Paul & Natalyia English Vineyard Tour

Well the weather was kind to us having poured down the previous day. Natalyia had treated her significant other, Paul, to a great day out, wine tasting in glorious East Sussex.

Pelham Hotel in Lewes for coffee, tea and croissants in the garden, surrounded by art, wisteria in full bloom and happy looking breakfast-ers! Fed, watered we set off for the first stop at Carr Taylor Vineyards near Westfield in East Sussex. The vines are flourishing, flower burst had turned into bud burst with grape bunches now developing nicely. Standing amongst the rich greeness, sun on our backs it was almost transcending, very beautiful and idylic indeed.

Having viewed and discussed an established vineyard we took a look at a recently grubbed-up and re-planted vineyard. Swiftly followed by a look into the workings of a winery, followed by the tasting.

Ah the tasting, this is where it gets good. We are always amazed at others reactions to how good English wines are. "Wow I really never knew English wines were this good!!" A regular exclamation and one that brings a smile to our faces, we moved elagantly from dry/aromatic whites, to rose through to three sparkling wines and then onto the versatile fruit wines!

After a lovely Sussex Ploughamn's Lunch we drove only 15 minutes further down the road to the village of Sedlescombe and into Sedlescombe Organic Vineyards. Roy was pottering about on his tractor, Irma was charming and their vines looked great. The Solaris swelling up magnificently, the Regent too also looked great. True eco-warriors they exemplify what others talk about but never do! From the converted caravan into an office, their self-build home, lazy door-stop cat, flourishing vegetable plot, self-maturing manure, hand-sewen clover ground cover for added nitrogen the list is endless. It is always a tremendous pleasure in bringing our guests into this unique and much loved vineyard. The wines are not too shabby neither!!

A great day was had and once again Georgie & I are honoured to be playing hosts cum tourguides to an array of such really wonderful people, may it continue...........

An Introduction to Wine @ Sussex Downs College

Sussex Down College Newhaven Faculty


An Introduction to Wines
5 Part Series

Enjoy wine and want to learn more? An Introduction To Wine offers you the opportunity to look at wines more closely. Over the 5 tutorials we shall be looking at how to taste wine and assess its quality professionally. Using this knowledge we will then look at classic grape varieties as well as a look at some classic wines from around the world. The last two tutorials focus on English wines, looking at the grape varieties used as well as visiting an English vineyard for a hands on field experience. An additional £5.00 supplement per tutorial for the cost of the wines plus £45.00 for the last tutorial, which will be the field trip. The vineyard trip includes all travel to and from the college, fully guided tour, tutored wine tasting and light lunch. We also recommend that you bring a small bottle of water for drinking during the tutorials.

Tasting & Assessing Wine
£5.00 wine supplement per person
Each student needs to bring 1 glass and water
A look at grapes, basic wine production methods. Sampling 2/3 wines analytical tasting approach and assessing quality
1.5 hours (11 – 12.30)

International Grape Varieties
£5 wine supplement per person
Each student needs to bring 1 glass & water
Looking at 6 classic grapes varieties and tasting together using techniques learned previously. 4-6 wines to sample
1.5hours (11 – 12.30)

Classic Regional Wines
A systematic approach and look at 6 classic wine of the world. Looking at unique styles, flavours of their main grape varieties and characteristics.
1.5hours (11 - 12.30)

An Introduction English Wines (Part1)
£5 wine supplement per person
Each student to bring 1 glass & water
Sampling between 4-6 English wines we assess their quality and unique styles. Focusing on 2-3 vineyards
1.5hours (11 – 12.30)

An Introduction to English Wines (Part 2)
Visit an English Vineyard, in Sussex. Guided vineyard tour, winery tour and tutored wine tasting. This can be run in the morning with a lunch afterwards.
Fully escorted with collection from and return to the college.
£45.00 per person
(10am – 1pm) Collection and return from college


Thursday Tutorials

4 x 1.5 hours from 11-12.30

1 x 3 hours from 10am-1pm