Highweald Wine Estate: Award-Winning English Sparkling & Still Wines from Sussex
Nestled within the rolling Sussex countryside of the High Weald National Landscape, Highweald Wine Estate has emerged as one of England's most compelling boutique wine producers. With 63 acres of vines, a talented team of winemakers and vineyard hands, and a string of major accolades from the International Wine Challenge, Highweald crafts both traditional-method sparkling wines and terroir-driven still wines that put Sussex firmly on the global wine map.
The Highweald Story
Highweald Wine Estate began in 2016 with a bold vision: plant 120,000 vines across the rolling hills of the Sussex High Weald - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and set out to craft world-class English sparkling wines without compromise. The first harvest arrived in 2018, and the results spoke for themselves. In its debut year of release, Highweald was awarded Best Wine in First Year of Production, alongside both the English Sparkling Trophy and the Non-Vintage English Sparkling Trophy at the 2022 International Wine Challenge - recognition that affirmed the quality the team set out to achieve from the very start.
From the outset, sustainability has been central to the estate's philosophy. Highweald is a proud member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain, with low-intervention viticulture, hand-tended vines, wildflower meadows, bat boxes, bird habitats and flourishing hedgerows all working together to support biodiversity and protect the land for future generations.
The People Behind the Wines
What makes Highweald distinctive is not only the land but the team that works it. The estate is led by a group of passionate individuals whose personalities are woven into every bottle.
Neil - Managing Director
Neil is the first to admit he's new to the world of making wine - but not to drinking it. A committed fan of Highweald Sparkling Rosé NV, he swapped decades of leading major drinks brands for the thrill of English winemaking. With serious commercial experience and an easygoing, people-first style, he has become central to steering the estate through its next phase of growth.
Eve - Hospitality Manager
Born and raised in Sussex, Eve trained as a sommelier, earned her WSET Level 3, and travelled Europe tasting her way through its vineyards. She leads behind-the-scenes tours and relaxed, tutored tastings designed to make great wine feel welcoming rather than pretentious. Her favourite Highweald wine is the Wild Ferment Chardonnay - "England's answer to the Mâconnais," as she puts it.
Colm - Head Winemaker
Colm swapped a Chemistry degree for a life spent coaxing brilliance out of grapes. After winemaking adventures in New Zealand, California, Australia and France, he brought his globe-trotting expertise home to Sussex. Obsessed with trying new ideas and pushing English wine forward, Colm leads the production of every Highweald wine, from the multi-vintage sparklers to the limited-release wild-ferment Chardonnays.
Max - Assistant Vineyard Manager
Max brings years of vineyard experience to the team, paired with an easygoing, bird-obsessed energy. A committed ornithologist, he can tell you the Latin name of any bird you didn't ask about - and will insist on introducing you to the estate's resident white robin.
Gary - Winery & Vineyard Operative
Gary's journey with Highweald began behind the wheel as a delivery driver before he became an integral part of the production team. As comfortable out in the vineyard under blazing sunshine as he is in the winery when the rain drums on the roof, Gary is the practical, unflappable engine room that keeps the estate running.
Simon - Business Development Manager
Born in Brighton, Simon began in tech before backpacking through vineyards in New Zealand and Oregon. After studying in Hawke's Bay and making wine in Marlborough, he returned home to Sussex - and today he takes greatest pleasure in introducing English wine to an increasingly appreciative audience at home and abroad.
Tilly - Director of Mischief
Tilly is the unofficial boss of Highweald - a four-legged tornado of enthusiasm who believes every vineyard row exists purely for her zoomies. Her favourite wine? Anything you're trying not to spill.
The Vineyards
Highweald draws fruit from three distinct sites, each contributing its own character to the final blends.
Highweald Vineyard
Set across the rolling Sussex ridgelines, the flagship Highweald Vineyard benefits from clay-rich soils, excellent natural drainage, and long, even sunlight. These conditions allow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to ripen slowly and develop purity of flavour. The elevation and cooling breezes preserve acidity, giving the sparkling wines their hallmark freshness, structure, and finesse.
Lake Street Vineyard
Sheltered in the rain-shadow of Crowborough Hill, Lake Street Vineyard's clay-loam and sandstone soils create an ideal environment for Chardonnay. South-facing exposure and a slower ripening season allow nuanced flavours - stone fruit, blossom and subtle spice - to emerge with clarity, supporting Highweald's most elegant still wines.
Alder Ridge Vineyard
Set on the chalky slopes of the North Wessex Downs, Alder Ridge Vineyard benefits from south-facing aspects, free-draining chalk soils and long, gentle sunlight. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Précoce ripen slowly here, producing sparkling wines with hallmark freshness and fine mineral character.
Sustainability at the Core
The team farms with a light touch, prioritising soil health, low-impact practices and responsible stewardship of the land. Every decision - from canopy management to harvest timing - is made to protect the vineyard for future generations while elevating the purity of the wines.
The Sparkling Wine Collection
Born from the same exceptional High Weald vineyards, Highweald's sparkling wines capture the finesse and energy that define England's finest bubbles. Crafted with patience using traditional methods, the collection celebrates bright, expressive, and unmistakably Highweald character.
Highweald Brut Reserve NV
The flagship multi-vintage blend combines 56% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Noir and 20% Meunier, aged 18 months on lees. Aromas of green apple, citrus zest and subtle brioche rise from the glass, leading to a crisp, refined palate with fine bubbles and bright acidity. Multi award-winning and highly rated on Vivino. £84.00 (regular price £105.00). Order the Brut Reserve NV online.
