the tasting. Five wines are poured, including:
- Still Rosé
- The Trophy-winning Cuvée ("Best NV Sparkling in the UK" 2020 & 2021)
- The Trophy-winning Sparkling Rosé ("Best Sparkling Rosé in the UK" 2020 & 2022)
- Silver medal-winning Blanc de Blancs
- Pinot Noir Gin
Tours are strictly for over-18s. A valid credit card is required at booking. Voucher holders should phone the estate on 01243 967700 to redeem.
Cocktail Making Class
Hosted on Saturdays at 5:00pm, the 45-minute cocktail class costs £80 per couple. Under the guidance of Ashling Park's mixologist, guests learn to shake, muddle and pour three signature serves: a French 75, an Espresso Martini and a Dark & Stormy.
Gin School - Make Your Own Gin
The Gin Making Experience is Ashling Park's signature hands-on activity. Classes run on Saturdays and last approximately three hours, costing £160 per still (equating to £80 per person when shared). Each pair of guests shares one of the ten polished copper stills in the dedicated gin room and selects from 24 botanicals - ranging from Classic and Citrus through to Floral, Aromatic and Herbaceous - to design two personalised 50cl bottles of gin. The session includes:
- A complimentary G&T on arrival
- Bottling, hand-signing and naming of two 50cl bottles of your own recipe
- An additional G&T in the cocktail bar or at the al fresco Airstream bar
- A 10% shop and restaurant discount
Bookings are taken through the Gin School page. The Gin Making Experience Voucher at £160 is one of the estate's most popular gifts.
Dining at the Vineyard
Food at Ashling Park is rooted in the estate itself. Meats come from a farm less than a mile away, the kitchen takes inspiration from the vineyard, the bees and the Pinot gin, and trained WSET staff are on hand in the restaurant to advise on wine pairings.
The Vineyard Restaurant
The first-floor restaurant is open Thursday to Sunday and serves a farm-to-table menu with sweeping vineyard views. Lunch is served between 12pm and 3pm (last orders 2:45pm), with a Sunday roast option each weekend. Dinner runs Thursday to Saturday from 6pm. Downstairs, the vineyard terrace caters for sharing boards and small treats, while the upstairs balcony offers front-row seats over the vine canopy. Reservations can be made through SevenRooms or the dedicated restaurant page. Sample menus are available for lunch, Sunday and dinner.
The Vineyard Café
Open seven days a week (Mon - Fri 9am - 3pm, weekends 9am - 4pm), the café offers a relaxed, walk-in alternative to the restaurant. Expect homemade cakes, charcuterie boards and local cheeses, soup of the day, sausage rolls, quiches, barista coffee, fine teas and a glass of Ashling Park wine for those who fancy it. Dogs are welcome. The full café menu is available to view.
Luxury Lodges
Five on-site lodges were designed and built by Will Hardie of Channel 4's "Amazing Spaces," each named after a stage in the vineyard's life cycle: Budburst, Flowering, Veraison, Harvest and Fall. Interiors are dressed in velvets and textiles that reflect the season's colour.
Each lodge features:
- EPOC handcrafted mattresses and divan beds (2m x 2m)
- A spacious bathroom with a clawed-foot roll-top bath
- A living area with log burner and armchairs
- A window seat with vineyard views
- A kitchenette with tea, coffee, toaster, microwave, fridge and mini butler sink
- Double doors opening onto a south-facing terrace with sofa seating
Veraison is the designated accessible lodge. A mix of one- and two-bedroom layouts is available, accommodating up to 16 guests in total - ideal for wedding parties. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 11am. One dog is permitted by prior arrangement (no dogs on furniture, beds or window seats), and a credit-card authorisation is taken at check-in. The cancellation policy offers a full refund up to 30 days before arrival, 50% up to 14 days, and no refund within five days. Lodge bookings can be made via the Ashling Park booking portal.
Events Throughout the Year
Ashling Park maintains a dedicated What's On page listing seasonal events, often paired with food, music or hands-on activities. Current and upcoming listings include:
- WSET Level 2 in Wines - the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 course hosted on the estate, starting Monday 22nd June.
- Veraison Vine & Dine - Sunday 30th August, a seasonal celebration timed to the veraison stage of the vineyard calendar.
- Harvest Vine & Dine - Saturday 3rd October, an estate lunch celebrating the harvest.
- Wreath Workshop - Friday 27th November (6pm), Wednesday 2nd December (11am) and Friday 4th December (6pm). Guests craft their own Christmas wreath while enjoying a glass of Ashling Park's sparkling wine. Tickets are available online.
- Xmas Shopping Event - Saturday 6th December from 4pm. The shop opens after hours with 10% off purchases, carol singers, fires and complimentary hot chocolate with a splash of Ashling Park rum.
