Winklestone Vineyard: A Family-Run Organic Estate in the Heart of the Ashdown Forest
Nestled in the village of Fairwarp, in the heart of the historic Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, Winklestone Vineyard is a small, family-run, certified organic estate that has quickly become a beloved name among English wine enthusiasts. Planted in 2020 by the Dewhurst family, who have lived in Fairwarp for over two decades, the vineyard embodies a quiet dedication to craft, sustainability and place. From a careful first harvest in 2023 to a small but radiant portfolio of organic still wines, Winklestone is a textbook example of the new wave of boutique English vineyards producing low-intervention wines with a strong sense of provenance.
A Vineyard Born of Family, Forest and a Sense of Place
The story of Winklestone Vineyard begins not with vines, but with people. The Dewhurst family moved to Fairwarp more than twenty years ago and quickly fell for the gentle landscape of the Ashdown Forest - the high heath, the silver birch, the ponies grazing along the ridgeways, the long quiet skies that famously inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. When the family decided to plant a vineyard, they chose a small adjacent paddock that captures the same elemental character of the surrounding forest: well-drained, sun-catching, and bordered by mature hedgerows that provide shelter, biodiversity and beauty in equal measure.
The vines went into the ground in 2020. From the outset, the family committed to a hands-on approach: every vine is tended by hand, with great care and attention to detail. There is no industrial machinery thundering between the rows, no synthetic inputs quietly doing the work of a healthy soil. Instead, the vineyard is shaped by patient, repetitive, loving work - pruning, tucking in, leaf-pulling and picking, all done the slow way.
The name itself is rooted in local geology. Winklestone is the colloquial name for Sussex Marble, a local rock seam that contains fossilised winkle shells. This distinctive band of stone has traditionally been quarried and used in churches across East Sussex - a quiet but constant reminder of the deep history of the land on which the vineyard now stands.
The First Harvest, and a Decade of Patience
Like every vineyard in the northern wine-growing fringe, Winklestone's first commercial harvest came only after years of careful preparation. In 2023, three years after planting, the family brought in their first crop - a small, precious parcel of organic Bacchus grapes that would go on to become the estate's debut still white wine. The result, by all accounts, was exactly what the family had hoped for: a delicious, clean, crisp and fragrant wine, made in tiny batches with minimal intervention during the winemaking process.
The early reception was striking. Within a year, the inaugural 2023 vintage of Organic Bacchus sold out completely, and customers who missed it now look out for each new release with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for cult Burgundy. The 2025 vintage has now been released, and the rosé programme - begun with the 2024 - is gathering its own devoted following.
The Wines: Organic Bacchus and a Delicate Provençal-Style Rosé
Winklestone is, by design, a small producer. The wines are made in tiny batches, and the focus is firmly on quality and character rather than volume. Two core wines anchor the current range, both available in single bottles and six-bottle cases.
Organic Bacchus 2025
The flagship white from Winklestone is a 100% organic Bacchus, made entirely from grapes grown on the family's own small vineyard plot on the Ashdown Forest. Fresh from the runaway success of the sold-out 2023 vintage, the 2025 is described as bright, refreshing and dry, with a delicate floral finish - the kind of aromatic lift that has earned Bacchus the informal title of "England's leading still wine grape". At 11% ABV and bottled in 75cl format, it is a crisp, clean, food-friendly white that reflects the cool maritime edge of the South East and the biodiverse surroundings of the vineyard itself.
The single bottle is priced at £19.50, and a six-bottle case is £108.00. The single bottle or six-bottle case can be ordered directly from the Winklestone online shop.
Organic Rosé 2024
The Winklestone rosé is a sophisticated, dry style made from a blend of 50% organic Bacchus, 25% organic Pinot Noir and 25% organic Pinot Meunier. The Winklestone-grown portion is complemented by grapes organically grown at Forty Hall Vineyard in Enfield, a partnership that reflects the collegial spirit of the English wine scene. The result is a light, crisp and refreshing rosé with subtle hints of red fruit - a wine that sits comfortably alongside Provençal benchmarks, while remaining unmistakably English in its precision and freshness. Like the Bacchus, it is bottled at 11% ABV in 75cl.
Single bottles are priced at £19.50, and the six-bottle case is £108.00. Both are available from the Winklestone wine shop.
Organic Bacchus 2023 (Sold Out)
The estate's debut release, the 2023 Organic Bacchus, is currently sold out across both the single-bottle and six-bottle case formats. While it is no longer available to buy direct, signing up to the Winklestone newsletter is the best way to be notified when small parcels of library stock or new vintages are released.
Mixed Case - 6 Bottles
For those who cannot choose between white and rosé, Winklestone offers a Mixed Case of six bottles at £108.00. The default mix is three bottles of the 2025 Organic Bacchus and three bottles of the 2024 Organic Rosé. The family is happy to vary the split on request at the point of order - perfect for those who want a touch more of one style, or for sharing between households with different preferences.
Sustainability at the Core: A Truly Organic Vineyard
If there is a single thread running through every aspect of Winklestone Vineyard, it is sustainability. The family's approach is explicitly ethical, low-intervention and rooted in a desire to make "as little impact to the beautiful environment that surrounds us" as possible. They are certified organic, and they use no pesticides and no herbicides.
