Stopham Vineyard: Precision English Wines in the South Downs
A Boutique English Vineyard in the South Downs
Tucked into the rolling landscape of the South Downs National Park in West Sussex, Stopham Vineyard is a small, family-run English wine estate built on the principle of "wine made with precision and passion." Set on free-draining sandy soil in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the vineyard combines traditional estate-grown fruit with state-of-the-art winemaking technology, producing still whites and elegant sparkling wines that have earned a loyal following in the south east of England and beyond.
The vineyard takes its name from the tiny hamlet of Stopham, close to the market town of Pulborough. From a modest planted site to a fully-fledged working winery complete with a Grade II listed Victorian barn at the top of the slope, Stopham has quietly become one of the most respected boutique producers of English still wine - and increasingly, of bottle-fermented sparkling wine.
The Vineyard: Sandy Soil, South Downs Sunshine
The story of Stopham begins with the land itself. The vineyard sits on free-draining sandy soil, the kind of ground that classic Mediterranean plants thrive in, including vines. As the team is fond of pointing out, vine roots can extend more than six metres into the subsoil, which makes the established vines remarkably drought-proof. The same free-draining quality, however, presents challenges: nutrients leach away quickly, and rabbits love to burrow in the loose sand.
To compensate, the vineyard uses copious amounts of manure produced by Stopham cattle to build up organic matter, and applies carefully calculated manufactured fertiliser each year based on detailed soil and leaf analysis. A spade is kept permanently in the tractor, just in case a rabbit hole opens up mid-row.
The vines themselves were planted by a specialist team from Germany using lasers to guide the planting tractor at precise distances from the preceding row, so the rows are spaced wide enough to allow good sun exposure across the canopy. Before planting, the field was harrowed and sub-soiled so that the young vines slotted easily into the soil.
Stopham is, in the team's own words, a "still wine specialist." Most of the production is dedicated to exciting white wines made from Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Bacchus, with a sparkling wine programme built around Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. As is the lot of any English grape grower, weather is the constant challenge. The site has weathered tough vintages - including 2012, when pelting rain wiped out the crop, and 2017, when frost devastated yields - alongside excellent ones such as 2014. Spring frosts in April, rain during flowering in June and July, and the need for a warm ripening period in September are the perennial hurdles that the team must navigate.
The Winery: Technology and Precision
At the top of the vineyard sits the winery, a converted Grade II listed Victorian barn that houses the modern, innovative kit the team relies on to coax the best from their estate fruit. The whole estate is built around what Stopham calls "expertise and technology" - using the latest winemaking science to bring out the character of the grapes without ever losing the sense of place that gives the wines their identity.
Still grape varieties are de-stemmed, crushed and macerated before being pressed to maximise fruit extraction. All stainless steel fermentation tanks are fitted with temperature regulation jackets, temperature sensors and carbon dioxide sensors, and the fermentation rates are controlled automatically so that fermentations proceed slowly and gently. A closed-loop control system measures the fermentation rate in real time via the CO₂ sensors, ensuring consistent, cool fermentations that can last up to six weeks.
Bottling is carried out under inert gas, with bottles sealed under Stelvin Lux+ saran tin screw caps, and the wines are scientifically analysed and monitored in the on-site wine laboratory. The team takes a hands-on, data-driven approach to every stage, from grape to glass.
The Wines: Estate-Grown Whites and Sparkling
Stopham's online wine shop features three main categories of product: sparkling wines, still white wines and mixed cases. The portfolio is small but tightly focused, designed to showcase the aromatic, food-friendly style that the sandy South Downs site delivers so well.
- Sparkling wines - traditional method sparkling made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, offering English fizz with the elegance of a cool climate.
- Still white wines - the heart of the estate, built around Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Bacchus. Expect aromatic, textured whites that pair brilliantly with food.
- Mixed cases - curated selections that allow customers to explore the full range.
Vineyard Tours and Tastings
Stopham's tour programme is one of the best ways to experience the estate. The Full Experience Tour is led by Victoria, the team's dedicated tour guide, and combines a comprehensive walk through the vineyard with an in-depth visit to the winery, finishing with a guided tasting of the wines.
Tours run on the majority of Saturdays at 11am or 2pm between April and September. From the vineyard you will learn how the vines are grown and nurtured, how weather affects yield, and why the soil and surrounding environment matter so much to the finished wine. Then it's a short walk up the slope to the winery in the converted Grade II listed Victorian barn, where you'll be guided through the modern winemaking process, see the stainless steel tanks and state-of-the-art equipment close up, and find out how the wines are analysed and bottled.
The tasting that follows includes up to three still wines and one sparkling wine, with vintages and exact range subject to availability. For those who want to make a full day of it, an optional lunch can be added - at 1.30pm following an 11am tour, or at 12pm following a 2pm tour. Guests are advised to wear appropriate footwear for the vineyard, especially after wet weather.
