Everflyht Vineyard: A Family-Run Sussex Sparkling Wine Estate in the South Downs
Tucked into the chalk downs just south of Ditchling Beacon, Everflyht Vineyard is one of Sussex's quietly ambitious single-estate sparkling wine producers. Run by the Ellis family on land they planted themselves in 2016, the estate makes its wines in a winery they built among the vines, with a tasting room looking out across rows of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. It is also one of the most award-decorated new producers in the country, having taken the English Sparkling NV Trophy at the 2026 International Wine Challenge for its Cuvée Edition 3.
A Vineyard Born Out of a Volcanic Ash Cloud
The story of Everflyht begins with a cancelled flight. In 2010, Ben and Sam Ellis were on holiday in Thailand with their three daughters when the eruption of an Icelandic volcano shut European airspace. Rather than wait up to ten weeks for a rescheduled route home, Sam asked the obvious question: "What if we fly the other way?" The airline said yes. Three weeks in Margaret River followed, long lunches with Pinot Noir and glasses of sparkling wine, and the girls running between rows of vines while Ben turned to Sam and said "we could do this." They were home within weeks and had found their land in Sussex shortly after.
The first vines went into the ground at Foxbridge Farm in 2016, marking a decade of dedication to English sparkling wine. The estate sits between 65 and 74 metres above sea level, on clay loam soils with bands of colluvium running through the blocks, with average seasonal rainfall of 1,248mm and 892 growing degree days. The block composition across the estate is led by Chardonnay (58%) and Pinot Noir (26%) at the main Vineyard House, with Pinot Meunier (16%), while the Oaks block is dominated by Pinot Noir (58%) alongside Gamay (20%) and Pinot Gris (18%), and the Pond block blends Meunier (56%), Pinot Précoce (18%) and Chardonnay (26%).
The name "Everflyht" is taken from the six Martlets of the Sussex crest, birds that legend says were never drawn with feet because they were always in flight. The six V shapes in the Everflyht feather are a quiet reference to that sense of adventure, learning and never settling.
The Wines
Everflyht makes both traditional method sparkling wines and a Charmat-method pet-nat style called Wylde, joined in 2025 by the late-disgorged Late Release Edition 2. The current estate range available to buy directly is built around four core cuvées and a small set of curated cases and gift sets.
Cuvée Edition 3 - £30 single / £170 case
The flagship non-vintage sparkling and the wine that won the 2026 IWC English Sparkling NV Trophy with 95 points. Based on the 2021 harvest with reserve wines from 2018, 2019 and 2020, it reflects the current estate planting of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. Hand-picked and crafted with low intervention, it is aged in a mix of new and old oak. Judges described it as "taut and focused with lively lemony fruit and subtle toasty depth … complex and linear with real precision and acidity." This edition is expected to be in high demand.
Wylde - £22 single / £120 case
Wylde is a Charmat-method sparkling made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay grown on the estate. Made to be opened without ceremony - for the Tuesday evening or the long lunch that drifts past three - it is bright, fruit-driven, with a pale pink hue, silver flecks, lively mousse and clean acidity at 11.5% ABV. General Manager Luke Spalding describes it as "playful yet premium." It is available directly from the estate at £22 a bottle, or through UK stockists at £24.
Blanc de Noirs 2020 - £40 single / £230 case
A blend of Pinot Noir and Meunier, hand-picked and aged on the lees for 33 months. Delicate golden straw in colour, with a fruit-forward profile of ripe strawberries giving way to buttery pastry notes and a warm spiced finish. The 2020 vintage is currently out of stock, with the 2021 due later in the year.
Rosé De Saignée 2022 - £50 single / £300 case
A field-to-bottle saignée of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Meunier, aged 20 months on the lees. Luminous coral pink with flickers of orange, the nose and palate deliver layers of ripe cherry and sun-warmed red fruits threaded with buttery patisserie. Pre-orders are now open for what is fast becoming the estate's cult wine, with allocations strictly limited.
