Dillions Vineyard - Single-Estate English Still Wines from the Sussex High Weuld
Tucked away between the villages of Staplefield and Handcross in West Sussex, Dillions Vineyard is a single-estate English winery rooted in farmland that has been cultivated for more than five centuries. Across roughly 25 acres bordering the ancient woodland of Nymans Woods (National Trust) and within the High Weuld Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the team produces still wines that are 100% estate-grown - a quietly distinctive Bacchus, a perfumed Pinot Rosé and a small-batch red called Noir. The first vines went into the ground in 2019, and a decade-and-a-bit later the wines are poured at restaurants, stocked in independent shops and shipped directly to households across the country. The estate is operated by Dillions Estates LLP (partnership number OC418079), trading as Dillions Vineyard from Dillions, Tanyard Lane, Staplefield, West Sussex RH17 6HH.
A single estate in the heart of the Sussex High Weuld
Dillions sits on free-draining sandy loam soils inside the Sussex High Weuld AONB, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that runs across the counties of Sussex, Kent and Surrey. The land has been farmed for over 500 years, and the current custodians treat that continuity as a responsibility rather than a marketing line. Bordered by ancient woodland and National Trust property, the vineyard buzzes with pollinators, grasshoppers and butterflies, and is home to nesting barn swallows, barn owls, bats, badgers, foxes, voles and mice.
The first vines were planted in 2019, in partnership with Defined Wines in Kent and a handful of other selected vineyards. The early vintages won immediate critical recognition, and from the 2020 harvest onwards every bottle of Dillions has been made exclusively from grapes grown and nurtured on the estate itself.
The address is Dillions, Tanyard Lane, Staplefield, West Sussex RH17 6HH. The registered office of the trading company sits separately at 3 East Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1TR.
Sustainability: a vineyard designed to leave a lighter footprint
The team is unusually explicit about how they farm. Three pillars - soil, vines and footprint - run through every decision made on the estate.
Soil
Dillions' free-draining sandy loam means the vineyard does not need to be routinely ploughed. Permanent grass and wildflower cover is maintained between the vine rows and around the headlands. This vegetation reduces run-off and erosion, helps with nutrient retention and provides a rich source of pollen and food for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Because the sandy soil loses some nutrients over time, occasional applications of natural organic fertilisers and soil improvers are made, sympathetically and in small amounts.
Vines
Like every English vineyard, Dillions' vines are not resistant to fungal disease, which means targeted fungicide applications are unavoidable. The team sprays sparingly using a LIPCO environmentally-friendly tunnel sprayer that recycles spray that does not settle on the leaves and virtually eliminates spray drift. Herbicides are not used; instead, weeds in the vine rows are managed through strimming, mowing and under-vine hoeing.
Footprint
English vineyards rarely need irrigation, and Dillions is no exception. The estate sits above a vast natural aquifer with springs welling up across the surrounding land, and all vineyard water comes from these underground sources. Electricity is generated on site from a 14 kW array of PV panels, which thrive in the warm Sussex sunshine. A lightweight paddock mower is used in preference to the tractor wherever possible to reduce both soil compaction and diesel use. The wine packaging itself is fully recyclable.
The wines: 100% estate-grown, 100% still
Dillions makes three wines, all still and all from grapes cultivated on the estate. The 2023 vintage is currently the flagship release across the range, with a small allocation of the 2022 wines still available. Every bottle is vegetarian, carries an English wine protected designation of origin, and is sold at a uniform 75cl format.
Bacchus White 2023
Bacchus grapes are particularly well suited to the High Weuld terroir, producing a fresh, aromatic, crisp white. The 2023 vintage benefited from the long, hot UK summer and shows a slightly more rounded and nuanced profile than earlier vintages. Strong aromas of pear and gooseberry come through on both nose and palate, finishing deliciously smooth. Award-winning wine writer Helen McGinn described it as "like face-planting an English hedgerow with elderflower and orchard fruits". It works equally well as an aperitif or paired with chicken, fish or Asian food. ABV 12%. Vegetarian. English wine PDO.
Pinot Rosé 2023
A delightful and refreshing summer wine made entirely from estate-grown Pinot varieties. The 2023 blend is 45% Pinot Noir (a mix of clones), 40% Pinot Noir Précoce and 15% Pinot Meunier. The warm 2023 summer delivered an intoxicating aroma of red summer fruit; on the palate the first hit is ripe raspberry and loganberry, followed by pomegranate and a hint of redcurrant, finishing smooth and rounded. Equally happy with food or as an afternoon sipper. ABV 12%. Vegetarian. English wine PDO.
Noir 2023 - limited release
The estate's first red, made from a blend of Cabaret Noir and Pinot Noir grown on site. On the nose there are fresh red cherries, plums and a hint of dark chocolate; on the palate the red fruit comes forward first, followed by richer undertones of violets and green pepper, finishing long and lively. Noir is produced only in small batches, so availability is strictly limited. Both case sizes are currently sold out due to the small-batch production.
Previous vintages still available
Stock of the 2022 vintage remains in the cellar for both the Bacchus and the Pinot Rosé. The 2022 wines show the same house style - gooseberry and elderflower for the Bacchus, summer berry and pomegranate for the Pinot Rosé - but with slightly different character to the newer release.
