Leonardslee Family Vineyards: A Sussex Sparkling Wine Estate with Heritage, Hospitality and Award-Winning Wines
Nestled in the rolling countryside of the Sussex High Weald with views stretching towards the South Downs, Leonardslee Family Vineyards has, in the space of just a few years, established itself as one of England's most talked-about sparkling wine producers. Founded by South African-born entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE and centred around a 15-hectare vineyard first planted in 2017, the estate released its debut wines in 2024 and within months was being lauded at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the International Wine Challenge and WineGB. Today the estate is a complete Sussex destination: a working vineyard, a tasting room, a Michelin-starred restaurant, two hotels, gardens, a sculpture trail and an 18-hole golf course.
The Story Behind the Label
The label of every Leonardslee bottle tells a story. Designed by Sussex artist Will Parr, it depicts a swallow, a symbol of owner Penny Streeter's journey between South Africa and England, and of the resilience that saw her rise from homeless accommodation to running a multi-national wine and hospitality group. Four smaller swallows on the label represent Penny's four children; the family's role in the venture is far more than symbolic.
In 2016, the Streeter family acquired the historic Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, undertaking the largest garden renovation in Europe over the past three decades and breathing new life into the Grade I listed landscape. Drawing on the winemaking expertise of her South African estate, Benguela Cove, Penny then planted vineyards at Leonardslee, continuing the estate's 200-year tradition of horticultural excellence. The winemaking team is led by South African winemaker Johann Fourie, supported by viticulturist Barry Anderson.
"We welcome you to Leonardslee to enjoy a glass of Sussex and take part in my family's vision for the future of sparkling wine." - Penny Streeter OBE
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is not a marketing line at Leonardslee; it shapes every vineyard decision. The estate holds the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain trade mark and operates under a regenerative viticulture programme that includes:
- Cover cropping - over 14 different plant varieties grow in the work rows, building organic matter and soil health.
- Minimal tillage - soil disturbance is kept to a minimum to preserve microbial life, water retention and nutrient cycling.
- Animal integration - Dolly sheep and Runner ducks are being introduced to reduce mechanisation and naturally control pests.
- Minimal inputs - pesticide and fertiliser use is kept as low as possible while protecting vine and soil health.
- Carbon reduction - every hectare is managed with the lowest possible carbon footprint.
The estate's sister restaurant, Restaurant Interlude, was awarded a Michelin Green Star in 2024, recognising the same philosophy in the kitchen - hyper-local sourcing from the estate's own gardens and woodlands, and a low-waste, nature-driven approach to gastronomy.
The Wines
The Leonardslee sparkling collection is currently built around three signature cuvées, all estate-grown and made in the traditional method. Whites are crisp and mineral, the rosé offers a distinctive South African twist, and the Reserve shows serious depth and ageability.
Leonardslee Blanc de Blancs 2020 - £60.00
A 100% Chardonnay from the chalky soils of the Sussex estate. Fermented and aged to highlight purity and finesse, the 2020 vintage offers bright lemon and stone fruit on the nose, a fine, persistent mousse and a long, mineral finish. Scored 94 points at the Decanter Vintage English Sparkling Panel tasting (July 2025), 92 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 and 90 points at the International Wine Challenge 2025. Buy the Blanc de Blancs 2020.
Leonardslee Brut Reserve 2021 - £39.50
A classic blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier, with 20% of the base wine aged in French oak and 6% reserve wine in the final blend. After 30 months on the lees, the result is a structured, bready, toasty sparkling with mouthwatering acidity. It was the highest-scoring wine in Decanter's panel tasting, earning 95 points and a string of "h" descriptors ("hedonistic", "layered", "long") from Masters of Wine. It also picked up 94 points at the IWC 2025 and a Gold Medal at the WineGB Awards 2025. Buy the Brut Reserve.
Leonardslee Brut Rosé 2021 - £39.50
A pale, expressive rosé that blends 56% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Meunier and a striking 10% Pinotage, a direct nod to the Streeter family's Benguela Cove roots and a rare sight in English sparkling wine. The judges described it as "bright and fresh, light autolysis worked well, great energy with great citrus and good typicity". Scored 92 points at Decanter, 90 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards and 90 points at the IWC. Buy the Brut Rosé.
Leonardslee Collection - £136.00
The complete trio, one bottle each of the Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé and Brut Reserve, presented together. A popular gift choice and the easiest way to compare the three styles side by side. Buy the Collection.
Spirits, Pantry & Lifestyle
Beyond wine, the estate produces a small but considered range of Leonardslee Spirits and a generous pantry and homewares offering.
Spirits
- Leonardslee Gin - £34.00. A London Dry-style gin distilled with botanicals inspired by the estate gardens.
- Leonardslee Vodka - £34.00. A clean, characterful vodka from the same distillery.
