Off The Line Vineyard: Award-Winning English Rosé in the Sussex Weald
Off The Line Vineyard: Award-Winning English Rosé in the Heart of the Sussex Weald
Nestled on a beautiful south-facing site in the lower slopes of the Sussex Weald, Off The Line Vineyard has quietly become one of England's most distinctive boutique rosé producers. First planted in 2014 and now home to six hectares of vines alongside a purpose-built, cedar-clad winery, the vineyard is a working estate where sustainability, biodiversity and a passionate belief in English rosé winemaking come together in every bottle. Off The Line produces both still and sparkling rosé wines of real originality and style, and welcomes visitors throughout the year to its Cellar Door, Off The Vine wine bar, for tours, tastings, seasonal food and a lively calendar of events.
The Story Behind the Name
The vineyard takes its evocative name from its location: it sits adjacent to the Cuckoo Trail, the popular traffic-free route that follows the trackbed of a former railway line once nicknamed the Cuckoo Line. In spring, the cuckoos return here to nest and their distinctive calls can often be heard across the vineyard - a small but fitting reminder of the wild, rural setting that the team has gone to great lengths to protect. Off The Line is, in its own words, "more than a business; we are a place within the countryside and part of a community respecting the environment at all times."
A Site Chosen for Quality
The 13-hectare (32-acre) estate was deliberately chosen for its south-facing slopes, which give the vines maximum exposure to the sun - a particular advantage in a marginal English climate. The site combines six hectares of vineyard with species-rich pasture land, ponds and natural woodland that bursts with bluebells every spring. This mosaic of habitats makes the estate rich in biodiversity, and gives the team a constant reminder that great wine begins in a healthy, living landscape.
The Vineyards and Grape Varieties
Plantings and Terroir
The first vines were planted in 2014 with a clear focus: red varieties that could be transformed into expressive, food-friendly English rosés. The original plantings are Pinot Noir, Regent, Dornfelder and Rondo, all chosen for their disease resistance and their ability to ripen on the best Sussex slopes. Reducing the need for pesticides is a major benefit of these varieties and fits squarely with the vineyard's sustainability ethos.
In 2023, a second phase of planting was completed, introducing more Pinot Noir together with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. This expansion will allow the team to diversify its wine offering over the coming years, with new sparkling wines and additional cuvées in development.
Hand-Harvested Fruit, Naturally Balanced
Every grape used in the Off The Line wines is hand-harvested, and the fruit is left to hang on the vine for as long as possible so that the acidity naturally drops to well-balanced levels. This is a particular challenge in England, where cool seasons can easily strip wine of ripeness and weight, but the south-facing slopes of the Sussex Weald allow it to be achieved consistently in the sunniest parts of south-east England. Each vintage is shaped by what the season delivers, with the winemaking team led by fruit quality rather than recipe.
The Winery: Sustainability Built In
A Purpose-Built, Cedar-Clad Facility
The winery itself is a striking example of thoughtful, sustainable design. Clad in cedar, it was conceived and built with energy efficiency in mind from day one. Grapes are pressed on site and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing precise control of aromatics and freshness. From there the wines are nurtured and matured before bottling.
Every detail has been considered with sustainability in mind:
- Careful insulation reduces overall energy usage.
- A state-of-the-art Bio-Bubble wastewater treatment plant processes all winery effluent using bacteria and oxygen.
- Grape skins and stems left over from pressing are composted on site.
- All prunings are mulched annually, returning nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
- No animal products are used in the winemaking process, so the wines are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Science, Technology and Creative Vision
The team blends modern winemaking technology with scientific understanding and a clear creative point of view. The result, they say, is "outstanding wines from each year's harvest which have a sense of place" - wines that are recognisably English, recognisably Sussex, and recognisably Off The Line.
The Wines
Off The Line's entire range is built around rosé, with both still and sparkling cuvées. The current line-up includes three still rosés, one sparkling rosé and a trio of gift options. Prices shown are inclusive of VAT; delivery within GB Mainland is free on orders of six bottles or more.
Still Rosés
Dancing Dog Rosé 2020
A playful still rosé from the established Off The Line range. From £17.75 per bottle. View Dancing Dog Rosé 2020.
Dog Rosé 2019
The earlier-vintage counterpart to Dancing Dog - a ripe, hand-harvested English rosé at the same accessible price point. From £17.75 per bottle. View Dog Rosé 2019.
Hip Rosé 2022
The most recent still rosé release in the portfolio, crafted in the same hand-harvested, vegan-friendly style. From £21.75 per bottle. View Hip Rosé 2022.
Sparkling Rosé
The Lady of Charmat NV
Off The Line's Charmat-method sparkling rosé, named after the winemaking technique that produces fresh, fragrant fizz with fine, persistent bubbles. From £30.00 per bottle. This cuvée regularly sells out fast, and subscribers to the vineyard newsletter are the first to hear about restocks. View The Lady of Charmat NV.
Gift Boxes
Off The Line Trio Gift Box
A premium presentation of three Off The Line wines in a single gift box - ideal for celebrations, thank-you gifts or simply introducing friends to English rosé. £50.00. View the Trio Gift Box.
Wine + Gift Box
A bottle of Off The Line wine paired with a complementary gift box. From £23.50. View Wine + Gift Box.
