Bluebell Vineyard Estates

Bluebell Vineyard Estates: Award-Winning English Sparkling & Still Wines in East Sussex

Tucked into bluebell-strewn woodland on the edge of the High Weald, Bluebell Vineyard Estates is one of England's most quietly impressive wine producers. From a former farm near Sheffield Park - the same patch of East Sussex that draws visitors to the famous Bluebell Steam Railway - the team has built a 100-acre vineyard that yields award-winning traditional-method sparkling wines under the Hindleap label and a distinctive range of still wines under the Ashdown name. With a tasting room, guided tours, woodland walks, free EV charging and on-site accommodation, the estate is a complete day-out destination for anyone interested in English wine.

Our Story

Bluebell Vineyard Estates is the result of a hobby that grew roots. The site was originally a working farm, and the modern estate began when the founders started building a fine wine collection. An eye-opening visit to a vineyard in France, combined with the conviction that truly exceptional wines could be produced in England, turned that hobby into a planting plan. The first vines went into the ground in 2005, and the vineyard has since more than doubled in size.

Today the estate stretches across nearly 100 acres of vineyard in East and West Sussex, growing more than 100,000 vines. The portfolio of grape varieties is broader than at most English wineries: premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sit alongside Seyval Blanc, Bacchus, Ortega, Chasselas and Merlot. The first commercial release came from the 2007 vintage, and the wines have since accumulated over a hundred national and international awards - a tally that places Bluebell firmly among England's leading producers. All Bluebell wines are vegan friendly.

The Estate & Winemaking

The Bluebell philosophy is summed up in a single sentence: "We believe that truly great wines can only be produced from truly great fruit, so our winemaking begins in the vineyard." Every vintage the team works to bring out the best in each individual corner of the vineyard, and the planting plan has been carefully designed to match variety and clone to soil and aspect.

Clonal Diversity in the Vineyard

To achieve its signature style, the estate has planted nine different Chardonnay clones, fourteen Pinot Noir clones and four Pinot Meunier clones, each selected for a specific site and soil. Every clone is hand-harvested so that the distinct aromas and flavours of each vineyard block can be kept separate through to the final blend.

From Press to Bottle

In the winery, grapes are gently whole-bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks at 12 - 13°C over four weeks. Cool fermentation protects the natural fruit flavours and gives the Hindleap range its characteristic purity. Base wines are kept separate and remain on their gross yeast lees over winter to gain extra complexity and richness, and to preserve natural acidity the Hindleap sparkling wines do not go through malolactic fermentation.

Each spring, under the guidance of winemaker Kevin Sutherland, the blends are finalised before the wines are bottled for secondary fermentation. The Hindleap sparkling wines are aged on yeast lees for between 18 and 60 months depending on style - time that adds depth, richness and complexity. Only when a wine meets the team's standards is it released to the market.

The Hindleap Sparkling Range

The Hindleap range is the public face of Bluebell's traditional-method sparkling winemaking. All wines are vintage wines, meaning they are made from the grapes of a single year, so nearly every release is one of a kind. The current line-up includes the following cuvées, all available to order online:

Hindleap Classic Cuvée MV - £34.95. The first multi-vintage blend in the range, drawn from five different harvest years. A classic Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier blend with a straw-gold colour, fine bubbles, and aromas of baked apple, elderflower and brioche. Lime, mandarin spice, red apple skin and pastry on the palate. 12% vol.
Hindleap Rosé 2018 - £33.95. A 61% Pinot Noir, 39% Pinot Meunier blend with aromas of peach, wild strawberry, raspberry and rose hip, built on a palate of plum, Turkish delight, nectarine and violet. 12.5% vol.
Hindleap Seyval Blanc 2021 - £29.95. 100% Seyval Blanc offering orange peel, baked red apple and marzipan aromas, with red apple, white peach, almond, caramel and a touch of white pepper on the palate. 12% vol. Pairs particularly well with seafood.
Hindleap Meunier 2019 - £38.95. 100% Pinot Meunier with blackberry, cherry, raspberry and truffle aromas leading to soft meringue, creamy nectarine and raspberry yoghurt on the palate. 11.5% vol.
Hindleap Barrel Aged Blanc de Blancs 2017 - £38.95. 100% Chardonnay aged for seven months in 4 - 5-year-old French oak, giving vanilla and nectarine aromas, lime, orange, white melon and a hazelnut finish. 11.5% vol.
Hindleap Ruby 2022 - £36.00. 100% Merlot sparkling red with vanilla, plum and creamy blueberry aromas and a blackberry, cherry and blackcurrant palate. 11.5% vol.
Hindleap Blanc de Blancs 2020 - £35.95. 100% Chardonnay with citrus blossom, lime, gooseberry, elderflower and peach. 12.5% vol.
Hindleap Classic Cuvée NV Magnum (150cl) - £78.00. The signature Classic Cuvée in a 1.5-litre format, double the capacity of a standard bottle. 11.5% vol.

