The Rowfant Vineyard: A Young West Sussex Estate Pouring Crisp English Bacchus
The Rowfant Vineyard is a young, family-run English vineyard tucked into the West Sussex countryside near Crawley Down, Turners Hill and Balcombe. Over 4,000 vines of the aromatic white variety Bacchus were planted in spring 2021 and now produce still and sparkling English wine, with the team welcoming visitors for tours and tastings, offering gift boxes and vine adoptions, and supplying local pubs and village fetes.
A West Sussex Vineyard in the High Weald
The vineyard sits in the wooded, rolling landscape of the High Weald, in that part of West Sussex that borders Surrey and the fringes of the Gatwick commuter belt. It is close to the villages of Crawley Down, Turners Hill and Balcombe, all of which have hosted the vineyard's stand at their summer village fetes. Despite being relatively new to winemaking, the team is part of the rapidly growing English wine scene, and their Bacchus has already picked up a Bronze Medal at the prestigious WineGB Awards.
The vineyard is, in the words of its founders, very much a family affair: planting, pruning, harvest and tours all rely on the help of family and friends. Visitors who walk among the rows are seeing the result of years of back-breaking work that began in 2020.
The Story So Far: From Field to First Wine
The story of The Rowfant Vineyard is one of methodical, hands-on progress, with the team's photographs capturing each step of the journey. It began in the summer of 2020, when the team marked out the edges of the site ready for planting in spring 2021. Over the winter of 2020 to 2021 they prepared the soil; the following April, with help from the Vineworks team, they planted just over 4,000 vines in a single early-spring day.
That first year was all about establishment. Stakes were driven in, rabbit guards fitted (to protect the young vines from the local population), and tall deer fencing erected, with the woodland setting bringing both challenges and charm. Trellising followed in July 2021, taking a full week but giving the vines the structure they would need to thrive.
The winter of 2021 brought snow and frost, welcome because the vines were dormant, but a reminder that a late spring frost after budburst can be a real worry. By June 2022 the vines were showing vigorous growth; there were no grapes yet, only roots and trunks being established. Then, in August 2023, came the milestone every new vineyard waits for: the first proper bunches of grapes. The 2023 harvest was modest, the team picked it largely for the experience, but it gave a glimpse of what was to come.
Spring 2024 brought pruning, tying down, and the first set of foliage wires. By September 2024 the vines were laden with grapes, and the October harvest yielded 2.5 tonnes, the first commercial-scale crop. Then came 2025, which saw one of the earliest UK grape harvests on record. A glorious start to the growing season gave way to wetter weather later on, but with the help of family and friends the team brought in 3.3 tonnes of fruit with "good ripeness, balanced acidity and plenty of promise for our still and sparkling wines to come."
The Wines: Crisp, Dry English Bacchus
Rowfant focuses on a single variety, Bacchus, the aromatic white grape that has become something of a signature for English winemaking. The flagship release so far is the Bacchus 2024, a crisp and dry white available as a single bottle (£17.50) or as a case of six (£94.50). It is described as "crisp and dry", with the bright, elderflower-and-grapefruit character that good Bacchus is known for.
The same wine won a Bronze Medal at the WineGB Awards, the national competition judged blind by leading industry experts including Masters of Wine Susie Barrie and Peter Richards. The award came during English Wine Week, making it a particularly proud moment.
Looking ahead, the team has announced that two new releases are coming soon: a 2025 still Bacchus and a 2024 Traditional Method sparkling Bacchus, the first fizz from the vineyard, expected in 2026.
The Shop: Gift Boxes, Cases and Merchandise
Wines and gift boxes can be ordered from The Rowfant Vineyard's online shop, which is small but carefully curated. As well as the still Bacchus wines, visitors can buy:
- Gift Box with Two Engraved Glasses, £39.50. A red presentation box containing one bottle of still Bacchus and two engraved Rowfant Vineyard wine glasses, "designed to impress, from the first glance to the final sip".
- Gift Box with One Engraved Glass, £33.50. A green presentation version of the gift box, with one bottle and one glass.
