Drive through the Sussex Weald towards Furner’s Green and Bluebell Vineyard Estates announces itself gradually — a working farm that has quietly transformed into one of East Sussex’s most serious wine-producing estates. Pull into Glenmore Farm and the scale of the place becomes clear: nearly 100 acres of vines stretching across the undulating landscape, with woodland walks threading between the rows. This is a proper winery, not a weekend project, and the atmosphere reflects that — purposeful and welcoming in equal measure.
The story starts in 2005, when the first vines went into the ground on what had been a conventional farm. Two decades later, those early plantings have grown into an estate of over 100,000 vines spanning both East and West Sussex. The founders took their time getting things right, and the decision to focus almost entirely on traditional method sparkling wine — using the same labour-intensive production techniques as Champagne — has shaped everything that followed. The chalky geology beneath Sussex and the cool, extended growing seasons here make a compelling argument for the style, and Bluebell has leaned into that logic with real commitment.
The wines come in two distinct ranges. The Hindleap sparkling wines are the headline act — vintage productions made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, hand-harvested by individual vineyard block and aged on yeast lees for between 18 and 60 months depending on the cuvée. Winemaker Kevin Sutherland works with an unusually wide selection of grape clones — nine Chardonnay, fourteen Pinot Noir and four Pinot Meunier — which adds layers of complexity that simpler operations can’t achieve. Fermentation runs cool, at 12 to 13 degrees over four weeks, preserving the natural fruit character that the Sussex climate develops. Almost all the wines are single-vintage releases, meaning each bottle reflects a specific year rather than a blended house style. The Ashdown range covers still wines from the estate, drawing on varieties including Bacchus, Ortega, Chasselas and Seyval Blanc alongside Merlot. Between the two ranges, the estate has accumulated over 100 national and international awards — numbers that start to carry genuine weight when the competition includes French and Italian producers.
A visit here works on several levels. The simplest option is to walk in for a drop-in tasting at the terrace or tasting room, where you can work through the current releases with a cheese board alongside. No booking needed, no commitment to a tour — just wine and conversation at your own pace. For something more structured, the guided tour runs for 90 minutes at £23.95 per person and takes you through the vineyard and winery with a proper explanation of how the wines are made, finishing with a tasting. The wine and cheese tour extends that to two hours for £33.95, adding a more substantial food pairing. Both tours are adults-only, so visitors should plan accordingly, though children are welcome elsewhere on the estate including the vineyard and woodland trails, which are open seven days a week for self-guided walks.
Dogs are genuinely welcome here rather than merely tolerated — the estate’s own materials make a point of it, and the woodland setting makes for a good walk regardless of whether wine is the main event. The trails wind through the bluebell-strewn woodland that gives the estate its name, and in spring that detail earns its keep. There’s no full restaurant on site, but cheese boards served alongside tastings do the job for a relaxed afternoon, and the focus stays firmly on what’s in the glass.
The opening hours reflect a business that’s serious about its tasting room operation: Thursday and Friday from 11am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Tours should be booked in advance, though drop-in tastings are available during opening hours. All wines across both ranges are vegan-friendly, and the online shop offers free delivery on orders of six or more bottles — useful if you want to restock before making the trip.
Getting here from London is straightforward. Haywards Heath station is roughly four miles away and sits on the direct line from London Bridge and Victoria, with journey times around 45 to 50 minutes. From there a taxi or short drive through the Wealden countryside brings you to Glenmore Farm. The nearest town is Uckfield, a few miles to the east. If you’re combining wine with a day in the countryside, the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty runs through this part of East Sussex, and Bluebell sits comfortably within reach of a half-day out or a full weekend itinerary. Book the tour in advance and leave time for the walk — it’s the kind of afternoon that justifies the journey.