Bookings can be made directly through the website. Vouchers purchased through third parties such as Red Letter Days and Buy a Gift can be redeemed by calling the vineyard on 01798 865666 or by messaging the team.
Sustainability at Stopham
Protecting the environment is central to the winemaking approach at Stopham, and the estate works within the framework of a formal Sustainability Strategy developed with Beth Derry from Inside Out Responsibility. Almost every decision on the estate is weighed against its environmental impact.
Local River Quality
The sandy, free-draining soil minimises run-off to the surrounding environment, including the adjacent Rivers Arun and Rother. The vineyard is not routinely ploughed - the last time was in 2008 - and grass covers the entire site, reducing run-off and erosion. Weeds under the vines are now managed with an under-vine mower rather than herbicide sprays, and tractor ruts are sub-soiled to avoid soil compaction and protect soil activity.
Soil Management
Manure from Stopham cattle is added to improve soil structure and nutrient retention, supported by an annual application of manufactured fertiliser calibrated through detailed soil and leaf analysis.
Biodiversity
The vineyard is adjacent to a one-hectare arboretum and is surrounded by mature oak and chestnut trees and natural hedgerows. In 2010, an additional 400 metres of native English hedgerow was planted. Owl boxes are planned for the future.
Water Resources
Vines at Stopham are not irrigated - their roots go deep enough to find what they need. Water is not added to the wine, and the only significant water use is for washing tanks in the winery, where an efficient pressure hose and steamer are used.
Local Economy and Energy
Stopham employs four full-time and three part-time staff, runs weekly winemaker tours for individuals, private groups and the public, and supports local tourism. Most of the estate's energy is used in chilling fermentation tanks, but the refrigeration system runs only as needed for a slow, gentle ferment. Bottles are sourced from Northern France because UK-made bottles are not yet available, and all organic waste (grape skins, stems, vine prunings) is recycled on-site.
Meet the Team
Stopham is a small, specialist team - and each member brings an unexpected story to the estate.
- Simon - Winemaking Director. Simon used to design automotive sensors at TAG McLaren F1 before studying Viticulture at Plumpton Agricultural College in East Sussex. He leads the winemaking programme and the broader technical direction of the estate.
- Adderley - Assistant Winemaker. Adderley originally joined as Stopham's first apprentice and now manages the vineyard and tractor operations.
- Marie - Business Development Manager. Marie joined in early 2020 and has a background spanning recruitment, advertising, digital and luxury goods (notably fragrance and cosmetics). She is a fluent French speaker and holds the Level 3 WSET qualification with distinction. She handles trade sales and can be reached on 07771 851292 or marie@stophamvineyard.co.uk.
- Rob Dench - Tech Geek. Rob joins the team at bottling and harvest and is the person who fixes anything that goes wrong, from the bottling line to the broken vine trimmer.
- Matt Borsay - Vineyard Manager. Matt also began as an Apprentice at Stopham and is now invaluable in both the vineyard and the winery.
Victoria leads the vineyard tours, offering visitors an insider's view of the estate with warmth, depth and a clear passion for the wines.
Visiting Stopham Vineyard
Stopham Vineyard is located in the hamlet of Stopham, near Pulborough in West Sussex, postcode RH20 1EE. The nearest mainline railway station is Pulborough, and the estate is well placed for a day out from London, Brighton or Guildford, surrounded by the walking country of the South Downs.
Bookings, Trade Sales and Gift Vouchers
- General enquiries and bookings: 01798 865666 or info@stophamvineyard.co.uk
- Trade sales (Marie Davies): 07771 851292 or marie@stophamvineyard.co.uk
- Privacy / data enquiries: simon@stophamvineyard.co.uk
Tour and gift vouchers can also be purchased through Steppr, where buyers can take up to 15% off - vouchers are valid for a full year, making them a flexible gift for any wine lover.
Stay Connected
Follow Stopham on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for harvest updates, new releases and tour availability.
Find the Vineyard
Stopham Vineyard can be located on Google Maps by searching for the postcode RH20 1EE.
Why Stopham Matters
Stopham is a small estate with an unusually clear sense of purpose. Its focus is narrow - still white wines made from carefully chosen grape varieties, plus a sparkling wine built on classic Champagne varieties - and its execution is meticulous, from the laser-guided planting of the vineyard to the closed-loop fermentation control in the winery. Add in a sustainability programme that has been quietly embedded into every decision for over a decade, a team that came to wine through everything from Formula 1 sensor design to luxury fragrance, and a tour programme that genuinely opens the whole estate to visitors, and you have one of the most distinctive boutique producers in the South Downs.
For anyone interested in tasting English wine at source, walking a vineyard in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and understanding how modern, data-driven winemaking can sit comfortably alongside traditional estate farming, Stopham is well worth the trip - and well worth a place in the cellar.