Late Release Edition 2 - From £40 single / £230 case
Only 2,000 bottles have been released after five years in the cellar. Expect freshly baked brioche, toasted almonds and ripe orchard fruits, lifted by citrus and floral notes, with a silky mousse and a long, graceful finish.
Estate Cases, Trios and Duos
- Estate Case (£230) - 2 × Cuvée Edition 3, 2 × Blanc de Noirs 2020 and 2 × Rosé de Saignée 2022.
- Everflyht Trio (£120) - Cuvée Edition 3, Rosé de Saignée 2019 and Blanc de Noirs 2020.
- Vintage Duo (£95) - Blanc de Noirs 2020 and Rosé De Saignée 2020.
- Summer Trio (£70) - 1 × Cuvée and 2 × Wylde.
- Summer Duo (£50) - 1 × Cuvée and 1 × Wylde.
- Summer Case (£150) - 3 × Cuvée and 3 × Wylde.
Gift Sets and Murmuration Memberships
- Sussex Treats (£90) - Cuvée and Blanc de Noirs paired with a Coastal Yard Candle.
- Tom Surgeys' Gift Set (£45) - A bottle of Everflyht Brut NV paired with Tom Surgey's book How to Drink Wine.
- Wine & Summer Tour Experience - Everflyht Estate (£120) - A bottle from the Edition range and a Vintage wine, plus vouchers for two people to attend a Summer Tour & Tasting event between April and September.
- Murmuration Members M Gift (£240 / year) - 6 bottles of Everflyht sparkling wine and 10% off further purchases.
- Murmuration Members MO1 Gift (£340 / year) - 9 bottles, 10% off further purchases, and an invitation for three guests to The Collection.
- Murmuration Members MO2 Gift (£540 / year) - 15 bottles, 10% off further purchases, a private tour & tasting for up to 8 people, and a Collection invitation for three guests.
Visiting Everflyht
Everflyht is open on Saturdays and Sundays for tastings and tours, with the tasting room set among the vines and a calendar of small-group experiences throughout the season.
Saturday Tour & Tasting - £30 per person
A 45-minute guided walk through the vineyard, followed by a tasting of three Everflyht sparkling wines served alongside a curated selection of charcuterie and cheeses in the tasting room. The whole experience lasts about 2.5 hours and is limited to 20 guests. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. As a thank-you, the ticket cost is redeemable against a case (six bottles or more) per person bought on the day. Saturday Tour & Tasting runs at 12pm on 4 April, 23 May, 6 June, 27 June, 25 July, 1 August, 15 August, 22 August, 29 August, 5 September, 12 September, 19 September and 26 September 2026 (excluding 16 May and 8 August).
Classic Tour & Tasting - £40 for two people
A relaxed guided walk through the vines followed by a tasting of three Everflyht sparkling wines served as 50ml measures in the tasting room. An optional cheeseboard for two can be added on the day. Each tour is kept to 12 guests so there is space for questions. Classics run Thursdays at 5pm, Saturdays at 11am, and Sundays at 12pm and 2pm from 6 August to 11 October 2026.
Special Offers on Tours
Buy four experiences and get a fifth free, save £30 when you purchase 4+ experiences with code BUY4SAVE30, or save £60 on 8+ experiences with code BUY8SAVE60.
Events and Workshops
Beyond the regular tours, Everflyht hosts a curated programme of partner-led events through the year, from sunrise pilates among the vines to wreath making in the tasting room.
Dynamic Pilates with Fettle & Birch - £10
Every Saturday morning from 9am, Georgia Ellis of Fettle & Birch leads a flowing, sculpting Dynamic Pilates class against the calm of the vineyard. Bring a mat, a water bottle and yourself.
Flower Crown Workshop & Wine Tasting - £70
A 2.5 - 3 hour session with local artist Charlie Doodle designing your own flower crown, followed by a guided tasting of three Everflyht wines, a mini cheese board and a vineyard tour.
Stargazing Experience with a Professional Astronomer - £55
Begin at 7pm with a curated selection of Everflyht wines - often the Blanc de Noirs 2020 - then move under the South Downs sky with a professional astronomer and high-quality telescopes. The Downs are one of just five International Dark Sky Reserves in England. Approximately 2.5 hours; weather may force a short-notice reschedule.
