An exciting, family owned English vineyard
Beacon Down vineyard occupies 18 acres of the beautiful High Weald near Heathfield in East Sussex in England. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the vineyard is set on gentle South East facing slopes with stunning views over to Eastbourne and the South Downs. Two fields on the site were planted with nearly 10,000 vines in May 2015 by Paul and Al Pippard, which have thrived on the sandstone slopes and Sussex sunshine.
On holiday in 2012 we started having one of those ‘what if’ conversations and we decided that it was now or never. On our return we took action to realise a dream of owning a vineyard. We bought some land and planted the vines, setting up the vineyard from bare fields. We run all aspects - growing and tending to the vines, selling and packing up wine for delivery, leading the tours and providing our delicious picnics. Click below to read more about our story including a gallery of pictures from bare fields to our first harvest.
Award-winning wines and tours in a unique and beautiful location
Our still and sparkling wines have won a number of awards including a SILVER at the 2020 Sommelier Wine Awards, a SILVER at the 2020 IWSC, a Bronze for our Riesling 2018, a medium-sweet wine. Case offers available.
“We opened a bottle of your English Sparkling Wine last night. I’d like to say I think it’s the best sparkling wine I’ve ever had! Fresh, fruity, light and citrusy - it’s absolutely stunning!!” Helen, November 2019
Our award-winning wines
Available to buy with discounted delivery and case offers available
During the spring and summer months we run open afternoons and in-depth tours, tastings and stylish picnics to enjoy in a stunning location with fantastic views. These can also be purchased as gift vouchers. We also have a self-guided tour option and free click and collect for wine orders. During the autumn and winter, call Paul in advance to check we are there before popping by - 07870 851138.
“Really lovely vineyard experience. Warm welcome and fascinating tour around this unpretentious family start-up business. Excellent picnic lunch in a beautiful location and delicious wine. Can’t wait to sample their first sparkling wine when it becomes available later this year. Highly recommended!” Susan, August 2019
We have a number of great gift ideas and options including our Lease a Vine packages. These are a great opportunity to get involved; or give a unique and special gift - and offer a unique insight to the vineyard, cool-climate viticulture and an experience to remember. If you are buying as a gift you can add a personalised message at checkout.
OUR WINES
Award-winning Beacon Down wines encapsulate both our style and sustainable approach, where we minimise inputs and intervention wherever possible and deliver a fantastic product for your enjoyment. They are made with attention to detail at every step of the journey - we personally tend the vines year-round in all weather; we ensure precise care in the winery; we taste, finish and package the bottles and we hand-deliver to your door or serve them to you on one of our tour days.
We’ve won a number of awards for our still and sparkling wines and our Blanc De Noirs can also be found in 21 Waitrose stores across the South East as well as on WaitroseCellar.com.
Our sparkling wines are vegan friendly, our still wines use isinglass (fish) as a filter medium.
If you are buying as a gift you will be able to add a message at checkout.
Use code: LOCAL for FREE delivery to these postcodes ——> BN71; BN72; BN85; BN86; TN210; TN218; PE280, plus all Lewes, Brighton and Hove and Heathfield.
Cuvee XXI
£29.95
Our newest addition to our sparkling wines, it is the first wine where we have blended our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
The wine is a light golden colour with lovely balance and depth, a palate of crunchy apple with notes of light brioche. It has had a good period of lees ageing (the duration that the wine is in contact with the lees) which give the wine a fine mousse and a certain finesse.
Rose de Noirs
£31.95
Our Rose sparkling wine is a vibrant sparkling wine with flavours of strawberry and cherry, a lovely pink hue and fantastic balance.
The IWSC judges comments for our 2018 vintage were “Beautiful nose of fragrant raspberry and touches of savoury notes. Fresh and attractive”. Harpers Wine Stars 2022 awarded 4 out of 5 stars.
Produced in the traditional method from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, this is a celebratory drink perfect for any occasion.