The full Christmas programme, including group and corporate festive dining, is hosted on the Christmas page, with a downloadable festive menu.
Weddings at Ashling Park
The estate hosts wedding receptions from October to May, deliberately positioned in its quieter season to offer couples greater date flexibility, shorter lead times and cost savings for both the couple and their guests. Weddings of 30 to 80 guests are accommodated, with up to 16 guests able to stay overnight in the lodges.
Wedding packages typically feature:
- Front-row vineyard views and an intimate, relaxed atmosphere
- Food and English sparkling wine from the estate
- Acoustic music rather than loud DJs
- Styling and personal touches curated by the Ashling Park team
- A leisurely close at 11am the following morning
Wedding enquiries can be made through the weddings page.
Corporate Hospitality and Meetings
Ashling Park offers three private function rooms - the first-floor Main Restaurant (up to 60 seated / 70 standing), the Portal Room (10 to 16 guests) and the Copper Room (up to 30 theatre-style / 22 around tables) - plus a helicopter landing area, fibre broadband and a projector. The team regularly hosts team-building days combining vineyard tours, gin-making experiences, e-biking on Kingley Vale, and yoga or fitness retreats. BMW has previously used the estate as a launch venue. Full details are on the corporate page, with a downloadable corporate brochure.
Birthday Parties, Celebrations of Life and Group Get-Togethers
Beyond weddings, Ashling Park runs birthday parties built around the restaurant, cocktail classes, gin school or wine tastings, and offers a dedicated Celebration of Life service in its light-filled, vineyard-facing restaurant overlooking the 10-acre vineyard and 200-year-old oaks.
The Portal Wine Club and Estate Heritage
Ashling Park runs a wine club named after the estate's most famous former resident. Viscount Lord Portal of Hungerford, the Air Marshal whose crest still adorns the bottles, owned the estate after the Second World War. The Portal Wine Club gives members privileged access to new releases, library vintages and members-only events, while paying homage to one man's dedication to the nation. The Portal Room and the overall estate architecture are designed as a continuing tribute to his legacy.
Press, Critics and Awards
The estate's medal haul at the WineGB Awards is genuinely impressive for a young producer. Trophy wins include:
- Best Classic Cuvée NV (President's Trophy, WineGB 2020 and 2021)
- Best Sparkling Rosé in the UK (WineGB 2020 and 2022)
- Best Still Pinot Noir in the UK (WineGB 2024 - for the 2022 Estate Selection Pinot Noir)
- Best Regional Wine in the South East (WineGB)
Independent press coverage has been equally strong. Reviews and features have appeared in The Evening Standard, The Times, Tatler, Condé Nast Traveller, Decanter, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, BBC Good Food, The Express, Vineyard Magazine and The Southern Quarter. The estate holds an Excellent rating on TripAdvisor and has featured in the Great British Food Awards.
Sustainability and the Estate's Wider Estate
A vineyard is more than grapes. Ashling Park is also home to a working apiary of around 50 beehives, cared for by resident beekeeper Stuart, whose spring and summer inspections form a key part of the apiary calendar. Plans have been outlined for estate-produced beeswax products including honey, scented candles, wax melts, wraps, soaps and lip balms, alongside "be a beekeeper for a day" experiences. The bee colonies feed on willow, blackthorn and oilseed rape pollen from neighbouring farmland.
Beyond the vineyard itself, Ashling Park has partnered with Southern Ebike Rentals (02392 414642), who deliver and collect electric mountain bikes directly to the estate. The coast is just one mile away, with Wittering beach, Chichester Harbour and Kingley Vale nature reserve (featured on Sir David Attenborough's Wild Isle) all within easy reach. Day-trip options from the estate include Fishbourne Roman Palace (5 minutes), Chichester Cathedral (5 minutes), Chichester Festival Theatre (5 minutes), HMS Victory and The Mary Rose (30 minutes).
Plan Your Visit
Whether you arrive for a coffee and a slice of cake at the Vineyard Café, a tasting flight on the terrace, a full vineyard tour and tasting, a long lunch with paired wines, a couple's gin-making class, or a multi-night stay in one of the luxury lodges, Ashling Park offers a complete English wine experience under one roof. The Wine Shop is open daily from 9am to 5pm for bottle purchases and gift vouchers, and the online Ashling Park shop ships across the UK mainland (£5 delivery, or free on orders over £99).
Booking details:
- Phone: 01243 967700
- Enquiries: contact page
- Address: West Ashling, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9DJ
- Bookings: general bookings and restaurant reservations
The estate is active on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok, sharing the latest releases, events and seasonal menus.