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Organic and Biodynamic Wines in Sussex – Sedlescombe Vineyard and Winery:
A visit to Sussex these days isn’t complete without a vineyard tour. Sedlescombe, though, is something special as the UK’s oldest organic vineyard. Now it is also operated under biodynamic principles. 
The entrance from the road to the vineyard, a large gravelled car park, is no real indication of what you’ll find once you reach Roy Cook’s winery. Perhaps because the tradition of wine making in England has only been revived in recent years, many of the wineries I’ve visited have been fitted with the latest equipment. At best, the technology allows the wine maker to manage the unpredictabilities of English weather more easily. At worst automation results in a loss of passion. At Sedlescombe, the set-up is closer to a family run French or Italian winery and Roy’s obvious enthusiasm, though tempered with commercial sensibility, shines through.
Having inheritated a plot of land, he was happily living ‘The Good Life’, growing organic vegetables and living in a caravan. The land was south facing and perfectly sited for growing vines and the soil just the right level of chalkiness. Roy and his wife Irma, set out to learn how to make the most of their ‘Terroir’ . Roy told us that while organic was an obvious route, the move to biodynamic came more recently, in 2010, at the instigation of the previous vineyard manager. I’ve always been a little mystified by the concept of biodynamic wine and was pleased to be given a no-nonsense explanation by Roy.
The mainstay of biodynamic cultivation is the use of two special preparations. BD500 is a concoction of cow manure used to fill in cow horns that are buried in the soil for the winter. It is supposed to kick start the soil micro-organisms. BD501, is silica, again buried in the soil in cow horns, this time for the summer. This is intended to improve photosynthysis. Of course there’s a lot more that that – a whole range of preparations and practises that include following the moon and the planets as a guide to cultivation.
Of course, what really matters though, is the end result. And the wine is really very good. We tasted our way through various vintages and varieties. My favourite? The deep pink Cuvee Rose Brut 2010, which is a biodynamic wine from regent and pinot noir grapea. Full of stone fruit flavours, it’s a great wine for midsummer drinking. And it won a gold medal in the 2014 international organic wines challenge.
I liked Sedlescombe a lot. We wandered around the vineyard tour – through copse and field, we took a look at the self build house that was constructed in just three weeks in 1986 and is still standing today, and we tasted a lot of wine. It was relaxing and fun. And the wine was very good!
Oh, and Simon even got to do the obligatory vineyard shot, lying prostate worshiping the grape with his camera.
Open all day for most of the year, visitors can enjoy a range of different tours of the vineyard- with the offer of afternoon tea or ploughman’s lunch and a wine tasting session for just £49.50 for two. Roy told us that if you prefer to come by train, the local station is a pleasant hiking distance, so you could easily catch the train and walk to the vineyard for lunch or tea. Wine tasting and teas take place in the ‘Bar in a Barn’ , just next door to the winery itself.
After our walk around the vineyard and tasting session we headed for Battle for a quick tour of the Abbey. Then, our second ‘terroir’ experience, a splendid dinner at Nobles, just a few minutes walk from the Abbey itself.
Paul Noble, chef proprietor of the restaurant came out to tell us a little about his ethos. While Nobles isn’t quite somewhere that can claim farm to fork, it is evident from the menu that there’s more than just a nod to local seasonal sourcing. How about ‘Risotto of Wealdway ash goats cheese and sunblushed tomato for example.
or steamed fenugreek and turmeric chicken with homemade coleslaw and Indian flat bread.
And that was just for starters!
Although we were both very tempted, we wanted to let Paul cook – so, passed on the ‘local Sussex steak experience’ .
Instead, roast saddle of local lamb and braised belly with mint crushed potato, pea and spinach – a rather posh take on a Sunday lunch.
And in my case a fish mixed grill with buttered new potatoes, mussels, clams and shellfish bisque.
It was a great place to round off the day and enjoy a dinner of local produce beautifully cooked and presented elegantly in a friendly environment.
Apart from excellent food, Nobles has an extremely well-priced wine list, in itself worth visiting to try.
This was my first visit to 1066 country for a while – but I’m sure I’ll be back soon to discover more.
Find out more about Sedlescombe Organic and Biodynamic Vineyard on their website.
We were guests of 1066 Country for our visit to Battle and Sedlescombe Organic Wines.
Hmmm, does my bum look big in that pic of me?
Just wanted to add that the 4 mile hike from the station would not be so special were it not for the fact that it goes for almost the entire way along two really pretty country lanes The first, called Poppinghole Lane with virtually no traffic at all, makes it a perfect country walk. The last bit is along another country Lane called Compasses Lane, and then you are at the vineyard entrance. The only bit that is not so good is the 200 yards along the A21 after you leave Robertsbridge before you reach Poppinghole Lane, but even there the traffic visibility is good, so it is not all dangerous.
I know when Roy told us I was a bit sad that we’d driven rather than walked. But I didn’t know the detail. It sounds wonderful
I have never heard of this sort of thing before but it seems like a cool process! The cows horns are an interesting twist. The food looks so good I could almost taste it and I imagine the wine was the perfect addition. This looks like a great way to spend an afternoon!
I’ve just started to develop a passion for visiting vineyards after having hit up Napa Valley in the States – LOVED it! Your culinary photos from Nobles are making my mouth absolutely water!! It really does look like a beautiful part of the countryside, and I can see how a hike from the train station would be a really wonderful way to kick start the day.
Thanks for the feature – will add the deep pink Cuvee Rose Brut 2010 to my list :D!
Wow! Like any others, this is my first time hearing about this: biodynamic wine. It’s a great option for those who are allergic to certain things in grape. I don’t know if this is bad but I don’t like wine, haha, but! I believe that’s because I’m a pretty picky person with food and drinks. So, what I mean to say is that I haven’t found wine that I would like. The deep pink Cuvee Rose Brut 2010 sounds quite interesting though…I don’ know much about different type of wines except sangria, champagne, and…i think that’s it. Anyways! Roy and Irma sounds like a really lovely couple and that this trip was worth the visit 🙂
I think even if you didn’t want to drink wine, you’d have fun on this trip. It’s a beautiful part of the country and there are lots of other food things to enjoy
We’ve heard lots about organic but not much about biodynamic wines – incredibly interesting! Love when chefs use local produce as their inspiration and the meal looks absolutely delicious!
I have a friend who is allergic to some of the additives in wine. He would love to live near Sedlescombe definitely. The Cuvee Rose Brut sounds very appealing and the food looks excellent.
WOW. I never new there was such a thing as organic wine. That award winning Rose sounds amazing!
The UK isn’t somewhere I’d initially think to do a vineyard tour but that food looks great and there is definitely a niche in good organic wine that’s not being filled by many producers at the moment.