Run to Wine at Everflyht - £60.29
A run-to-wine experience hosted at the estate.
Wild Cultures Workshop: Fermented Drinks - £55
A hands-on two-hour session with Wild Cultures brewing kombucha, milk kefir and water kefir, with tastings and a gut-health deep dive.
Arm Knitting Workshop with Cocoon@Me - £56
Knit a throw or blanket using extreme chunky, vegan-friendly yarn and your arms as needles. Includes a glass of Everflyht to enjoy while you craft.
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop - £65
Local florist Bryony Mae Flowers leads a luxury moss-based wreath workshop in The Tasting Room, with tea, coffee, mince pies and a glass of Everflyht included.
Weddings, Space Hire and Getting There
Everflyht is quietly building a reputation as a wedding venue. Each hire is bespoke and intentionally limited, with exclusive-use options, curated wine packages and a setting framed by vines and the open South Downs countryside. The estate is also available for private and corporate hire, from brand launches and away days to intimate celebrations and creative shoots. Weddings and private hire are arranged directly with the team to confirm availability, package details and timing.
If you would rather not drive, the estate is served by Shuttle & Vine and by the famous Great British Wine Tours Vintage Bus, with regular scheduled departures from Brighton and Burgess Hill stations and exclusive group options.
The Murmuration Wine Club
Murmuration is the Everflyht wine club, named for the starling murmurations that visit the estate. Members receive seasonal bottle selections in May and November, complimentary delivery on shipments, the option to collect in person at The Collection - a twice-yearly members' event held at the estate - and 10% off all additional wine purchases. Three tiers are available:
- M (Monthly £20 / Yearly £240) - 6 bottles a year: 2 on joining, 2 in May and 2 in November.
- MO1 (Monthly £25 / Yearly £340) - 9 bottles a year plus an invitation for three guests to The Collection.
- MO2 (Monthly £40 / Yearly £540) - 15 bottles a year, an invitation for three guests to The Collection, and a private tour & tasting for up to 8 people.
Memberships can be paid monthly or annually, with annual plans billed once a year at a slightly reduced rate. All three tiers also make thoughtful gifts via the dedicated Gifting range.
Regenerative Viticulture at the Estate
Since establishment, Everflyht has been on a pioneering journey towards regenerative viticulture. Soil management has focused on increasing organic matter within the soil structure to help restore biodiversity and sequester more carbon; an extensive range of cover crops is planted between the vines to support insect and pollinator populations through as many seasons as possible; grass is encouraged under established trees and the team has experimented with stumperies. Some 3.5 hectares have been set aside for biodiversity, planted with over 400 trees, integrated wildflower meadows and 800 metres of hedgerow around the estate.
Press and Recognition
The estate's profile has grown steadily alongside the wines. In June 2026, Cuvée Edition 3 NV was crowned English Sparkling NV Trophy Winner at the International Wine Challenge, judged blind against hundreds of the UK's most respected producers, taking a Gold Medal and 95 points. Ben Ellis described the timing as "incredibly significant," arriving in the estate's tenth anniversary year, while General Manager Luke Spalding - who has led the regenerative transition - called the wine "a true reflection of our vineyard practices, our values, and the meticulous work that goes into every stage of production." Everflyht has also been featured in Vineyard Magazine, in Jamie Goode's Wine Anorak, and in an interview with Babble Hove.
Plan Your Visit
Everflyht is at Beacon Road, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8XB. The sign at the road front is small; come out of Ditchling village along Beacon Road towards the South Downs and the estate is on the right just after the national speed limit signs. Turn up the access track, immediately left through the wooden Everflyht gates and follow the chalk track to the winery building. There is plenty of parking on the hard surface in front of the building.
The tasting room is open Saturday 11am - 5pm and Sunday 12pm - 5pm. Tours, tastings and experiences can be booked on 01273 457713 (messages only) or at [email protected], with membership enquiries sent to [email protected]. The estate is active on Instagram and Facebook.