- Rowfant Vineyard Tote Bag, £5.99.
- Bacchus 2024 Single Bottle, £17.50.
- Bacchus 2024 Case of Six, £94.50.
Both gift boxes were introduced for the festive season, but their appeal extends well beyond Christmas, making them equally good housewarming, anniversary or birthday presents.
Adopt a Vine: A Unique Gift
One of the most distinctive offerings at The Rowfant Vineyard is the Adopt a Vine scheme, which lets supporters lease one or two vines for twelve months. Each package comes with a personalised slate tag on the vine, a welcome certificate, a 5% off voucher for future wine purchases, and, most importantly, bottles of the wine their vine helps to make.
Sparkling Wine Packages
- £35: one vine in your name, one bottle of the first sparkling Bacchus (due in 2026).
- £55: two vines, two bottles of the first sparkling Bacchus.
Still and Sparkling Mix
- £49: two vines, two bottles (one still and one sparkling).
Still Wine Packages
- £25: one vine, one bottle of still Bacchus.
- £39: two vines, two bottles of still Bacchus.
Existing adopters can renew by simply repurchasing the option they want. Certificates are dispatched as soon as payment is received, and the team accepts payment by bank transfer to:
- Account: The Rowfant Vineyard
- Account no: 77615142
- Sort Code: 04-00-03
Orders can also be arranged by email at info@therowfantvineyard.co.uk, with the chosen option, the lease name, the recipient's address (for the certificate), and the sender's email.
Vineyard Tours and Tastings
For the first time, The Rowfant Vineyard has opened its doors for a season of vineyard tours and tastings. Visitors can walk among the vines, hear the story behind the wines, and enjoy a tasting overlooking the vineyard. Full details and booking are available through the vineyard's Tours & Tastings.
If looking for a gift, the vineyard also offers a Tour & Tasting Voucher, redeemable on any tour and tasting, and a "little different" present for a wine-loving friend.
Events and What's On
Although the vineyard itself is small and young, it has been remarkably active in its local community. Recent event appearances include:
- Crawley Down Village Fayre, where the team had "a fantastic day meeting so many of you" and is already looking forward to next year.
- Turners Hill Village Fete, Sunday 19 July, 12 - 5pm, with the vineyard selling its wine.
- Balcombe Village Fete, Saturday 11 July, 12 - 5pm, at Balcombe Recreation Ground, where the stand offered a chance to learn more about what Rowfant does.
- Christmas Tree Festival at St Leonard's Church, Turners Hill, Saturday 13 December, 10am - 5pm, with a glass of wine and wine sales in the Church Hall.
The vineyard has also partnered with Into The Wilderness Floristry on a festive Christmas wreath-making workshop, complete with a glass of Rowfant Vineyard Bacchus to sip on while creating.
Local Stockists: The Haven Lounge & Bar
Rowfant wine can also be enjoyed locally at The Haven Lounge & Bar in Crawley Down, described by the vineyard as "just one mile away from the vineyard… you can't get more local than that." It's an endorsement of both the wine and the local hospitality scene, and means a glass of Rowfant Bacchus is never far away for visitors to the area.
Awards and Recognition
The standout external accolade so far is the Bronze Medal at the WineGB Awards, announced during English Wine Week. The WineGB Awards are the national competition for English and Welsh wines, judged blind by a panel of leading industry experts. With a record number of entries that year, the medal marked a significant moment for the young vineyard. As the team wrote: "A proud moment for our vineyard."
Plan Your Visit
Whether you are a local looking for a new weekend experience, a wine enthusiast exploring the south of England, or hunting for a unique gift, The Rowfant Vineyard offers several easy ways to engage:
- Book a tour and tasting through the vineyard's Tours & Tastings.
- Buy a voucher for someone else, redeemable on any tour and tasting.
- Adopt a vine at one of five price points.
- Order wine or a gift box from the online shop.
- Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
The Rowfant Vineyard may be one of England's newer wine producers, but with a Bronze Medal in the trophy cabinet, a sparkling wine due imminently, and an enthusiastic local following, it is well worth a visit, and an even better one to follow as it grows.