“Another gorgeous wine from Beacon Down! Definitely summer fruits, so drinkable and the most beautiful colour 😍 A delight for all the senses ! Cheers!”
Gavin, September 2020.
For detailed wine notes - click here.
Blanc De Noirs
£33.95
2022 vintage now available!
With 100% Pinot Noir grapes, this wine has been produced in the traditional method and aged to create a refined sparkling wine with an excellent balance of fruit and complexity. Fine bubbles, a gentle mousse and fresh finish make this an absolute joy to drink at any celebration.
Our 2017 vintage was selected as one of Matthew Jukes’ TOP 40 WINES FOR CHRISTMAS 2020:
“Mellow, soothing and with wild raspberry tones, this fizz has undeniable class and will charm your senses with its perfume and poise” Mathew Jukes, December 2020
It has won 2 x SILVER AWARDs from the SOMMELIER WINE AWARDS 2020 and from the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Our 2018 vintage won a 4* award from the Harpers Wine Stars 2022.
IWSC
“Rich, opulent, savoury and creamy. Good weight, and vibrancy. The palate is full and broad, with toast, red fruit character and lovely depth.”
SWA
“A fresh, delicate sparkler with bright acidity. Good value.” Laura Rhys MS, team leader.
“Pleasant and citrusy on the nose, with a soft, delicate, easy-drinking palate showing good harmony, and good balance overall.” Tanguy Martin, Blandford Comptoir.
“Crisp, fresh and zingy with orange notes and a creamy mouthfeel.” Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.
“We opened a bottle of your English Sparkling Wine last night. I’d like to say I think it’s the best sparkling wine I’ve ever had! Fresh, fruity, light and citrusy - it’s absolutely stunning!!”
For detailed wine notes - click here.
Blanc de Blancs
£35.95
2018 vintage now available and tasting fantastic!
Our Blanc de Blancs is made in the traditional method from 100% chardonnay grapes. Aged for over 6 years on its lees this is an exceptionally refined sparkling wine. Our 2017 vintage of the same wine won a number of prestigious awards including:
Harpers Wine Stars 2022: 5* TOP AWARD - “Star of England” - “Star of Sussex” - “Star Taste” - Star Value”
Decanter 2024: 93 Points - SILVER Medal - "Ripe tropical and intense stone fruits, sour honey, brioche, and toast, giving length, richness and some complexity".
Great British Wine: "With six years of ageing on the lees, this Sussex Chardonnay is opulent and ripe with a nose full of baked apple, ripe stone fruit, warm brioche and toasty complexities. The palate is full and generous, opening with apple Tarte Tatin, peach pudding and a vibrant zesty cut-through. There’s also suggestive creaminess and lovely brioche and pastry depth."
We are so excited to have this in our range of sparkling wines - it’s another fantastic wine alongside our award winning Blanc De Noirs, Rose de Noirs and Cuvee XXI.
Bacchus
£16.95
**2023 vintage now available**
Our ambition of creating delicious single estate wine from England is perfectly realised in this dry, crisp and vibrant Bacchus. England’s answer to Sauvignon Blanc, our 100% Bacchus wine will entice you in with it's elderflower aromatics and follow up with lovely citrus and tropical flavours on the palate. Previous vintages have won medals at both the Independent English Wine Awards and the International Wine and Spirit Competition. 2023 was a great year and a strong harvest means this is another fresh, vibrant wine full of flavour.
Our sparkling wines are vegan friendly, but our Bacchus and Pinot Gris wines use isinglass (fish) as a filter medium.
Pinot Gris
£17.95
**2022 and 2023 vintages now available**
This is a fantastic wine from a small plot of carefully hand-tended vines. Some lovely summer weather provided favourable ripening conditions and lovely balanced grapes.
Carefully harvested by Beacon Down friends and family followed by a very cool fermentation this is a dry white wine that is subtle on the nose and delicious on the palate with flavours of stone fruit and a tropical finish.
Our previous Pinot Gris wines have won SILVER awards (90pts+).
