Michael Bremner, trailblazing chef and founder of 64 Degrees and Murmur:

‘You should try Cavendish NV with our Catch of the day tacos or even Grilled chilli squid with Asian salad and miso dressing at Murmur. These vibrant flavours make for a very exciting pairing.’

Visit 64 Degrees or Murmur for their latest menus and discover more ways to bring food and wine to life.

DUCK: As a pinot-dominant blend, the red berry flavours and notes of spice match beautifully with the sweet, earthiness of the meat whilst the Chardonnay adds finesse and freshness.

Try Nigella Lawson’s duck with soy and ginger.

Or Raymond Blanc’s Classic French recipe, roasted duck with orange marmalade.

Kim Ratcharoen, Senior Sous Chef at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay used Fitzrovia Rosé in the BBC’s 2021 Great British Menu.

This ‘delicious…tangy palate cleanser’ was a Mimosa-inspired lychee sorbet with hibiscus syrup and a rosé foam.

For those of us that can only ever dream of having Kim’s culinary skills, try this simple Lychee Pavlova.

SOMETHING SWEET

The simple classic, Strawberries and Cream, is a delightfully fresh and fruity pairing with Fitzrovia Rosé – one of our most popular wines.

Or for an even more British and delicious pairing try, Mary Berry’s Summer Pudding packed full of sweet berry flavours.

Matt Gillan, Michelin-starred chef and founder of Heritage restaurant recommends matching Ridgeview’s Blanc de Blancs with scallops.

‘This pairs beautifully with our Dived scallop, roasted & pickled apricot, samphire and XO sauce. Something special happens when these two things come together.’

Visit Heritage for their latest menu and enjoy an inspiring host of modern-British food and wine matches.

LEMON & FISH: Look for a seafood dish that matches the intensity and freshness of this wine. Add lemon butter into the mix and the aromatic and fruity notes will truly sing. Have you tried Blanc de Blancs with Fish and Chips? You really should!

CHARCUTERIE – This exceptional oak-aged sparkling wine offers a complimentary buttery texture and fresh, fruity notes to lift the rich, spicy flavours of cured meat.

WILD STRAWBERRIES: The creamy palatte of peach, cherry and spice compliments the sweetness of ripe strawberries.

Try Paul Hollywood’s Victoria Sponge for a delicious British classic. Maybe you have a secret family recipe? We’d love to know!

Or how about this Vegan strawberry cheesecake from the Happy Pear?

‘I love the versatility of this wine when it comes to food. Being just the pinots and with the extraction of the delicate colour from the skins in the press, it can pair beautifully with the more robust flavours of roasted lamb, even Thai food and yet goes equally well with more delicately flavoured seafood dishes.

This wine is not just an aperitif, it has been made with food in mind.’

– Tamara Roberts, CEO of Ridgeview

Your Guide to Visiting a Vineyard

English vineyards and wineries up and down the U.K. are creating internationally renowned and global award-winning wines in breath taking countryside settings. We love nothing more than to share our passion by welcoming guests to experience the English wine-making world. There is something to inspire each and every one in ways you might not expect.

Maybe you’re already a champion of exquisite English wine, or perhaps you’re new to this and want to learn more? A visit to a vineyard can be as relaxed as you like. From a casual drop-in tasting and a walk through the vines to an elegant meal and a tailor-made tour, you can explore a local winery at your own pace.

Perhaps you associate wine tourism with historic French Champagne houses, Australian wine regions or the thrilling valleys of New Zealand? You might be surprised to know that all of this is right on your doorstep here in the UK. Read on to discover what an English Vineyard can offer you…

REASONS TO VISIT

Set in dramatic landscapes with unforgettable vistas, English vineyards offer an unrivalled opportunity to get off the beaten track. From wine enthusiasts to new experience-seekers, seasoned connoisseurs to local explorers, they’re a place for everyone to create memorable moments with those that matter.

Classic tours, tastings and guided trails are a fantastic way to experience a vineyard but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a whole host of complementary leisure activities and events. From art exhibitions, yoga classes and craft workshops, to music festivals, chef events and concerts.

English winemaking is a beautiful synthesis of family, sustainability, craftsmanship and celebration. Whether you’re on a staycation or looking for a local hidden gem, we encourage everyone to connect with us in a way that suits you so that you can find your unique place in our diverse community.

Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions or feel like prior knowledge is required. In fact, sharing our passion with people who are new to this is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

Our foundations are based upon collaboration and community. The minute you enter a vineyard, you’ll feel a part of this too.

You can often sample before you buy – just ask the cellar door team who will be more than happy to showcase their range.