- Bacchus White 2022, 3 Bottle Case - £52.50 (Sold Out)
- Bacchus White 2022, 6 Bottle Case - £105.00 (Sold Out)
- Pinot Rosé 2022, 3 Bottle Case - £52.50
- Pinot Rosé 2022, Half Case of 6 Bottles - £105.00
Gift boxes, mixed cases and the Trilogy
Alongside the single-varietal cases, Dillions offers a small but well-curated set of mixed and gift formats that are particularly popular with new customers, restaurants and trade buyers looking for a snapshot of the range.
Gift Box of Two 2023 Bottles
A mixed presentation gift box containing 1 × Bacchus 2023 and 1 × Pinot Rosé 2023, dressed in Dillions' signature recyclable packaging. Ideal as a present for friends, family or hosts. Priced at £39.90. A 2022 vintage version of the same gift box is available at £39.50 while stocks last.
Mixed Half Case 2023, 6 Bottles
A balanced case of 3 × Bacchus 2023 and 3 × Pinot Rosé 2023 - a useful way to compare both wines side by side or to stock a small dinner party. £119.70.
Dillions Trilogy 2023
The full estate range in a single case: 1 × Bacchus 2023, 1 × Pinot Rosé 2023 and 1 × Noir 2023. The Trilogy sold out quickly once released; small allocations occasionally return to the cellar.
Visiting Dillions: tours and tastings
The visitor experience at Dillions is built around a guided two-hour tour and tasting. Hosts lead small groups of no more than 12 people through the vineyard, sharing the history of the site and the practical realities of running an English vineyard, before settling in for a curated tasting of the wines. Tours typically run at 11am and 3pm on the dates published in the booking system, last approximately 2 hours, and take place in all weather, so guests are advised to dress accordingly and wear appropriate footwear. Tours are not available to anyone under 18.
Bookings are taken through the Acuity scheduling system. Tickets are non-refundable, but the team is happy to reschedule to a new date and time - subject to availability - provided at least 48 hours' notice is given. For rescheduling and any other questions, email info@dillionsvineyard.co.uk or use the booking widget on the tours page.
Private bookings and celebrations
The team also welcomes private bookings for tours and tastings. Private tours can be tailored for corporate events, celebrations or special days out with friends and family, and tastings can be paired with locally sourced graze boxes. Enquiries about private bookings can be sent directly to the team.
Dillions Uncorked - membership and private events
Dillions Uncorked is the estate's customer membership scheme. Members get first refusal on new releases, invitations to private events held at the vineyard, and special membership offers on wine and other goodies. Member-only events are the main channel for special occasions at the estate.
Awards, press and recognition
Dillions wines have picked up medals and high-profile reviews from their very first vintage onwards.
- WineGB Awards 2024 - Dillions Rosé 2023 Silver, Dillions Bacchus 2023 Bronze.
- Independent English Wine Awards 2022 - Dillions Bacchus 2020 Silver, Dillions Rosé 2020 Bronze.
- WineGB Awards 2021 - Dillions Bacchus 2020 Silver.
- Tom Hewson's England 2021 Special Report - Dillions Rosé 2020 named Best Still Rosé in a blind tasting of more than 250 English wines.
- ITV Love Your Weekend, Best of British with Alan Titchmarsh - features for both the Bacchus 2020 ("it really exemplifies an English garden to me, it smells of hedgerows, gooseberry and elderflower…" - Aleesha Hansel) and the Rosé 2020.
- Harpers Wine & Spirit Magazine - "Harpers' Choice" for the Dillions Rosé 2020.
- Matthew Jukes, Vineyard Magazine, April 2020 - "Dillions Bacchus proves that new eyes are such a valuable asset in our business. Fascinating and also memorable, a debut [that] will have us all on the edge of our seats."
Buying from the cellar: delivery, collection and trade enquiries
All orders can be collected directly from the vineyard at no charge - the team will be in touch to arrange a convenient time. Standard delivery within the UK mainland is by APC courier between 8am and 4pm and takes 5 - 7 working days. Orders over 12 bottles qualify for free UK mainland delivery, and a signature from an adult over 18 is required at the point of receipt. For orders outside the UK mainland customers should enquire for a delivery quote.
Payments are processed securely by Stripe; Dillions never sees or stores card details. Orders are governed by the full Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookie Policy, and consumers retain the usual 14-day right of cancellation, subject to the standard exclusions around opened, altered or unsealed products.
Restaurants and independent wine merchants interested in listing Dillions wines are welcome to enquire.
Getting in touch
- Email - info@dillionsvineyard.co.uk
- Address - Dillions, Tanyard Lane, Staplefield, West Sussex RH17 6HH
- Instagram - @dillions_vineyard
- Shop - dillionsvineyard.co.uk/shop
- Tours - dillionsvineyard.co.uk/tours
Final pour
Dillions is a small, considered English wine estate. The range is intentionally tight and the backstory is understated, but the wines themselves are made with care on land that has been farmed for centuries. Whether ordering a case of the Bacchus 2023 to drink at home, sending a gift box to a friend, or driving out for a two-hour tour and tasting among the vines in the Sussex High Weuld, the experience is rooted in a quiet, consistent standard of English wine.