CONTACT DETAILS

                      Telephone        01825 791 561             

                                             Email             wineinfo@bluebellvineyard.co.uk                         

Welcome to Bluebell Vineyard.
Bluebell Vineyard is one of the UK’s leading sparkling wine producers. Established in 2005, we specialise in the production of award-winning estate-grown English Sparkling Wines using the méthode traditionelle.

We use the classic champagne grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier along with Seyval Blanc to produce sparkling wines that evoke the flavours and aromas of England. With a focus on quality and provenance we have developed a uniquely unapologetic English style: wines that are hand-crafted, high in quality and bursting with fruit character – wines with personality.

By achieving over thirty-five national and international awards (including medals from Sommelier Wine Awards, Decanter, International Wine & Spirits Competition and the International Wine Challenge), Bluebell has confirmed its status amongst England’s top producers.    

Our Wines
Only the top sparkling wines are made by the méthode traditionelle – sometimes misleadingly known as the ‘méthode champenoise’.

Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the French, or Dom Perignon, not even Veuve Clicquot, who invented the sparkling wine technique, though they all had a hand in it.

In fact it was an Englishman, Christopher Merret, in 1662, who should take the credit.

Merret, an Oxford educated scientist from the West Country, presented a paper to the Royal Society in December 1662 (35 years before Dom Perignon claimed to have invented champagne) demonstrating how to control the second fermentation in the bottle – that’s what makes the fizz. Crucially, Merret also showed how to make glass strong enough to withstand the huge pressure inside the bottle (think of the pressure in a London bus tyre) created when carbon dioxide is dissolved in the wine during the second fermentation.

Bluebell’s wines follow in this tradition and are hand- crafted at every stage of their carefully tended creation.
Hindleap Brut Rosé
Hindleap Classic Cuvée
Hindleap Blanc de Blancs   

About Us
Since our first plantings in 2005 we have been striving to produce wines of distinction, marked by their freshness, elegance and finesse.

Our scrupulous adherence to the méthode traditionelle is supported in the vineyard by our selection of classic Champagne varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and our policy of minimal intervention in the use of chemicals and herbicides.

The grapes are entirely hand-harvested and then gently whole-bunch pressed to extract the freshest juice for the base wine. The first fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.

After approximately 6 months the wine is blended and bottled á la liqueur de tirage, e.g. a little sugar and yeast is added at the bottling stage, which is how the second fermentation in the bottle is kick started and the process of autolysis begins.
The bottled wine is left for between 12 months and 2 years on its lees – to impart the toasty character of traditionally made sparkling wine.

Finally we riddle the wine using our ultra-modern computer controlled giro-pallets in preparation for the dosage to determine the level of dryness/sweetness of the final product. Between 8 and 12 weeks later the wine is ready to be shipped to our customers.

Wedding Receptions at Bluebell Vineyard
Down a shady lane tucked between the hamlet of Furners Green and the famous Bluebell Steam Railway (not far from Sheffield Park) you’ll find our award-winning vineyard and wedding venue.

With three different sites to hold your reception, we will work with you to make your day an unforgettable event tailored to your own requirements and ideas. Our beautiful, fully lined marquee provides a light and airy space with roll up sides, allowing your guests to enjoy the full extent of our spectacular views across the vineyard.

With plenty of space for dining, dancing and enteraining, the marquee will comfortably hold over 120 guests, with flexibility to increase.

Let our beautiful vines provide the most unique environment your guests have ever seen. Take advantage of our plethora of photo opportunities on a lush, green backdrop in the heart of the stunning Sussex countryside.

Your guests can enjoy our award-winning wines whilst looking out on the vines that produced them! If you would like to book a viewing or request a brochure please email wineinfo@bluebellvineyard.co.uk