If you’ve been on a wine tour before, you’ll know it’s a relaxing yet invigorating journey and is doesn’t end there. Each winery is unique, every wine is distinctive and no two vineyards are the same.

There’s no better way to savour a wine than right at the heart of where it is made and the more vineyards you visit, the more your eyes will open to the beauty of English winemaking.

There are so many options for you to choose from for you to create a flexible personalised day-out.

Wine Cellar Door have a great directory to search for vineyard and winery tours to book directly or why not try something imaginative like a Sparkling Sussex Cycling Tour with a stay at one of the exceptional Historic Sussex Hotels.

Find out about tour and tasting experiences here at Ridgeview or why not send a gift voucher to a friend? We’d love to welcome you!

WHEN TO VISIT

Vineyards and Wineries are a hive of activity all-year round. No two days are the same and all four seasons bring new delights and challenges. Whilst the summer months are full of flowering vines and blue skies, there is so much more to experience throughout the year.

Watch the vines come to life from budburst. See the processes that vineyards are using to protect vulnerable young growth from the risk of frost.

If you are lucky, you may even see beautiful bluebells in the woods surrounding the vineyards – just like here at Ridgeview.

Green foliage develops in the Vineyard as vines begin their growth, you can almost watch them grow before your eyes. Flowers appear in July which are the beginnings of the grape bunches.

These berries will change colour and ripen in August/September in preparation for harvest.

A gorgeous time to visit the vineyards as the leaves on the vines slowly change into beautiful autumnal colours. Once the Vineyard Manager and Winemaker are happy with the quality of the year’s grapes, harvest will begin. All grapes at Ridgeview are picked by hand, normally in late September or October. Look out for wineries offering harvest experience days when you might get the chance to pick the grapes yourself! A visit after harvest is a unique opportunity to check in with the Winemakers to hear about the results of the years vintage.

This is time for the vines to rest after their hard work and they take on a wonderfully stark and atmospheric beauty. Bright and crisp winter weather brings a vineyard atmosphere like no other full of festive allure. Tour visitors will enjoy unique behind-the-scenes access to the winery and cellars for a warm, cosy and enlightening visit. The vineyard shop will be bursting with celebration gifts and winery hospitality spaces are a throng of festive events and Christmas parties.

DINING

Wine Estates offer an array of enticing hospitality experiences for both modern, casual diners and discerning foodies alike. Vineyard dining options are endless but you can be sure that the focus is always on top-quality, seasonal ingredients packed full of flavour.

Vineyards are known for platters and hampers bursting with locally-sourced produce, perfect for a picnic amongst the vines. It’s an ideal atmosphere to meet with friends and family for a relaxed get-together over a sumptuous selection of contemporary dishes and artisan boards.

Or maybe you’re looking for something more celebratory and special? Options abound from luxurious fine-dining restaurants and private events to pop-up chef events and wine pairing evenings.

Look up your local vineyard and find out more on events and activities via Wines GB.

Here in Sussex, our Ridgeview Wine Garden offers artisanal small plates and sharing boards. It’s the ideal spot to dine with friends and family accompanied by a chilled glass of Ridgeview wine.

VINEYARD STAYCATIONS

If you’re looking for a stylish staycation, a relaxing weekend break or a restorative escape to the country you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Wine GB’s directory is a great way to search for accommodation amongst the vines. Or read this article full of inspiration on arranging a vineyard mini break to suit all tastes and budgets. Visit Britain is a brilliant resource to plan an itinerary full of exciting local attractions. Or check out Sussex Modern for inspiration on creative places to be explored and enjoyed here in the South East. Sussex Food and Drink showcases all the local wine producers to visit along with food and farm shops for seasonal and sustainable purchases during your stay.

For a luxurious affair, Exclusive Collection offer unique getaways with their exquisite portfolio of hotels and spas. From well-being retreats to golfing breaks, there’s a wealth of experiences to discover.

If you’re looking for something special –  you’ll find it with Exclusive. Guests at South Lodge can enjoy a whole host of spa and dining packages with three restaurants, a bar, lounge and terrace.

Why not indulge in a lavish treatment at their Ridgeview Beauty Bar and join us here at the Estate for a tour and tasting?

Ridgeview has a fantastic relationship with local hotels and tourism providers with whom we share a love of the beauty and vibrancy of Sussex. Click here for Ridgeview’s accommodation recommendations or create your own unique stay with help from the following websites:

Visit Brighton, Experience West Sussex, Tourism South East, Visit Ditchling, Experience Mid Sussex and South Downs National Park

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