For collectors, Bluebell also offers a Special Limited Edition Blanc de Blancs Vertical Case (£250.00, down from £287.50), featuring the 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and Barrel Aged 2017 vintages. It is a rare chance to taste how Chardonnay develops across years and winemaking decisions, hand-picked by winemaker Kevin Sutherland.

The Ashdown Still Range

The Ashdown range showcases the breadth of what Bluebell can do with still wines. The collection takes its name from the Ashdown Forest landscape surrounding the estate and includes some of the most unusual varieties being planted in England today.

Ashdown Estate Blend 2020 - £18.95. A field blend of Seyval Blanc, Chasselas, Bacchus, Chardonnay and Merlot. Rose, citrus blossom and red apple aromas lead to white melon, raspberry and pineapple. 11% vol.
Ashdown Chasselas 2020 - £21.50. A 100% Chasselas that Bluebell describes as England's only commercial Chasselas. Delicate white flowers, ripe citrus, stone fruits, lime zest, peach blossom and white pepper. 11.5% vol.
Ashdown Rosé 2020 - £19.95. 93% Pinot Noir and 7% Merlot with aromas of roses, violets and cherry blossom, followed by red apple, cranberry, redcurrants and gooseberry. 11.5% vol.
Ashdown Merlot 2020 ("Boundary Block") - £28.40. 100% Merlot aged for 19 months in old oak barrels. Plum, blackcurrant, blackberry, almond, rhubarb, Cherry Bakewell and vanilla on the nose, with cooked cherries, blackcurrant jam, vanilla, cranberry and blackberry on the palate. 11% vol. Decanting recommended.
Ashdown Valley View 2023 - £20.40. 100% Chardonnay, five months in old barrels, famously featured on ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. Tropical juice, honey, vanilla, buttery soft oak, kiwi fruit, mandarin, creamy toffee, red apple and grapefruit. 11% vol.
Ashdown Ortega 2020 - £20.00. Apricot and hazelnut aromas, ripe peach, Mirabelle plum and baked apple on the palate, four months in old French oak. 12% ABV.
Ashdown Pinot Noir 2022 - £28.40. A rare limited release of English still red Pinot Noir from 100% estate-grown fruit. Wild strawberry, red cherry and subtle spice with silky tannins and a refreshing finish. Best served at 14 - 16°C.

Losing the bubbles does not mean losing value either. The Best of Bluebell Still Case at £108.93 (down from £124.55) bundles two bottles of Estate Blend 2020 with single bottles of Valley View, Chasselas, Boundary Block Merlot and Ashdown Rosé.

Mixing It Up: The Mixed Cases

For those who want to explore the full spectrum in a single drop, Bluebell puts together multi-bottle cases at 15% off the individual bottle prices. The Best of Bluebell Mixed Case at £135.36 (down from £154.95) includes Hindleap Rosé 2018, Hindleap Classic Cuvée MV, Hindleap Seyval Blanc 2021, Ashdown Estate Blend 2020, Ashdown Chasselas 2020 and Ashdown Rosé 2020 - a ready-made introduction to the house style.

The Best of Bluebell Sparkling Case at £180.80 (down from £208.50) is the sparkling equivalent, with Classic Cuvée MV, Hindleap Rosé 2018, Seyval Blanc 2021, Meunier 2019, Blanc de Blancs 2020 and Barrel Aged Blanc de Blancs 2017. The Wine Fan Case at £150.00 (down from £166.75) is a six-bottle collaboration with wine writer The Wine Fan, mixing Valley View, Chasselas, Ashdown Rosé, Hindleap Seyval Blanc, Hindleap Ruby and Hindleap Pinot Meunier - an inventive showcase of the varieties that make Bluebell unusual.

Gift Vouchers & Gift Boxes

Buying a present for a wine lover is easy. The Bluebell Wine Gift Card is an electronic voucher delivered instantly by email, available in denominations of £20, £30, £40, £50 and £100. The recipient redeems the unique code at checkout against any wine purchase from the Bluebell online shop, and any unused balance can be put towards a future order. The gift card expires after two years.

For an extra touch, the Hindleap Bluebell Vineyard Gift Box at £5.00 is an elegant presentation box designed to hold either a sparkling or still Hindleap bottle.

For tastings and tours, separate Tour Gift Vouchers are available; these can be electronic or card-based, and the team can explain how to redeem either format.

Visiting the Estate: Tours & Tastings

The Bluebell visitor experience is built around the vineyard and the cellar door. The estate offers guided tours led by the winemaking team, with options that include the core Tour & Tasting and a Wine & Cheese Tour & Tasting. All tours begin at the tasting room and involve walking around part of the vineyard, so guests are advised to bring appropriate footwear - it can be muddy and uneven underfoot. Only those over 18 may participate in the tastings, although supervised children are welcome on the walk.

