Kinsbrook Vineyard: A Progressive West Sussex Wine Estate Run by the UK's Youngest Vineyard Owners
Tucked into the rolling West Sussex countryside at the corner of Coolham Road and West Chiltington Road in Thakeham, Pulborough, Kinsbrook Vineyard is one of England's most talked-about young wine estates. Run by husband-and-wife team Joe Beckett and Rebecca Dancer - among the youngest vineyard owners in the country - Kinsbrook has, in just a few years, become a destination that is equal parts winery, farm shop, restaurant, cellar door and holiday retreat.
Spanning a working vineyard, the Kinsbrook Farmhouse restaurant, a café-deli, an outdoor pizza bar, a wine shop, a campground and a private events venue, Kinsbrook is open seven days a week. The vineyard's ethos is built around two words: sustainability and inclusivity. Whether you arrive with a well-behaved dog, a curious toddler or a group of friends who know nothing about wine, the team will pour you a glass and make you feel at home.
Location and Setting
Kinsbrook sits on West Chiltington Road in the village of Thakeham, just outside Pulborough in West Sussex. The address - RH20 2RZ - places the vineyard deep in the heart of one of England's premier wine regions. Sat-nav users are warned that the postcode can be unreliable; the team recommends entering "Kinsbrook" or "Kinsbrook Vineyard, Restaurant, Deli and Shop" into Google Maps or Waze, where it will be found at the corner of Coolham and West Chiltington Roads.
The site is well connected to London and the South Coast. Billingshurst Station is the closest railway stop, with trains from London Victoria taking around an hour and a taxi from the station to the vineyard just 10 - 15 minutes. Pulborough Station is also on the same line, while Horsham Station offers the best onward connections and a taxi rank. There is plenty of free parking on site for drivers.
The People Behind Kinsbrook
Joe Beckett is the third generation of his family to work the land around Thakeham. He and Rebecca Dancer, who first met on the school bus, took over and replanted the family's vineyards and have since built Kinsbrook into a progressive lifestyle brand. Joe is one of the youngest vineyard owners in the UK, and the pair have been featured in The Independent, Vineyard Magazine, The Standard, Good Housekeeping, Great British Life, Absolutely Sussex and Sussex Express, among others.
The Wines
Kinsbrook produces a wide and growing range of still and sparkling wines, organised under three flagship labels: the KIN range (the more traditional, terroir-led wines), the Kith range (the funky younger sister line, beginning with Chough au vin) and a series of numbered vintage-driven blends such as 21, 22, and 23.
KIN Sparkling Wines
- KIN Sparkling White 2020 - £38. The flagship traditional-method sparkling blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from the 2020 harvest. Following vinification it spent a minimum of four years on lees, producing a wine of crisp orchard fruit, warm buttered bread and a fine, dry mousse.
- KIN Sparkling White 2019 - £40. The very first release from the 2019 vintage, made with fruit from The Orchard Site (planted in 2017). A 70/30 blend of Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, classed as a "dry" sparkling with apple and freshly-baked-bread notes.
- White from White 2020 - £39. Kinsbrook's first 100% Chardonnay traditional-method sparkling, a direct English translation of Blanc de Blancs. Minimalist, clean and built to age beautifully on cork.
- KIN Sparkling Rose 2021 - £40. A Pinot Noir-led sparkling rosé from a vintage punctuated by frost, heavy rain and low summer temperatures. Late September sunshine produced a beautifully balanced sparkling rosé.
- '0.' Zero Dosage - £40. A no-added-dosage sparkling made from the 2019 vintage. Bone dry, crisp and flavourful; the ABV remains 12%, so this is not an alcohol-free wine.
- Beckett's Rose 2016 - £70. Kinsbrook's first sparkling rosé, named after the Thomas à Becket rose bushes planted at the end of each vineyard row. Tasting notes of strawberries-and-cream and redcurrant sherbet. Suitable for vegans.
- Vintage Cuvée 2014 - £70. The premium cuvée blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, aged on lees since July 2015. Aromas of orchard fruit, toasted brioche and honeyed almonds.
KIN Still Wines
- Bacchus - £26 (2023 vintage). Floral elderflower, citrus notes, bright and dangerously drinkable.
- Bacchus 2022 - £32; Bacchus 2020 - £40; Bacchus 2019 - £50. A vertical of increasingly rare single-variety Bacchus releases.
- Chardonnay - £26 (2023). Unoaked, dry, with a creamy malolactic finish and pineapple-lassi character.
- Chardonnay 2022 - £30. Originally destined for sparkling, this still release captured the heatwave-ripened 2022 fruit at its peak.
- Pinot Rose - £26 (2023). Pale pink, fermented in stainless steel for 10 months; strawberry pavlova in a glass.
- Pinot Gris / Pinot Blanc - £26 (2023). A new limited-edition blend - light, citrusy and aromatically floral.
- Pinot Gris 2020 - £40; Pinot Gris 2019 - £60. Mouth-coating richness with orange peel and white-peach aromatics.
