Newick Wine Estate: A New Sussex Vineyard with Old Ambitions
Tucked into the rolling countryside of East Sussex, Newick Wine Estate is one of England's most promising new wine producers. From a 20-acre south-facing vineyard on a 55-acre farm, Charlotte and Jonathan Sharpe and their small team craft small-batch still and sparkling wines from 37,000 vines, with their inaugural releases arriving in summer 2026.
The estate is the culmination of a long-held conviction: that the sheltered, south-facing slopes at Ketches Farm in the heart of Sussex could produce wines every bit as expressive and elegant as those from the world's great cool-climate regions. What began as a 2021 terroir study became a working vineyard in spring 2023, and now, with a first successful harvest behind them, the family is preparing to share their wines with the world.
The Story of Ketches Farm
The Sharpe family came to Ketches Farm in 2007, drawn by the quiet elegance of the Sussex countryside and the sense of history embedded in the land. For years the fields continued their long agricultural role, gently grazed by sheep and shaped by centuries of careful use. The idea of a vineyard did not arrive as a single lightbulb moment but rather as a confluence of factors that came together during the long months of the COVID-19 lockdown.
"COVID played a factor, giving us enforced time at home and the space to reflect on what we might do for the next twenty years or so," explains Jonathan. With their three children now grown and an established life in the village, the couple asked themselves what they really wanted from the next chapter. The answer, it turned out, was already beneath their feet.
In 2021 they commissioned an independent study to assess the vineyard potential of Ketches Farm. Completed that summer, the findings confirmed what intuition had long suggested: the combination of soil composition, elevation, aspect and microclimate made this a remarkable site for viticulture. The land had the rare natural balance required to grow high-quality vines and produce wines of real distinction and longevity.
A Village Steeped in Heritage
Newick is an ancient village, established before the Domesday Book and lying on the historic A272, midway between Winchester and Canterbury. For centuries the village has been associated with quality and craftsmanship. Once renowned for its fine ladies' gloves, Newick later flourished as a centre for premium soft-fruit production. Its fertile soils and mild climate supported extensive market gardens producing blackcurrants, strawberries and the celebrated "Newick Leveller" dessert gooseberries. Ketches Farm was at the heart of this fruit-growing legacy, its land contributing to the village's long reputation for excellence.
Today, the vineyard represents a natural evolution of that tradition, translating it for a new era through the cultivation of vines. It is, as the estate puts it, "a marriage of provenance, patience and purpose, dedicated to crafting elegant English wines that reflect both place and pedigree."
The Terroir of Newick
Terroir is the foundation of every great wine, and at Ketches Farm the elements are unusually well aligned. The vineyard occupies approximately 20 acres of the 55-acre estate, carefully positioned to take full advantage of the upper, south-facing slopes. This elevated setting captures both light and warmth, creating ideal conditions for slow, even ripening.
The highest point of the vineyard reaches 48 metres above sea level, benefiting from natural shelter provided by surrounding woodland and Cornwall's Bank to the south. Together, these features offer protection from prevailing winds and help maintain a favourable microclimate that distinguishes the site. The vines themselves do not like being too exposed to wind, and the natural topography gives the team one less variable to worry about.
Soils and Microclimate
The vineyard sits on soils derived from the Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation: free-draining, low in clay, and quick to respond to sunlight. These soils warm rapidly in spring due to their low water content, encouraging early vine activity and consistent ripening. In the glass, they tend to produce wines with a softer, more open fruit profile than the tightly structured, high-acid expression typical of chalk-based sites.
For the Newick team, terroir is not only shaped by soil and climate but by the human hand. The soil biodiversity was enriched by several tonnes of horse manure at planting and then maintained with biomass created within the vineyard specifically to feed this powerful underground community. Above ground, and during the growing season, as few physical and chemical interventions as possible are made in order to disturb nature and create a self-sustaining system. The result, the team hopes, are wines that genuinely translate the character of the vintage into the glass.
Planting the Vines
Just over 37,000 vines have now been established at Ketches Farm, thoughtfully planted to reflect both classical tradition and long-term versatility. The vineyard is composed of approximately:
- 44% Chardonnay (around 15,000 vines)
- 30% Pinot Noir (around 12,000 vines)
- 13% Pinot Meunier (around 5,000 vines)
- 13% Bacchus (around 5,000 vines)
While the varietal mix is classic for high-quality sparkling wine, the clone selection has been made with broader ambition. It offers the team the ability to craft not only refined sparkling cuvées but also elegant, site-driven still wines that fully express the character of the land. Over 20 clones of these four varieties are now growing on the estate, producing grapes with subtly different characteristics depending on the season.
The vineyard's first harvest took place in 2025, marking an important milestone in the estate's short history. The inaugural still wines will be released in early summer 2026, with a limited-edition Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine anticipated for 2028 - a wine that the team believe will set the benchmark for the estate.
