Bewl Water Vineyard: Award-Winning Hand-Picked Wines on the Edge of Bewl Water, East Sussex
Bewl Water Vineyard is a quietly distinctive English winery sitting in the gentle, south-facing folds of the High Weald, with its rows of vines looking out across the largest body of fresh water in South East England. The vineyard sits within a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where the landscape still preserves its medieval pattern of small, irregular fields, scattered farmsteads and grazing Sussex cattle. The team takes a deliberately small-batch, hand-crafted approach, working just five acres of vines on Wadhurst clay to produce wines that have collected an impressive haul of medals in recent years, including multiple WineGB Awards and a place in the top 100 UK wines at the Vineyard & Winery Show.
This guide brings together what visitors and online shoppers need to know about Bewl Water Vineyard: where the vines grow, the history of the site, the grape varieties in the ground, the wines available to buy online, and the sustainability ethos behind every bottle.
Location and Setting: The Edge of Bewl Water
Bewl Water Vineyard lies in the rolling countryside of East Sussex, immediately adjacent to Bewl Water, the largest freshwater reservoir in the south east of England. The site's gentle southerly slopes of Wadhurst clay create what the team describe as a unique growing environment and a frost-free microclimate, two essentials for ripeness in the English climate. The reservoir acts as a vast thermal mass, helping to moderate temperatures and reducing the risk of late-spring frosts that can damage young buds.
The vineyard is part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), one of the most protected landscapes in the country. The Weald retains its medieval character of small, irregular-shaped fields, ancient woodland and scattered farmsteads, often still grazed by sheep or Sussex cattle. Visitors approaching the site will see the working agricultural landscape largely undisturbed, with the vineyard itself sitting comfortably within this traditional patchwork.
A Site with a Long Working History
Bewl Water Vineyard has a long history of both fruit and hop farming. The site's oast house, with its distinctive triple roundels, still rotates in the warm winds, a visual reminder of the generations of agricultural activity that preceded the vines. The fertile clay soil has a slightly higher than average iron content, a fact recorded in local history: nearby Wadhurst was at the centre of England's iron industry in the Middle Ages, and that same iron-rich clay now contributes to the structure and minerality of the wines.
Transitioning from hops and fruit to vines is a natural progression for many south-east sites, and Bewl Water's south-facing slopes, free-draining clay and frost-free microclimate have proved exceptionally well suited to classic Champagne varieties and to the quintessentially English Bacchus grape.
The Grapes: Old Vine Bacchus and Burgundy-Clone Pinot Noir
Bewl Water Vineyard produces small-batch, hand-crafted wines from two principal grape plantings:
Old Vine Bacchus
The vineyard's Bacchus vines are amongst the oldest in the United Kingdom, planted in the 1970s. The colder English climate means that these grapes retain a higher acidity than they would further south, giving varietal wines of high quality with a character somewhat in a Sauvignon blanc-like style. Old vines of this age are increasingly rare in the UK, and they bring concentration and complexity that newer plantings struggle to match.
Pinot Noir (Burgundy Clones)
The Pinot Noir vines were planted in 2005 and use Burgundy clones, specifically 115 on rootstock 3309, 375 on rootstock 504, and 777 on rootstock 3309. These are clones long associated with the great red and sparkling wines of the Côte d'Or, and they thrive on the Weald clay. The undulating, gently south-sloping terrain of the five-acre vineyard combines good drainage with optimum exposure to the East Sussex sun, a perfect match for Pinot Noir's love of warm, well-drained sites.
Sustainability: A Conscious, Considered Approach
The team believes sustainability is important both as a business and as individuals, and they are proud to be members of WineGB's Sustainable Wines of Great Britain Scheme. Their sustainability work focuses on several practical areas:
- Wildlife, habitats and biodiversity: the team takes its responsibility to protect local wildlife seriously.
- Pest and disease management: a conscious, considered approach minimises chemical use and prevents soil depletion.
- Reduced reliance on machinery: because the vineyard is small-batch and the grapes are hand-picked, the environmental impact of production is correspondingly lower.
- Continual improvement: the team is always working to make processes more sustainable.
- Local consumption: drinking English wine cuts down on food-miles compared with imported alternatives.
The Wines: A Sparkling-Heavy, Medal-Winning Range
Bewl Water's commercial range is dominated by traditional-method sparkling wines, with a celebrated still Bacchus and limited still Pinot Noir releases rounding out the portfolio. All wines are vegan-friendly, bottled at 75cl with an ABV of 12%, and prices include VAT.
Reserve Cuvée 2018
The flagship wine is the Reserve Cuvée 2018, a traditional-method English sparkling wine priced at £36.00 per bottle (or £216.00 for the six-bottle case). It is made from Bewl Water's own Pinot Noir grapes skilfully combined with a carefully selected local blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. 2018 was an exceptional growing year in the UK, with a super-hot summer delivering grapes bursting with juicy ripeness. The result is a sparkling wine with fresh and intense citrus aromas, supported by notes of ripe fruit and the slightest hint of oak, finishing with a touch of biscuity honey and a creamy length. Aged on the lees for at least 24 months. The wine is excellent with lobster lasagne or seafood, and is just as enjoyable on its own.
The Reserve Cuvée 2018 was a WineGB Gold Medal Winner in 2023 and was shortlisted for the WineGB Awards Best Vintage Classic Cuvée Trophy in the same year. The judges' tasting notes described it as "absolutely tremendous stuff, already showing the gorgeous succulent ripeness of 2018 fruit, young, juicy and optimistic but also starting to show a thrilling potential for spice, cream and brioche crust in years to come."