- Pinot Noir Rose 2022 - £32. Fine and floral with honeysuckle sweetness; tiny quantities only.
The Kith, NIMBY and Numbered Ranges
- 'One' - £26. 70% unoaked Chardonnay blended with 30% oaked Chardonnay and MLF. The first wine of the 2024 series. Toasted nuts, golden kiwi, luxe and rounded.
- 'Two' - £26. A peachy orange skin-contact rosé from Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir; texture and body driven by extended lees ageing.
- KIN 23 - £29. The famous "field blend" mixing six grapes - Bacchus, Reich, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.
- 22 - £30. A unique still blend "full of character and personality" designed to be shared with friends.
- 21 - £32. A limited-edition release born from a brutal 2021 vintage of frost, rain, humidity and hungry birds. Full of flavour despite the modest yields.
- 'ABC' Oaked Chardonnay - £32. 100% Chardonnay aged 13 months in new oak. Toasted buttery popcorn, vanilla, tonka bean. A deliberate provocation to the "Anything But Chardonnay" club.
- Chough au vin - £32. The first wine of the kith range. A Rondo red from the 2022 harvest, made using carbonic maceration in a Beaujolais nouveau style.
- 'NIMBY' Pinot Noir / Rondo - £29. A multi-vintage red blending 50% Rondo with 50% oaked Pinot Noir (2022 vintage, 13 months in French oak). Cherry and cassis, showcasing the new potential of English red wine.
Single bottles ship for £10; six bottles or more ship free within the UK. Most orders leave the warehouse within 5 - 7 working days, and Kinsbrook will only deliver to an adult aged 18 or over.
Tours and Tastings
Whether you are visiting for an afternoon or making a weekend of it, Kinsbrook offers a tour and tasting designed to be personal, engaging and informative. Lasting up to two hours, the experience begins with a welcome glass from the award-winning range before a guided walking tour of the vineyard and winery, a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process and the Kinsbrook story, and concludes with a tasting of three further wines paired with a seasonal small plate showcasing local produce.
Public Tour and Tasting
Public tour slots are released through Kinsbrook's online booking widget and book up quickly, especially during summer and harvest. Bookings can be made via the Acuity Scheduling page. After the tour, the team recommends booking a table in the restaurant to make a full day of it.
Private Tour and Tasting
Private tours and tastings can be arranged for any day of the week for £40 per person, with corporate and larger-party options available on request. Enquiries go to bookings@kinsbrookvineyard.com or by phone on +44 (0)1403 907800.
The Restaurant at Kinsbrook Farmhouse
Built in 2021 alongside Kinsbrook's first sparkling rosé release, Kinsbrook Farmhouse is the estate's showpiece cellar door. The Restaurant offers a lovingly curated, regularly changing menu of modern European plates using the best sustainably-sourced local produce.
- Monday - Tuesday: café and wine bar, 10:00am - 2:30pm, walk-ins welcome, order at the counter.
- Wednesday - Thursday: 10:00am - 3:00pm, breakfast 10 - 11am and lunch 12 - 2:30pm.
- Friday: 10:00am - 10:00pm, breakfast, lunch and dinner (6 - 8pm).
- Saturday: 9:00am - 10:00pm, the longest day, with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Sunday: 9:00am - 3:00pm, breakfast and lunch.
Booking is strongly recommended from Wednesday to Sunday and card details are taken at the time of booking to discourage no-shows. The restaurant is wheelchair friendly with lift access to the upper floor; service dogs and well-behaved pets are welcome throughout.
The Café Deli and Farm Shop
On the ground floor of Kinsbrook Farmhouse, the Café Deli and Grocery is open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. The deli serves takeaway coffee, pastries, sweet treats, light bites and the full Kinsbrook wine range by the glass or bottle, alongside a rotation of craft beers and ciders.
The grocery stocks carefully curated produce from the best sustainable local businesses - Sussex cheeses and charcuterie, freshly baked bread, homewares, gifts and Kinsbrook's own wines. Sample menus are available for café, weekday breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch.
The Pink Bar - Pizzas, Wine and Sunsets
Set just outside the farmhouse, The Pink Bar is Kinsbrook's laid-back outdoor pizza and wine bar, open every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm. Homemade seasonal pizzas are served alongside Kinsbrook wine by the glass or bottle, craft beer, cider and soft drinks, with live music on Sundays. There is no need to book - just turn up, grab a table and soak up the vineyard atmosphere. Sample pizza menus are available.
Camp Kinsbrook
New for summer 2026, Camp Kinsbrook brings overnight stays to the vineyard itself. Available on Fridays and Saturdays throughout June, July and August (excluding the Summer Festival weekend and 6 June), each pitch accommodates one tent (tents are not included). Guests are asked to bring their own camping equipment, towels and essentials; no outside food, alcohol, fires or cooking is permitted, and no minors or pets are allowed.