Our sparkling wines are vegan friendly, but our Bacchus and Pinot Gris still wines use isinglass (fish) as a filter medium.
Riesling
from £15.95
Our Riesling wines are unique in England. To ripen Riesling in the UK’s cool climate to produce a still wine with acids in balance is a real challenge and a great success. The wines are left to mature and soften in bottle for a number of years in temperature controlled storage before being ready for sale. Please note some vintages are half-size bottles (375ml).
The 2020 Riesling is another first, with only 300 bottles available. We left the grapes on the vines as long as possible, picking late in October 2020. It was fermented in oak, which allows some air to come into contact with the wine that took the maturation in an exciting different direction. We fermented to dryness then dosaged and bottled in 2022.
2020 - the wine has subtle oxidative characters and evidence of oak comes through on the nose. The palate shows fresh, sweet citrus fruit and notes of spice wrapped up in a leaner, green fruited acidity that provides refreshment and balance to the sweetness of the wine whilst oxidative notes adds complexity.
Our 2018 vintage was featured on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love your Weekend (ITV - November 2021) and won a bronze medal from the IEWA. It was also featured in a Decanter competition in Tasmania and scored highly, above a number of German Rieslings. There are flavours of peach and mango, with lightly honeyed notes and a hint of creaminess. It is bright in the glass, with well-balanced acidity and sweetness and pairs beautifully with desserts and cheese.
Read more (2018): GreatBritishWine.com
For detailed wine notes (2018) - click here.
VISIT US
Tours, Tastings and Picnics
We love to welcome visitors and are open through the spring and summer. Come and experience our vineyard first hand and enjoy breathtaking views across to the South Downs in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In-depth fully guided tours, including tastings of all the current wines can be booked during the spring and summer. We also also open up the vineyard on Saturday afternoons in August for free tastings, for you to enjoy a relaxed glass of wine and a walk in the vines.
Vouchers for tours and picnics are also available to buy all year round and make a great gift.
Explore Wealden
There is also much to do in the surrounding area for you to make a day, weekend or longer holiday of it in the area - take a look at: www.explorewealden.co.uk and Things to Do in Sussex - Top Attractions and Hidden Gems..
If you are cycling or fancy an extended walk then you could visit the Cuckoo Trail, 11 miles of former railway track converted into a wildlife-friendly green corridor running from Heathfield to Eastbourne Park.
Herstmonceux Castle and the Observatory Science Centre are around 25 minutes' away - the fantastic moated castle has interiors to explore, an Elizabethan walled garden and tea shop; the Observatory is great fun with its telescopes and large interactive science games. Bateman’s, Rudyard Kipling’s beautiful Jacobean home with National Trust cafe, is only 20 minutes away.
To entertain the kids, you could try Urban Jump Trampoline Park in Heathfield (5 minutes) or the adventure playgrounds, rides, waterplay, and zoo at Knockhatch Adventure Park (15 minutes).
Places to Stay
Should you be looking to stay in the area there are a number of options from camping and shepherds huts at nearby Wilderness Woods, the beautiful Blackboys Inn and a range of bed and breakfasts and self-catering options including this cosy period cottage (link). A more extensive list is available if you click here.
Directions
ADDRESS: Beacon Down Vineyard, Browns Lane, Cross in Hand, Heathfield, East Sussex. TN21 0QJ
GOOGLE MAPS: find the pin on the map
WHAT3WORDS: fetch.cubic.beefed.
Parking is available onsite. The vineyard’s entrance is a farm gate about 300yards on the left down Browns Lane, from Firgrove Road.
If you are visiting us then please do look to use public transport or sharing lifts - public transport or car-pooling will help reduce traffic movements. The nearest bus stop is a 10minute walk along Firgrove Road - the 29A connects Brighton & Hove - Lewes - Uckfield; the 51 joins up to Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne. Other buses include the 195, 225, 318, 331.
SOCIAL
@BEACONDOWNWINES