Bookings can be made online: visitors choose their tour, pick a date, select the number of attendees and pay by credit or debit card. Gift Voucher holders enter their code at the final checkout instead of payment details. For groups of 10 or more, or for any booking enquiries, the team can be contacted directly at tours@bluebellvineyard.co.uk.

The Cellar Door & Tasting Room

The Bluebell Tasting Room - sometimes called the cellar door - is open throughout the week so that visitors can drop in even without a tour booking. Guests can enjoy a self-guided tasting flight, buy a glass of wine and sit on the terrace, or simply take in the views of the vineyard and the estate's ponds. The terrace is one of the estate's signature features, looking out over part of the vineyard and the larger landscape of the High Weald.

The current opening hours are:

Thursday - Friday: 11am - 4pm
Saturday - Sunday: 11am - 5pm
Bank Holiday Monday: 11am - 4pm

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and the team is happy to advise visitors on pairings or talk through the wines on the tasting list.

The Vineyard & Woodland Trail

Beyond the cellar door, the estate offers three marked walking trails of between 15 minutes and one hour each. All trails start at the Tasting Room, where a display board shows the route, and they are signed with wooden posts along the way. Walkers can enjoy views of the vines, the surrounding woodland and the estate's ponds. In spring, the woodlands that give the estate its name are carpeted with bluebells - a sight that has to be seen to be believed.

The trails are open Monday to Sunday during the growing season, with no need to book. Children are welcome, and dogs on leads are permitted. Visitors are advised to bring suitable footwear, as the paths can be muddy. Further details are available from the estate team on 01825 791561 or wine@bluebellvineyard.co.uk.

Free EV Charging for Visitors

Bluebell is one of the more forward-thinking English wineries when it comes to sustainable travel. The estate has installed two RolecEV Type 2 electric vehicle charge points, capable of up to 22 kW, and visitor charging is free. The power is supplemented by the estate's own solar panel installation, so visitors can arrive in an EV and leave with a fully charged car as well as a bottle or two.

Operation is straightforward: remove the protective rubber cover, plug the Type 2 connector into the vehicle, and the unit will begin charging automatically. A blue flashing ring on the wall charger turns to a constant green ring while charging is in progress. A red ring indicates a fault - typically a plug that is not seated firmly in the car socket.

Stay on the Estate

For anyone wanting to make a proper weekend of it, Bluebell Vineyard Estates offers on-site accommodation via Airbnb. The property is set within the grounds of the vineyard, making it ideal for visitors joining a tour or simply wanting to immerse themselves in the landscape. Availability and bookings are handled directly through the Airbnb listing.

Getting There

Bluebell Vineyard Estates is set in the heart of the Sussex countryside, close to the Bluebell Steam Railway and the National Trust's Sheffield Park garden. The estate is conveniently placed for visitors travelling from London and the South East: it is around a 15-minute taxi ride from Haywards Heath railway station and roughly 40 minutes' drive from Brighton. The wider area is full of good pubs and other Sussex attractions, making the estate a natural anchor for a day out - or a longer stay.

Practical Information

Before planning a visit or an order, it is worth keeping a few practical details in mind.

Address: Bluebell Vineyard Estates Ltd, Glenmore Farm, Sliders Lane, Furners Green, East Sussex, TN22 3RU, Uckfield, United Kingdom.
Phone: 01825 791561 (a temporary 01293 241118 number is also listed).
Email - general: wine@bluebellvineyard.co.uk
Email - tours: tours@bluebellvineyard.co.uk
Shop: Bluebell online wine shop.
Booking: Tour & Tasting booking.
Delivery: A flat £9.95 rate to most UK mainland addresses, with free delivery on orders of six bottles or more. Discount codes can be entered at checkout.
Returns: A 14-day returns policy applies to online orders, provided bottles are unopened and seals intact.
Age restriction: Wine can only be sold to customers aged 18 or over.
Shipping: At present, online orders can only be delivered within the United Kingdom. Export enquiries should be directed to the wine team.

Why Bluebell Matters in English Wine

What makes Bluebell Vineyard Estates stand out is not just the volume of awards - it is the combination of clonal detail, traditional-method sparkling expertise, and an unusually broad still-wine range for an English producer. The team's willingness to plant Chasselas, Merlot and Ortega alongside the classic Champagne varieties is a quiet statement of intent: that English wine can be more than just a British answer to Champagne. With the Sparkling range carrying the Hindleap flag and the Ashdown range exploring still territory, Bluebell is a single estate that genuinely showcases the diversity of what Sussex can do.

The cellar door is welcoming, the wines are carefully made, the walks are worth the drive, and the on-site accommodation makes it easy to extend the experience into a full weekend. Order a case, book a tour, or simply show up with a dog and a picnic - the estate is set up for all three.