The recommended itinerary: arrive from 2pm for check-in, take a tour and tasting, enjoy dinner in the restaurant, and fall asleep under clear countryside skies. Wake up to birdsong, breakfast on site and a walk through the gardens and vines. A separate campervan site is also available; camping must be booked alongside a restaurant reservation. Bookings are non-refundable but can be transferred to a new date.
The Wine Chatter - Kinsbrook's Wine Club
Inspired by the local choughs (a collective of which is called a "chatter"), the Wine Chatter is Kinsbrook's tiered wine club with three packages, all billed every four months via Go Cardless.
- Bronze - The Picketty Package - £85 per quarter. No joining fee, 3 bottles of still Kinsbrook wine three times a year, 5% off online Kinsbrook wine, plus 5% off single bottles or 10% off a case bought at the farmhouse.
- Silver - The Leon Package - £170 per quarter. 6 bottles of still and sparkling three times a year, 10% off online Kinsbrook wine, 10% off single bottles or 15% off a case, plus a complimentary vineyard tour and tasting for two.
- Gold - The Winemakers Package - £330 per quarter. 12 bottles of still and sparkling three times a year, 15% off online Kinsbrook wine, 15% off single bottles or 20% off a case, a complimentary tour and tasting for four, free tickets to a Kinsbrook Wine Masterclass, and 5% off at the farm shop.
All packages carry a one-year minimum commitment.
Events Calendar
Kinsbrook runs a packed calendar of seasonal events throughout the year. Full details and tickets are available on the events page.
Chef's Table I - Thursday 27 August 2026
The first in a new series of immersive winemaker dinners. The evening begins at 5:30pm with a twilight tour of the vineyard and gardens led by founder Joe Beckett, followed by canapés in the garden with a glass of something special and a talk from Head Chef Martin Price. From 7pm, guests sit down to an exclusive five-course winery dinner cooked entirely outside over fire, paired with barrel, tank and unreleased-wine tastings. Only 12 seats are available; allergens and dietary requirements cannot be accommodated for this event. Tickets are available via the Chef's Table page.
Harvest Festival 2026 - Saturday 5 September 2026
The annual celebration of the year's harvest runs from 11am to 6pm with music, food, wine and harvest-themed games for all ages. Early bird tickets are available through the Harvest Festival page.
Christmas Market 2026 - Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026
A gathering of favourite local brands and suppliers celebrating all things Christmas. Entry is free; details will be released closer to the date.
Summer Festival 2027 - Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July 2027
Two days of music, food and fun. Early bird tickets are coming soon.
Weddings and Private Hire
Kinsbrook offers spaces for both intimate weddings (with private exclusive hire and locally sourced catering) and larger celebrations supported by a curated wedding directory of local suppliers. The estate cannot host legally binding ceremonies at present, but the team will shape the day around the couple. The private hire page covers birthdays, anniversaries, hen and stag parties, corporate events and wellness retreats, with both the upstairs restaurant and the vineyard-facing decking available.
Vouchers and Gifts
Kinsbrook vouchers can be used at Kinsbrook Farmhouse (restaurant, shop or deli) until the value runs out, or as a tour-and-tasting experience for two. Monetary vouchers are sold through Newbridge Vouchers, while tour-and-tasting vouchers are sold via the Kinsbrook website.
Sustainability, Dogs and Accessibility
Sustainability is at the heart of every decision at Kinsbrook. The vineyard favours sustainable and regenerative growing practices; the kitchen sources from local Sussex producers; Kinsbrook's wider region is one of the most ecologically exciting in the UK, with the choughs and other rare wildlife a regular sight from the deck. Dogs are welcome in the restaurant, the deli, the Pink Bar and around the vineyard. The building is wheelchair friendly, with a lift to the upstairs restaurant and accessible toilets.
Getting There and Staying Over
For those planning a weekend in West Sussex wine country, Kinsbrook has curated a list of recommended places to stay within 30 minutes' drive, ranging from digital-detox cabins at Unplugged and off-grid domes at Zephyr Domes to Woodshill Byres Farm Cottages, the Welldiggers Arms in Petworth and the five-star South Lodge Hotel & Spa. Local taxi firms recommended by the team include AAA2b, MJ Cars and South Downs Taxis.
Press and Recognition
Kinsbrook has been widely covered in the national and regional press, including Good Housekeeping's monthly food round-up ("sensational English sparkling wine"), The Independent ("8 of the best UK vineyards to visit during harvest season"), The Standard's best English white wines feature, and Vineyard Magazine's pieces on the launch of '21' and the first red wine, Chough au vin. Sussex Modern's Sussex Wine People feature profiles Joe and Rebecca's journey from school-bus acquaintances to one of Sussex's most exciting young estates.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you come for a single glass of chilled sparkling on the deck, a tasting flight in the cellar, a long lunch in the farmhouse restaurant, an overnight camp among the vines or a full weekend immersed in West Sussex wine country, Kinsbrook offers one of the most welcoming and progressive wine experiences in England.