- Leonardslee Botanical Garden Gin (100ml) - £9.50. A miniature, perfect for tasting or gifting.
Pantry & Bakery
The Pantry collection showcases small-batch Sussex produce, much of it made on or near the estate:
- Butter Shortbread Tube - £5.00
- Mature Cheddar Savoury Biscuits - £5.00
- Butter Shortbread Buttons - £3.25
- Clotted Cream Fudge - £3.99
- Chocolate Chip & Cherry Cookies - £5.00
- Oats & Honey Biscuits - £5.00
- Toffee & Fudge Biscuits - £5.00
- Strawberry Preserve - £5.99
- English Breakfast Marmalade - £5.99
- Summer Blossom Honey - £5.99
- Pure Flower Honey - £5.99
- Jam & Spread Trio - £12.00
- Biscuit Selection Box - £5.99
- Luxury Biscuit Tin Set - £20.00
- Whole Bean Coffee (250g) - £5.99
Lifestyle & Gifts
The Lifestyle and Gifts collections lean heavily on the gardens' botanical and wallaby motifs:
- Leonardslee Gin Glass - £8.00
- Botanical Magnet - £2.99
- Wallaby Magnet - £2.99
- Botanical Pen - £5.99
- Floral Tea Towel - £4.99
- Floral Scarf - £16.00
- Botanical Notebook - £8.99
- Botanical Keyring - £3.99
- Wallaby Keyring - £3.99
- Embroidered Cap - £16.00
- Bamboo Travel Cup (Large) - £6.00
Standard delivery is £5.99 on orders under £75, with free UK shipping over £75. Wine orders under £75 carry a £10.25 delivery charge; wines over £75 ship free. EU and UK delivery are both available.
Wine Tasting & Vineyard Experiences
The estate runs two complementary programmes, tasting flights and masterclasses at Leonardslee Gardens (the historic estate), and immersive vineyard tours and tastings at Leonardslee Wine Estate (the working vineyard and hotel side). The full menu of experiences is available for advance booking.
Sparkling Wine Masterclass - £35 per person
A curated 45-minute tasting of the estate sparkling cuvées, hosted in the Grand Drawing Room of Leonardslee House by an in-house wine specialist. Expect to learn about traditional-method winemaking, the South African and Sussex terroir influences, and the family's sustainability story. Book here.
Sussex Sparkling Wine Flight - £15 per person
A self-guided tasting flight of the three signature cuvées (Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé, Brut Reserve), available daily from 11am in the tasting lounge. No booking required, perfect for spontaneous visits before a garden walk or lunch.
English Sparkling Wine Tutored Tasting - 45 minutes
Wednesday to Sunday at 11:00 and 17:00, hosted by a Leonardslee wine specialist in the Tasting Room at the Wine Estate. Booking required.
Vineyard Tour & Tutored Tasting - 2 to 3 hours
Wednesday to Sunday in summer (12:00 and 15:00) and winter (12:00). Climb aboard a comfortable golf buggy for a behind-the-scenes tour of the working vineyards, with insight into sustainable growing, harvesting and terroir, followed by a tutored tasting of the sparkling wines. The most immersive way to experience the estate.
Brunch, Vineyard Buggy Tour & English Sparkling Tasting - 2 to 3 hours
A relaxed morning format that combines a guided buggy tour and tasting with a Vineyard Kitchen brunch, available through the Cellar Door.
Tutored Wine Tasting & Two-Course Dinner - 3 hours
Ideal for late afternoon bookings with sunset dining, pairing the tutored tasting with a two-course seasonal menu at the Vineyard Kitchen.
Sparkling Wine Masterclass & Michelin-Star Lunch - 3+ hours
Combines the Masterclass in the Grand Drawing Room with a tasting-menu lunch at Restaurant Interlude. Available through the Cellar Door Experiences.
Ultimate Leonardslee Experience - overnight
An overnight stay for two at Leonardslee House, tasting-menu dinner at Restaurant Interlude, breakfast, optional early arrival to explore the gardens and rare after-hours garden access. Pricing varies by date; bespoke packages and gift vouchers are available on request via the Ultimate Experience.
Where to Stay
Two very different but equally stylish stays sit within the wider Leonardslee estate:
- Leonardslee House - a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion tucked inside the Leonardslee Gardens, with 10 individually styled suites, just steps from Restaurant Interlude. Ideal for romantic getaways and special-occasion dining.
- The Vineyard Hotel - a relaxed, refined 9-bedroom retreat nestled in the woodlands of the Wine Estate, with electric vehicle charging on site and immediate access to the vineyard, golf and tastings. Hotel guests can enjoy breakfast seven days a week from 07:30 to 10:00.
- A self-catering cottage sleeping eight sits within the estate too, offering a flexible option for families or groups.
Reservations can be made online: Leonardslee House and The Vineyard Hotel.
