Court Garden Vineyard

Court Garden Vineyard: a family-run single estate crafting acclaimed English sparkling wines on historic South Downs land mentioned in the Domesday Book.

https://courtgarden.com

Orchard Lane, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8TH, England. Get directions

Nearest station: Hassocks (2.0 miles).
Approx walking time: 43 minutes.

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Dog friendly

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Hosts weddings

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Court Garden Vineyard offers a warm and welcoming experience at a family-run, single-estate vineyard nestled on a south-facing slope with the picturesque South Downs as its backdrop. It’s a place where passion for winemaking meets a beautiful, serene setting.

Visiting information

Can you pop in for a drink or do you need to pre-book a tour? Pre-booking experiences is essential, as walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Tour dates: Tours are available most Saturdays throughout the year, with specific dates and times available for online booking.

Is it open year-round? Yes, tours run for much of the year on Saturdays.

Restaurant or cafe on site: There is no restaurant or cafe, but visitors can pre-book homemade picnic lunches to enjoy on site.

What kind of special events are there? The vineyard hosts private events in their beautiful Sussex barn, including weddings.
Accommodation on site: There is no accommodation on site.

Can dogs/children come? Dogs are welcome at the vineyard.Facilities: The vineyard features an on-site tasting room, vineyard walking trails, covered outdoor seating, free parking, and is wheelchair accessible.

The Wine

Court Garden Vineyard is a single-estate producer known for its award-winning English Sparkling Wines, hand-crafted using traditional Champagne varieties. The primary grapes grown are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Beyond sparkling wines, Court Garden also produces a range of still wines under their 'Ditchling' label, including white, rosé, and red varieties, utilizing grapes such as Pinot Gris, Ortega, Pinot Blanc, and Rondo. They even cultivate rare old Champagne varieties like Arbanne and Petit Meslier.

The vineyard has garnered numerous national and international accolades for its wines. Notable achievements include a Gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2021, and two prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC) trophies in 2015 for Best English Sparkling and Best English Vintage, awarded to their 2010 Blanc de Blancs. The 2015 Blanc de Blancs also received Silver medals at the IWSC and Decanter World Wine Awards in 2020. Their Classic Cuvée has consistently won awards, including Silver at Decanter World Wine Awards and IWSC in 2019.

Court Garden operates its own winery on site, where grapes are pressed within 150 metres of the vineyard, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. The vineyard is committed to environmentally friendly viticulture and minimal intervention practices. They foster biodiversity by maintaining ancient woodlands and hedgerows, creating wildflower meadows and ponds, and using sheep to manage grass growth.

Getting here

Address: Court Gardens Farm, Orchard Lane, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8TH.

By Car
There is plenty of free parking available on site. The vineyard is approximately a 30-minute drive from Brighton.

By Public Transport
The nearest train station is Burgess Hill, which is about a 10-minute taxi ride from the vineyard. Alternatively, Hassocks station is accessible via a 5-minute taxi ride or a 40-minute walk (a shortcut away from the main road is available). Hassocks station is on the main London to Brighton line.

What's nearby

Notable Restaurants:
- The Bull (Ditchling): A charming country pub offering good food and featuring boutique rooms, recognized in the Michelin Guide.
- The Fig Tree (Hurstpierpoint): An elegant dining venue in a picturesque village, known for its fresh, seasonal dishes made with local produce.
Notable Hotels:
- South Lodge Hotel (Horsham): A luxurious country house hotel offering breathtaking views, an acclaimed spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Ockenden Manor (Cuckfield): A fine Elizabethan manor house set in beautiful grounds, providing a luxurious country retreat with an outstanding restaurant and spa.
Notable Attractions:
- Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft (Ditchling): Located nearby, this excellent museum showcases the work of renowned local artists and craftspeople.
- Ditchling Beacon: The highest point in East Sussex, offering panoramic views across the South Downs and beyond.