Highweald Rosé NV
A celebratory blend of 59% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Noir and 20% Meunier, aged 24 months. Lifted aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant and rose petal lead into a lively, finely balanced palate. £38.00. Order the Rosé NV online.
Blanc de Noir 2022
A precise 77% Pinot Noir and 23% Pinot Meunier blend, whole-bunch pressed with minimal colour pickup. Eighteen months on lees develop subtle brioche notes beneath youthful, vibrant red fruit. A one-off vintage release with crisp red apple, chalky minerality and citrus zest. £42.00. Order the Blanc de Noir 2022 online.
The Still Wine Collection
Rooted in the ancient soils of the High Weald, Highweald's still wines showcase the purity and precision that come from an exceptional vineyard. Slow-ripened fruit, hand-tended vines, and a cool English climate combine to create wines with natural elegance, freshness and depth.
Ghyll Valley White - Multi Vintage
A bespoke blend of 72% Bacchus, 18% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Gris drawn from the best parcels across multiple seasons. Fresh greengage, white peach and elderflower lead into a crisp, balanced finish. £18.00. Order the Ghyll Valley White online.
Lake Street Chardonnay 2022
A single-vineyard Chardonnay from the clay-loam slopes of Lake Street Vineyard, sheltered in the rain-shadow of Crowborough Hill. Aromas of peach, apricot and lime blossom lead into a smooth, elegant palate shaped by 12 months in seasoned French barriques. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. £18.00. Order the Lake Street Chardonnay 2022 online.
Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2023
A limited-release Chardonnay from Dijon clones 76 and 95, fermented naturally on wild yeasts and aged twelve months in neutral barriques. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. White peach, green papaya, acacia and subtle cedar spice, with bright russet apple acidity. £25.00. Order the Wild Ferment Chardonnay online.
Hickstead Rosé 2023
A still rosé crafted from Pinot Noir (including Précose) and Pinot Gris. Soft strawberry, raspberry and a whisper of summer herbs are lifted by a fresh, floral edge, with a crisp, dry and finely balanced palate. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. £18.00. Order the Hickstead Rosé 2023 online.
White Collection Case
A curated trio of Sussex whites: two bottles each of Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2023, Lake Street Chardonnay 2022 and Ghyll Valley White. Six bottles, three expressions, one unmistakable sense of place. £91.50 (regular price £122.00). Order the White Collection Case online.
Build Your Own Case
For those who prefer to curate their own selection, Highweald offers a flexible 6-bottle box builder, a 12-bottle case (10% off), and a 24-bottle case (20% off), mixing still and sparkling wines from across the range.
Gifting & Celebration Collection
For milestones and special moments, each of the wines above is also available in a luxury Highweald gift box. The current range includes:
- Highweald Brut Reserve NV Gift Box - £40.00
- Highweald Rosé NV Gift Box - £42.00
- Blanc de Noir 2022 Gift Box - £47.00
- Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2023 Gift Box - £30.00
- Hickstead Rosé 2023 Gift Box - £23.00
- Ghyll Valley White Multi Vintage Gift Box - £23.00
- Lake Street Chardonnay 2022 Gift Box - £23.00
The full gifting collection covers everything from weddings and anniversaries to thank-yous and corporate gestures.
Tours & Tastings
Set across 63 acres of vines in the heart of the High Weald National Landscape, Highweald offers two expertly hosted experiences that give visitors a fascinating insight into the world of English sparkling and still wines.
Tour & Tasting - £25
A 90-minute guided experience starting in the Garden Bar before heading into the vines for a guided walk through the life cycle of a vine. Guests then receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery - including the Traditional Method of sparkling wine production - and conclude with a tutored tasting of four award-winning wines overlooking the vineyard.
Meet The Maker - £35
A 120-minute deep dive into the winery led by Colm, the Head Winemaker. The session covers pressing regimes, fermentation choices, blending decisions, lees ageing and disgorgement, with a guided tasting of four award-winning wines paired with locally sourced cheeses.
Bookings can be made via the online booking system or the Experiences section.
Planning Your Visit
- Address: Highweald Wine Estate, Deak's Lane, Ansty, Haywards Heath, RH17 5JB.
- Parking: Free on-site parking; no coach facilities.
- Dogs: Welcome on a lead.
- Children: Tours & tastings are for guests aged 18 and over.
- Footwear: Suitable shoes are recommended as the tour crosses uneven vineyard ground.
- Getting there: A short taxi from Haywards Heath Station is recommended. The estate's recommended taxi partners are Station Taxis, Haywards Heath Taxis, Prime Taxis, Smith Taxi, and G Taxis.
Garden Bar & Cellar Door
Pull up a chair among the vines at the Garden Bar, where the full Highweald range is served by the glass or bottle with uninterrupted views across the Sussex countryside. The Cellar Door offers estate exclusives and prices available only at the winery. The Garden Bar & Cellar Door is open Friday to Sunday, 11am - 5pm.
Private & Corporate Events
For occasions that call for somewhere special, Highweald's Garden Bar is available for exclusive private hire - both inside and out - surrounded by vines with the Sussex countryside as the backdrop. From milestone birthdays to intimate gatherings, few settings leave an impression quite like a working wine estate. The estate also offers corporate packages for client entertaining and team experiences, plus wines for events and corporate gifting. Contact: info@highwealdwine.com.
Online Presence
Highweald shares news of new releases, events and tastings on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.