Off The Line sits on the northern edge of the Sussex Weald, fifteen minutes inland from Eastbourne, where the South Downs begin to flatten into farmland. The vineyard climbs a south-facing slope above Hailsham, with thirteen hectares of open countryside and six under vine. The winery itself is a low cedar-clad building with clean lines and big windows, designed to blend into the landscape rather than dominate it. This is a modern operation built from scratch with a clear purpose: making English rosé that actually tastes of something.
The project began in 2014 when the founders decided to focus entirely on rosé at a time when most English producers were chasing the sparkling market. The gamble was to plant disease-resistant red varieties that could ripen reliably in this climate and deliver the kind of acidity rosé needs to stay fresh. Pinot Noir forms the backbone, supported by Regent, Dornfelder, and Rondo — varieties not commonly seen in England but well suited to the maritime conditions here. The south-facing slopes help enormously. These vines get the sun they need without baking, and the natural acidity that results gives the wines structure without tartness.
The wines themselves are split between still and sparkling rosé, all made on site in the purpose-built winery. Everything is hand-harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled tanks. The house style leans toward fruit-forward elegance rather than weight, with red berry flavours and a clean, dry finish. No animal products are used in production, so the entire range is vegan-friendly. Off The Line’s rosés have picked up awards since the first vintage, which is no small feat for a category the English wine industry has only recently started taking seriously. The bottles are straightforward and approachable, the kind of thing you’d drink on a warm afternoon without overthinking it.
Visiting the vineyard means booking ahead for one of the weekend tours that run from May through September. These cost twenty pounds per person and take you through the vines, into the winery, and finish with a tasting of the current releases. The tour guides know the technical side but keep explanations grounded in what you can actually see and taste. Outside tour season, the cellar door wine bar — called Off The Vine — is open Friday evenings and weekend afternoons. It’s a compact, informal space where you can try the full Off The Line range alongside a curated selection of other English wines and local beers. The focus is squarely on wine, so don’t expect a restaurant menu, but it’s a good spot to compare what’s being made across the region.
The site borders the Cuckoo Trail, a former railway line now converted into a walking and cycling route that runs from Polegate down to Heathfield. This makes Off The Line accessible by bike if you’re staying locally, and the vineyard actively encourages visitors arriving on foot or two wheels. Dogs are welcome, which matters if you’re planning a country day out with the family. Children are also fine, though there’s no playground or dedicated kids’ activity — this is a working vineyard rather than a theme park. The emphasis throughout is on sustainability. The winery was designed with environmental impact in mind, including a state-of-the-art waste water treatment system. All grape prunings are mulched and returned to the soil. The broader site supports species-rich habitats, with hedgerows and field margins managed for biodiversity rather than maximum production.
If you’re a regular visitor or serious about English wine, the Wine Club offers decent value: an annual case of six bottles, fifteen per cent off all purchases, and invitations to member events where you can taste upcoming releases before they go on sale. Online orders of six bottles or more ship free, which makes stocking up straightforward.
Off The Line is roughly seventy miles from central London. By car, you’re looking at the A22 through East Grinstead and down toward Eastbourne, turning off just north of Hailsham. The drive takes around ninety minutes depending on traffic. By train, Polegate and Berwick stations are both within a few miles, each around an hour from London Victoria with one change at Lewes or Eastbourne. From either station you’ll need a taxi or a bike, as the vineyard isn’t within walking distance unless you’re committed. Hailsham itself is the nearest town, a functional market town with supermarkets and pubs but not much else to detain you.
This is a vineyard that does one thing and does it well. If you’re after rolling hills and afternoon tea, look elsewhere. If you want to taste what happens when someone plants the right grapes on good land and makes wine without fuss, Off The Line is worth the journey. Book a tour in summer, or just turn up on a Saturday afternoon, try the rosé, and decide for yourself whether English wine needs to be sparkling to be serious.