Regenerative Viticulture in Practice
From the very beginning, the focus at Newick has been on investing in the production of exceptional fruit. Guided by the belief that great wine can only be made from great grapes, every decision in the vineyard is made with quality as the priority. The Sharpes are equally committed to managing Ketches as a sustainable and regenerative vineyard, with deep respect for the wider environment and a long-term view of caring for the land for generations to come.
The team follows a Guyot pruning system across all blocks in 2026, a cane-replacement approach well suited to young vines. They delay winter pruning into March on the most frost-prone parcels, buying valuable time before budburst, and use late spring grass sward management to give the soil every chance to store and release heat during radiation frost events. These small interventions, alongside the use of traditional frost candles on the cold nights of April and May, are all part of a holistic approach to coaxing the very best from the vines.
The Annual Cycle
Winter pruning is the second-largest operation in the vineyard's annual cycle, both in time and resources. At Newick, pruning a single vine takes approximately 20 to 40 seconds, meaning that across 37,000 vines the team spends roughly 300 hours pruning each winter, with a further 500 hours required for associated winter tasks. Decisions about when to prune are governed by three factors: weather conditions (damp weather increases the risk of trunk diseases such as Esca, Eutypa and Botryosphaeria), frost risk (late pruning can delay budburst by up to two weeks), and labour availability. In practice, the team prunes during dry weather windows, switches to alternative winter work during wet periods, and sequences pruning from lower-risk areas to frost-prone sections, which are left until March where possible.
The Wines of Newick Wine Estate
The first three wines from Newick Wine Estate mark the beginning of what promises to be a long and fascinating journey. Each wine is a small-batch reflection of the estate's south-facing slopes, its free-draining sandstone soils and the very particular microclimate of the Sussex High Weald.
Across the range, the house style is built on balance, elegance and freshness. Whether the bottle is a fragrant Bacchus, a summer rosé or a future Pinot Noir, the philosophy is the same: cool fermentation, restrained extraction and a willingness to let the vintage speak for itself.
Bacchus 2025
The inaugural white from Newick Wine Estate is a textbook cool-climate Bacchus. Aromas of elderflower and citrus meet a clean mineral finish for a wine that is effortlessly refreshing. Made from the 5,000 Bacchus vines planted on the estate, it captures the variety's signature aromatic lift without becoming overpowering, and the bright, stony finish offers a long, savoury close that makes it as versatile at the table as it is on its own.
The estate recommends serving it chilled and pairing it with white meat, seafood or, as they put it, simply good company. Bacchus 2025 is priced at £19.95 per bottle and is available to order online, with a 10% discount offered on orders of six bottles or more alongside free postage.
Rosé 2025
The estate's first rosé is a celebration of balance and simplicity. A balanced blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it delivers bright notes of wild strawberry and redcurrant and a crisp, dry finish for effortless refreshment. Made in a pale, elegant style, it leans into the red-fruit character of the two Pinots while retaining the saline, mineral edge that comes from the Tunbridge Wells sand soils.
The winemakers suggest serving it chilled alongside light dishes or seafood, or simply enjoyed on its own on a warm afternoon. Rosé 2025 is priced at £21.50 per bottle.
Pinot Noir 2025
The first red wine from Newick Wine Estate is still in barrel, awaiting its release. Members of the Founders Club enjoy early access to the limited release ahead of the general public. Given the strong flavour development recorded across all varieties in the 2025 vintage, expectations are high for this inaugural Sussex Pinot Noir.
Visit the Vineyard: Tours and Tastings
For visitors eager to walk the rows and taste the wines, Newick Wine Estate offers a guided tour and tasting led by the vineyard team. Priced at £20.00 per person, the experience begins with a tour of the 20-acre vineyard and concludes with a tasting of each of the wines currently in the range. It is an unhurried introduction to the estate, its terroir and its philosophy.
Tours run each Friday and Saturday at 11.30am throughout the summer, and private tours are available by appointment subject to availability. Bookings can be made directly via the tour and tasting booking, with enquiries routed to info@newickwineestate.co.uk.
The tour is also available as part of the Founders Club membership, which includes a tour voucher for four people alongside a case of wine and an invitation to the pre-opening event.
The Founders Club
For those who would like to be part of the Newick Wine Estate story from the very beginning, the Founders Club offers a particularly close relationship with the estate. Limited to just 50 members, the club is currently full.
Membership is priced at £199.00 per year and includes:
- One mixed case of six bottles of still wine
- A tour voucher for four people
- A Newick Wine Estate champagne stopper and corkscrew
- An invitation to the pre-opening event to meet the team, taste the wines and collect the first case
- An invitation to visit the vineyard during harvest, including the chance to pick some grapes
- Early access to new releases, including the limited-release Pinot Noir 2025
- A 10% discount on all further purchases and events
Prospective members can register their interest via the Founders Club booking, where they will be added to a waiting list.