Visit Off The Line: The Cellar Door and Off The Vine Wine Bar
Off The Line Vineyard is a working vineyard and winery, and every visit offers an authentic glimpse into English winemaking. The estate's Cellar Door houses Off The Vine, an English wine bar that has become a destination in its own right.
What to Drink
Off The Vine offers a carefully curated selection of award-winning English wines. Alongside the estate's own still and sparkling rosés, the bar pours exceptional wines from fellow local producers, available by the bottle or by the glass. The drinks list is complemented by locally brewed beers from Harvey's, Lakedown and Gun, plus a selection of soft drinks.
What to Eat
The kitchen at Off The Vine serves seasonal cheese and charcuterie boards with freshly baked, on-site focaccia bread - a perfect match for the wines on offer. Stone-baked sourdough pizzas are also available throughout all Cellar Door opening hours. Together, food and wine make for an unhurried afternoon or evening at the vineyard.
Opening Hours
- Thursday: 12pm - 5pm
- Friday: 12pm - 8pm
- Saturday: 12pm - 8pm
- Sunday: 12pm - 5pm
Well-behaved dogs are always welcome. The vineyard is accessible on foot, by bike and on horseback via a gate that opens onto the Cuckoo Trail during opening hours. By car or bus, the vineyard is reached along the A267, North Street.
Vineyard Tours and Wine Tastings
For visitors who want to understand the vineyard in greater depth, Off The Line runs guided vineyard tours and wine tastings throughout the year. Tours depart at 12pm and 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays and include a walk around the quintessential English vineyard followed by a tasting of the estate's award-winning rosé wines and fizz.
Tickets cost £20.00 per person and can be booked online via the Vineyard Tour & Tasting booking. Other times may be available on request - email info@offthelinevineyard.com to arrange an alternative date or a private visit. Out of the main May - September tour window, appointments can also be made by emailing or calling the team on 01435 812 661.
Group Bookings and Private Visits
Set amongst the rolling countryside, the vineyard provides a unique setting for intimate gatherings, special celebrations, weddings, hen and stag parties, corporate events and bespoke experiences. Private visits and group bookings can often be accommodated by prior arrangement - the team is on hand to help create an occasion to remember.
Upcoming Events at Off The Line
The vineyard runs a lively programme of events beyond tours and tastings, taking advantage of its rural setting and the relaxed atmosphere of Off The Vine. Highlights of the current calendar include:
Sip & Paint
Every first Thursday of the month, 6 - 8pm. A relaxed creative evening with no painting experience necessary. The next occurrence is Thursday 6th August, running 6pm to 8pm.
DJ Night: Chilled Ibiza Sunset Vibes
Last Friday of each month, 6 - 10pm. Chilled DJ-led Ibiza sunset vibes at the cellar door. Upcoming dates: Friday 28th August and Friday 25th September.
Live Music: Riff n Western
Saturday 8th August, 6 - 9pm. Live music from Riff n Western - guests are encouraged to dust off their cowboy and cowgirl hats.
Live Music: Laura Lawton & Stuart Jackman
Sunday 30th August, 2 - 4pm. Jazz singer Laura Lawton and guitarist Stuart Jackman perform an afternoon set at the vineyard.
For the latest events, follow Off The Line on Facebook and Instagram.
How to Find Off The Line Vineyard
Address
Off The Line Vineyard
North Street
Hellingly
East Sussex
BN27 4EA
By Car, Bus or Bike
The vineyard is just off the A267, North Street. There is ample space to park on site. You can also access the vineyard on foot, by bike or on horseback via the gate that opens onto the Cuckoo Trail during opening hours (Thursday to Sunday).
By Train
Off The Line is not far from London. The nearest train stations are Polegate and Berwick, both of which have taxi ranks for the short onward journey to the vineyard.
Buying Off The Line Wines Online
The full range of Off The Line still and sparkling rosés, gift boxes and tour tickets can be purchased through the online shop. All prices are quoted in pounds sterling and are inclusive of VAT. Standard delivery to GB Mainland addresses costs £9.00 for orders of fewer than six bottles and is free on orders of six bottles or more; other destinations attract a surcharge. Bottles are packaged in inflatable bottle protectors to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, and all packaging is recyclable.
New customers can save 10% on their first order by subscribing to the Off The Line newsletter - the same subscription also brings first news of new product launches and updates from the vineyard.
Why Off The Line Stands Out
There are now many vineyards in England, but few are quite like Off The Line. The combination of a single-minded focus on rosé, a beautifully designed sustainable winery, hand-harvested fruit from carefully chosen varieties, and a cellar door with its own wine bar and kitchen makes the estate a complete visitor destination as well as a serious producer. Add in a thriving events programme, accessible tours and tastings priced at £20 per person, and a portfolio of wines - including Dancing Dog Rosé, Dog Rosé, Hip Rosé and the Charmat-method sparkling Lady of Charmat - all suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and you have a vineyard that is quietly rewriting what English rosé can be.
For anyone planning a wine-tasting trip in Sussex, a gift of English sparkling rosé, or simply a peaceful afternoon on the Cuckoo Trail, Off The Line Vineyard offers an experience that is genuinely rooted in place.