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Sussex Wineries launch to boost marketing and tourism

Published:  13 March, 2018

Eight leading Sussex wineries came together on Monday in Brighton to mark a strengthened collaboration between producers across the twin counties.

With an eye on boosting vino-tourism and raising awareness that an increasing number of wineries welcome visitors at the cellar door, the participants are keen to tap into the potential presented by being located in the populous South East and close to London.

“Sussex Wines is an exciting new initiative – the intention is to promote the opportunities for people visiting Sussex to visit cellar doors and wineries, many with cafes, and make the most of Sussex Wineries’ opportunities,” said Sam Linter, MD and head winemaker at Bolney Wine Estate.

Others, including Ridgeview’s sales and marketing manager Mardi Roberts, drew parallels between the accessibility of wineries and their cellar doors around Cape Town and Melbourne, suggesting that London (and proximity to Gatwick) has a similar tourism resource fast growing on its doorstep.

“Many of the wineries now have cellar door facilities, and you can spend a day out visiting Sussex producers, but it’s a question of people realising this, so we are taking the opportunity to raise the profile,” said Roberts.

Currently comprising Albourne Estate, Bluebell Vineyard Estates, Bolney Wine Estate, Oxney Organic, Rathfinny Wine Estate, Ridgeview, Stopham Vineyards, Wiston Estate and Tinwood, the move to a collaborative marketing initiative echoes similar initiatives by winemakers in Hampshire and Kent.

One of the first Sussex Wineries initiatives to be launched will be Sussex Wine Weekend, to take place 15-17 June, to be jointly marketed by the group, with a focus on attracting visitors to their cellar doors via a schedule of events centered on experiencing Sussex wines at source.


The Sussex Wine website http://sussexwineries.co.uk/ is now live with information about all the wineries and opportunities for visitors locally, nationally and internationally.

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