The Team Behind Newick Wine Estate
Newick Wine Estate remains, at heart, a family project supported by a small and passionate team. Each member brings a unique set of skills and a shared commitment to producing the highest-quality wine possible from this corner of Sussex.
Charlotte and Jonathan Sharpe
Charlotte and Jonathan have lived at Ketches since 2007. Charlotte is a psychodynamic therapist, while Jonathan has spent his entire career in finance. Planting a vineyard at Ketches marks an exciting new chapter in their lives as they step into the world of viticulture and winemaking. Their vision is to produce hand-crafted, premium wines from their beautiful site in Newick - wines that reflect the character of the land and are enjoyed both by the local community and further afield.
"You can't make good wine from bad grapes, so we have been working hard over the last three years to tend each of our 37,000 vines to produce strong and healthy plants," Jonathan explains. "However, it is important not to be too greedy too soon and push the vines to produce more fruit than they can support in the early years." Above all, the couple hope the vineyard will be appreciated as a shared community resource - one that helps share the wines and spirit of Newick far and wide.
Jonathan is also the first point of contact for trade enquiries, reachable at jonathan.sharpe@newickwineestate.co.uk.
Charles, Vineyard Manager
Despite growing up in English wine country in the South East, and spending his summers at his family's home near the world-class vineyards of Bordeaux, it wasn't until his university years in Australia that Charles truly discovered his passion for viticulture. It was there that he became driven by the idea of growing grapes that hold up a mirror to the place and people from which they come.
On returning to the UK, Charles worked with several of the country's leading wine producers before going on to develop and manage the UK's first and only viticulture-specific apprenticeship programme at Plumpton College. Alongside this, his role on the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain Viticulture Advisory Committee, together with his involvement in cutting-edge research projects, has positioned him at the forefront of the UK's evolving wine landscape. These experiences, combined with a drive to produce truly world-class wines, ultimately led Charles to join Newick Wine Estate, where he continues to pursue his goal of crafting single-estate wines that authentically capture the spirit of the place in which they are grown.
Linus, Vineyard Apprentice
Linus is the estate's vineyard apprentice, where he is developing his skills and knowledge across all areas of vineyard management. Before joining Newick Wine Estate, Linus spent three seasons at a leading English wine producer where his passion for viticulture grew. Originally trained in Audio Technology, Linus brings a practical mindset and an eye for detail to his work. He has an interest in sustainable vineyard management and how this can enhance the health of the vineyard and reflect the unique character of Newick Wine Estate's growing conditions.
"I found Newick Wine Estate to be an ambitious and forward looking wine estate and felt it was the perfect match to begin my career in vineyard management," Linus notes, "with the goal of contributing to the ongoing growth of excellent English wine."
From Vintage 2025 to Sparkling 2028
The 2025 growing season at Newick Wine Estate will be remembered as both the estate's first cropping year and an exceptional vintage. It was characterised by above-average heat and low rainfall, recording 1,088 growing degree days compared to 888 in 2024, alongside 507 mm of rainfall versus 807 mm the previous year.
Budburst occurred earlier than in many surrounding vineyards, taking place in the first week of April. Several frost events in April and May required active intervention with frost candles to protect the crop, but timely responses limited damage across the estate. Flowering conditions were excellent and progressed rapidly, resulting in reliable and even fruit set. Veraison took place in early to mid-August, allowing extended ripening through August and September.
Despite heavy rainfall later in September, along with pressure from wasps and spotted wing drosophila, the fruit achieved high levels of maturity. Flavour development was strong across all varieties, providing clean, expressive fruit well suited to the style of wines the team aim to produce.
Looking further ahead, the team anticipate the release of their first sparkling wine - a limited-edition Blanc de Blancs - in 2028, a wine they believe will set the benchmark for the estate. Made entirely from the estate's Chardonnay, this will be the first opportunity to taste the longer-term potential of the site in bottle, and a moment the family has been quietly working towards since planting the very first vines in 2023.
Plan Your Visit
Newick Wine Estate is located at Ketches Farm, just outside the village of Newick in East Sussex. The full address is Newick Wine Estate, Nr 46 Church Road, Newick, East Sussex, BN8 4JZ. The estate can be reached by telephone on 01825 720 840, and general enquiries can be emailed to info@newickwineestate.co.uk. Google Maps directions to Ketches Farm lead straight to the gate.
Wines can be ordered online, with the Founders Club waiting list and tour bookings available through the online shop. The winery is active on Facebook and @newickwineestate on Instagram, where the team shares regular updates from the vines and the cellar.
With its first wines landing in summer 2026 and a Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine on the horizon, Newick Wine Estate is a name to watch in the English wine story.