Where to Eat
The Vineyard Kitchen (Wine Estate)
The relaxed heart of the Wine Estate, serving brunch, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and Sunday roasts with views across the Sussex countryside. Seasonal two-course dining is priced at £30 per person and three courses at £36.50 per person, served Wednesday to Saturday from 17:00 (last table 19:30). Most produce is sourced from Horsham, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Surrey, and live music is performed on the first Friday of every month. Menus can be downloaded for brunch, Sunday lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Bookings: mannings-heath restaurant.
The Spike Bar (Wine Estate)
A casual bar at the Wine Estate for sandwiches, savoury pies and sweet treats, with afternoon tea available by pre-booking. Walk-ins welcome daily.
Restaurant Interlude (Leonardslee Gardens)
The fine-dining flagship, located within the historic Leonardslee House. Chef Jean Delport, a Great British Menu finalist, delivers a multi-sensory tasting menu inspired by the surrounding gardens, woodlands and kitchen gardens. Interlude holds both a Michelin Star and a Michelin Green Star, and was recently named Best Restaurant with Rooms of the Year in England 2025/2026. Lunch and dinner are available on select days and advance booking is essential via the Interlude reservations.
The Clocktower Café (Leonardslee Gardens)
A relaxed, walk-in café serving locally roasted coffee, fresh pastries, seasonal lunches and Leonardslee sparkling wine by the glass, with both indoor and courtyard seating. Open daily during estate hours.
Things to Do Beyond the Vineyards
- Art & Sculpture - the gardens host a major outdoor exhibition of monumental works by South African sculptor Anton Smit (including the iconic 7-metre "Faith" sculpture), alongside a rolling programme with the Surrey Sculpture Society. All sculptures are for sale.
- Mannings Heath Golf Club - two courses on site: the 18-hole Waterfall Course and the 9-hole Kingfisher Course, plus a driving range and tennis. Tee times via manningsheath.com.
- Weddings & Celebrations - Leonardslee Wine Estate is a Hitched Wedding Awards 2026 winner and a 2026 finalist at The Wedding Industry Awards, with both Winter Wonderland and year-round packages. Brochures are available for Winter Weddings and year-round Weddings.
- Venue Hire - meeting rooms for 12 to 100 delegates, with day-delegate, residential and team-building packages. A venue brochure is available.
What's On: Upcoming Events
Leonardslee runs a busy calendar of seasonal events. Upcoming highlights include:
- Evening Amongst the Vines - guided vineyard evenings on 14 August and 11 September 2026, from 18:00. Details.
- Casks & Vines - An Evening With Ole Bison Bourbon - bourbon tasting on 21 August 2026, arrival 18:00. Details.
- Summer Wine and Dine - 27 August 2026, 18:30 to 21:00, at the Vineyard Kitchen. Details.
- Murder Mystery Night - 31 October 2026, 18:00 to 21:30, a 1920s-themed three-course immersive dinner. Details.
- Fireworks Night - 5 and 6 November 2026, 17:00 to 21:00. Details.
- Chef's Seasonal Showcase 2026 - 13 November 2026, 18:30, a chef-led tasting event at the Vineyard Kitchen. Details.
- Winter Wine & Dine - 21 November 2026, 13:00 to 16:30. Details.
- Christmas Party Nights - 4, 5, 11 and 12 December 2026, with sparkling lights, festive décor and dancing. Details.
- Christmas Afternoon Tea with Santa - 19 and 20 December 2026, 12:00 to 15:00. Details.
- New Year's Eve Celebration - 31 December 2026, from 19:00. Details.
Recognition & Awards
- Decanter Vintage English Sparkling Panel Tasting (May 2025): Brut Reserve 2021 - 95 points; Blanc de Blancs 2020 - 94 points; Brut Rosé 2021 - 92 points.
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Brut Rosé 2021 - 90 points; Blanc de Blancs 2020 - 92 points.
- International Wine Challenge 2025: Brut Reserve 2021 - 94 points; Brut Rosé 2021 - 90 points; Blanc de Blancs 2020 - 90 points.
- WineGB Awards 2025: Gold Medal for the 2021 Brut Reserve.
- World's Best Vineyards 2025: debut entry at No. 56.
- Restaurant Interlude: Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star (2024); Best Restaurant with Rooms of the Year in England 2025/2026.
- Weddings: Hitched Wedding Awards 2026 Winner; The Wedding Industry Awards 2026 - Regional Finalist.
Visit Leonardslee
Leonardslee Wine Estate
Hammerpond Road, Mannings Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PG
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00
Phone: 0330 1235 891 · Email: info@leonardslee.co.uk
Leonardslee House & Gardens
Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP
Phone: 0330 123 5893
For general enquiries and bookings, the team can be reached on 0330 1235 891 or at info@leonardslee.co.uk. Media enquiries: press@leonardsleegardens.co.uk. The full range of wines, spirits, pantry items and gifts is available to buy online at the Leonardslee Shop.