Soil-First Farming
The vineyard operates a zero-till policy. Tilling - the mechanical turning of soil - is a standard practice in much of agriculture, but it comes at a cost to soil structure, fungal networks and long-term fertility. By avoiding it, Winklestone encourages healthier soil, reduced erosion and a steady build-up of organic matter. The result is a vineyard floor that is alive with wildflowers, insects and microbial life; visitors frequently comment on the biodiversity visible even in a short walk between the rows.
Bottles, Labels and Caps: Every Detail Matters
Sustainability at Winklestone extends all the way to the bottle. Each bottle is made from 75% recycled glass. All packaging is plastic-free. Labels are printed on recycled paper. Even the closures have been carefully chosen: the bottle caps are made from biodegradable wood pulp rather than traditional aluminium or plastic screwcaps, allowing them to break down naturally at the end of their working life.
A Bottle Return Scheme
The family also operates - and actively encourages - a bottle return scheme, re-using glass bottles as many times as possible rather than letting them enter the recycling stream after a single use. Customers who buy online are asked to return their empty bottles to the vineyard if they can, and the team is happy to help arrange this by email or phone.
Visit the Vineyard: Tours and Tastings in the New Barn
Winklestone has always been a place to drop in - the family have long welcomed visitors to the vineyard in Fairwarp for a chat, a glass and a wander among the vines. Since opening the new barn, however, they have been able to offer a far more structured experience. Vineyard tours and tastings are now bookable online, by email or by phone, and run by appointment only.
What to Expect
A typical tour begins with a walk around the vineyard itself, during which the hosts talk about who they are, what they do and - most importantly - why they do it. Expect conversation about organic viticulture, the realities of growing vines at the northern edge of European wine country, the importance of biodiversity, and the long view required to bring a still English white wine from pruning to bottle.
After the walk, guests are seated in the lovely new barn for the tasting. Each person is poured a glass of each of the current wines, accompanied by a selection of nibbles that complement the wines and round out the experience. The whole visit lasts around 1.5 hours, making it an unhurried but easily digestible addition to a day in the Ashdown Forest.
Practicalities
- Price: £20 per person.
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
- Booking: By appointment only, online via the tours booking page, or by phone (07842 098753) or email (info@winklestone.co.uk).
- Payment: Required at least two weeks in advance.
- Cancellations: At least 48 hours' notice is required; later cancellations are non-refundable.
- Families: Children and dogs are welcome.
The location is also ideal for making a day of it. Surrounded by the Ashdown Forest, there are plenty of walks to choose from before or after the tasting, and the celebrated Foresters Arms - a traditional country pub with great food and atmosphere - is just a five-minute walk away, making it a natural pairing with a vineyard visit.
Where to Find Winklestone Wines
Winklestone is a small producer with a growing footprint. The wines are available direct from the Winklestone online shop (UK mainland delivery via DPD Local, 1 - 2 working days), at the cellar door during vineyard visits, and at selected local farm shops, pubs and restaurants across the area. The family are also regulars at local food and drink events - keep an eye on their Instagram feed for the latest appearances.
Shipping and Returns
Winklestone ships with DPD Local. UK mainland orders typically arrive within 1 - 2 working days, with Highlands, Ireland and Northern Ireland taking 2 - 4 days. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday. International and Channel Island deliveries can be arranged by contacting the team for a quote. Cancellations are accepted within 7 days of delivery, provided the goods are returned unopened and undamaged.
Visiting Fairwarp and the Ashdown Forest
Fairwarp is a tiny but characterful village on the eastern edge of the Ashdown Forest, the largest heathland in South East England and the high, open landscape that inspired A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories. The forest itself is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with miles of marked walking trails, commoners' ponies and a remarkable range of birdlife. A visit to Winklestone pairs naturally with a longer day exploring the forest or a stop at the Foresters Arms for a hearty lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winklestone Vineyard organic?
Yes. Winklestone is a certified organic vineyard. No pesticides or herbicides are used, the soil is managed under a zero-till policy, and the family take a low-intervention approach both in the vineyard and in the winery.
What wines does Winklestone make?
The current range centres on two wines: an Organic Bacchus (still white, 11% ABV) and an Organic Rosé (a blend of Bacchus, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, 11% ABV). Both are available in 75cl bottles and six-bottle cases, and a Mixed Case is also offered.
Can I visit Winklestone Vineyard?
Yes. Tours and tastings run by appointment in the new barn and last around 1.5 hours. The cost is £20 per person, with children and dogs welcome. Bookings can be made online via the tours booking page, by phone or by email.
Where is Winklestone Vineyard?
The vineyard is in the village of Fairwarp on the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, postcode TN22 3BU. The Foresters Arms pub is a short walk away.
How do I buy Winklestone wines?
Direct from the online shop, at the cellar door during a tour or tasting, or at selected local farm shops, pubs and restaurants. The Winklestone newsletter offers first access to new releases and small parcels of library stock.
Contact Winklestone Vineyard
- Address: Winklestone Vineyard Ltd, Seeley Cottage, Fairwarp, East Sussex, TN22 3BU
- Phone: 07842 098753
- Email: info@winklestone.co.uk
- Website: www.winklestone.co.uk
- Instagram: @winklestonevineyard
Winklestone is, in many ways, the modern English vineyard at its most personal: small in scale, deeply rooted in a single place, certified organic from the soil up, and run by a family whose care is evident in every glass. Whether one visits the vineyard itself, pours a bottle on a summer afternoon, or simply follows the journey on Instagram, it is a project that quietly shows what English wine can be when patience, place and people come first.