Wine & Dine with English Vine Tours

Well the weather was not great and slightly damp under foot but at least the deluge had abated for the time being. Lucy and her mum, Henrietea, made their way from London to Battle in East Sussex. Ready for a superb day out in glorious East Sussex visiting one of the UK's finest examples of an organic vineyard then to be followed by a superb lunch at one of Sussex's finest restaurants.

Sedlescombe Vineyards in the village of Sedlescombe is a unique experience. Roy and Irma cook have embraced organic viticulture to its full, not only growing grapes and making wines organically but building their own home, growing their own vegetables and recycling everything. Roy is a fine example of a wannabee eco-warrior.

We toured a vineyard and looked at the various ways in which organic growing works and discussed the various benefits of it, as well as in general smaller production and on the whole the vibrancy and dynamism of English Wine. Irma talked us through the wines, sampling a wide variety starting with their sparkling rose, soft and fruity barrel matured red and various aromatic whites and their unique rose made from Roy's current favourite grape variety - Regent.

Now with a fine taste of wine on the palate we swung by Carr Taylor Vineyards for a brief look and a quick sample of their wonderful sparkling brut. From their we made our way to the famous Wild Mushroom Restaurant. Owned by the ubiquitous Paul Webbe and we were warmly welcomed indeed. Lucy and Henrietta enjoyed a lovely meal and by the end were suitably pink-cheeked and ready for the journey home.