The same chalk that runs beneath Champagne surfaces again in the South Downs. Here's how a corner of England became one of the world's most exciting wine regions.
In July 2022, Sussex wine was granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, a legal recognition that places it alongside Champagne, Prosecco and the world's other great named wine regions. It means a wine carrying the Sussex name must be grown and made here, to a defined standard.
For Sussex Sparkling, those standards are exacting: hand-harvested grapes, the classic trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier at its heart, and a minimum of fifteen months ageing in the bottle before release. Every wine is assessed for clarity, aroma, taste and the fineness of its bubbles.
The terroirSussex sits on a band of chalk and greensand soils that drain beautifully and echo the great sparkling regions of France. It's one of the driest, warmest corners of England, and as the climate shifts, conditions here have become ideal for the noble sparkling varieties. The South Downs National Park has estimated that tens of thousands of hectares of Sussex farmland are suitable for the vine.
The result is sparkling wine of genuine world class. In 2025, Sussex's own Nyetimber was crowned the world's best sparkling wine at the International Wine Challenge, beating Champagne at its own game.
Our part in itThe Sussex Wine Company has long believed in the wines of this region. Today we're an independent guide and merchant, connecting you with the estates, the experiences and the bottles that make Sussex special, and celebrating the very best of them through the Sussex Wine Awards.
Stand in the vines, meet the makers, and taste why the world is paying attention.