Blanc De Blancs 2021
The Blanc De Blancs 2021 is a special edition, traditional-method English quality sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes hand-harvested in 2021 and left to improve on the lees for twenty-four months. Priced at £30.00 per bottle (or £180.00 for the six-bottle case), it is dry with crisp acidity and citrusy floral notes. Light in body, it pairs deliciously with all seafood dishes or can be simply enjoyed on its own.
The wine won a Bronze International Medal at the London Wine Competition 2025, one of only eight English Wine Bronze Medals awarded. The judge's tasting notes described it as "bright and floral with jasmine and blossom leading into lemon peel and citrus zest, this fruit-driven wine is clean and expressive, finishing with clarity, freshness, and aromatic lift."
Blanc De Noirs 2020 Final Release
The Blanc De Noirs 2020 Final Release is a 100% Pinot Noir, traditional-method sparkling wine, a "white" wine made from black grapes. Priced at £30.00 per bottle (or £180.00 for the six-bottle case), the fruity black grapes were hand-harvested in 2020 from south-facing clay slopes and transformed into a stunning white sparkling wine. The cooler English climate gives rise to an earthy mix of ripe red berry flavours, with depth and a complex rich character. The wine is aged on the lees for thirty-six months.
This is a limited release of just 2,000 bottles and has been a major medal winner:
- London Wine Competition 2025: Gold Medal, 95 points, one of only two English Wine Gold Medals awarded in 2025.
- Decanter Wine Awards 2025: praised as having an "appealing bright citrus nose, youthful and vibrant palate with tart red fruit and leafy character, very elegant!"
The judges at the London Wine Competition described it as "golden-hued with subtle brioche and red apple notes, the palate is crisp and refined with soft orchard fruit, fine bubbles, and a poised mineral finish that speaks to quiet complexity."
Old Vine Bacchus 2023
The Old Vine Bacchus 2023 is the vineyard's still white wine, made from those 1970s-planted vines. Priced at £16.50 per bottle (or £99.00 for the six-bottle case), it is a rare chance to taste one of the oldest Bacchus plantings in England.
It has been showered with medals:
- London Tasting Awards 2025: Gold Medal, Best International Product
- London Wine Competition 2025: Silver Medal, 90 points, one of only four English Wine Silver Medals awarded.
- Decanter Wine Awards 2025: Silver Medal
Judges described it as having a "pale green-gold with elderflower, citrus zest and soft herbs, the palate is dry and aromatic with vibrant acidity and a crisp, zesty finish that reflects English wine character beautifully." The Decanter panel added that it had "delicate aromatics, with a fresh bright, silky palate of white-currant, citrus, and floral characters, lifted by a touch of residual sugar."
777 Pinot Noir 2025 (Coming Soon)
The 777 Pinot Noir 2025 is a limited edition still red made from the vineyard's special Clone 777 grapes, one of the prized Pinot Noir Dijon clones planted at the site. Listed at £19.50 per bottle, the 2025 grapes were hand-harvested next to Bewl Water and have been aged in French oak. The tasting notes promise crushed red berries, subtle oak spice and cherry on the nose, with cola and a smoky savoury finish on the palate. Vegan-friendly and released in limited quantities.
Pinot Noir Special Reserve 2022
Listed at £96.00 for the six-bottle case, the Pinot Noir Special Reserve 2022 is another limited-edition cold-climate Pinot Noir. The 2022 grapes were hand-harvested next to Bewl Water in East Sussex and carefully blended with locally-sourced Pinot Noir. Expect crushed red berries, subtle oak spice and cherry on the nose, and cola with a smoky savoury finish on the palate. Vegan friendly, and the team recommends drinking it now or cellaring for later, as it will improve with age. Currently sold out.
Sparkling Mixed Case
For those who want the full Bewl Water sparkling portfolio in one box, the Sparkling Mixed Case at £186.00 brings together:
- 2 bottles of Reserve Cuvée 2018
- 2 bottles of Blanc De Blancs 2021
- 2 bottles of Blanc De Noirs 2020 Final Release
This is an excellent way to compare the three medal-winning sparkling wines side by side and discover which style best suits your palate.
Shopping and Offers
The full Bewl Water range can be bought online through the vineyard's online shop, organised into All Wines, Cases and Offers. Offers currently include limited stock of the Sparkling Mixed Case and a sold-out Pinot Noir Special Reserve 2022 case. All wines include VAT in the listed price.
Awards and Recognition
Bewl Water Vineyard's wines have won multiple WineGB Awards, the national competition for the English and Welsh wine industry, and the range has been included in the top 100 UK wines at the Vineyard & Winery Show. Individual medals include:
- WineGB Gold Medal 2023, Reserve Cuvée 2018 (shortlisted for Best Vintage Classic Cuvée Trophy)
- London Wine Competition 2025 Gold Medal, 95 points, Blanc De Noirs 2020 Final Release (one of only two English Gold Medals awarded)
- London Wine Competition 2025 Silver Medal, 90 points, Old Vine Bacchus 2023 (one of only four English Silver Medals)
- London Wine Competition 2025 Bronze International Medal, Blanc De Blancs 2021 (one of only eight English Bronze Medals)
- London Tasting Awards 2025 Gold Medal, Best International Product, Old Vine Bacchus 2023
- Decanter Wine Awards 2025 Silver Medal, Old Vine Bacchus 2023
Visiting Bewl Water Vineyard
The vineyard sits in a particularly beautiful corner of East Sussex, within easy reach of the High Weald's network of footpaths and bridleways and of Bewl Water reservoir itself, popular with walkers, cyclists and sailors. The surrounding landscape of small fields, woodland and grazing pasture makes it an ideal stop on a wider visit to the High Weald AONB. The team runs open days, tastings and other events throughout the year, and the winery is active on Instagram, sharing the changing seasons in the vineyard.