The estate has been producing since 1972 when owners Janet and Rodney first planted a small number of vines. Their efforts since have expanded rapidly, producing pinot gris, pinot noir and chardonnay along with a number of other varieties, and expanding from 3 acres to a whopping 39. I’m told further world-dominion (or at least Sussex-dominion) is planned. Recently they won UK Wine Producer of the Year in the International Wine and Spirit Competition so…they’re doing well.
The evening begun with a terribly civilised wander through the lush vines, learning about the varieties, growing techniques and land. Our hike was accompanied, naturally, by a few glasses of their signature sparkling Blanc de Blancs – a fabulously dry and citrusy sip that has won multiple, multiple awards.
Bolney are beginning to offer these tours to the public now- you can take yourself on a jolly jaunt of the vines for a bare £3, or for £16 per head go guided, followed by a tutored tasting of three wines. More up my street (I live on Greedy Avenue) is their Grand Gourmet Tour: a guided tour followed by a 5 course food and wine matching and lunch. At £42.50 it won’t break the bank either.
Their reds were also good (although nothing, nothing is as special as that Pinot Gris) and I especially liked a 2013 Pinot Noir; medium bodied, hits of cherry and a cheeky little oak finish. Perfectly good.
Next, dinner called – six courses of it at that. We were eating in Bolney’s wine sheds, surrounded by vats, shiny bits of equipment and casks! Very cool.
Next, spider crab with blackcurrant leaf and gooseberry with my favourite Pinot Gris, followed with a fresh tomato salad with summer herbs and sheep’s curd. This was paired with a Bolney rose which was really nice and fresh – nice spritzes of gooseberry throughout and lightly fruity.
My favourite course came next in a mightly slab of smoked Gloucester Old Spot with pickled wild garlic dressing and Bolney’s gluggable Pinot Noir. The pork melted on the bite and that naughty little dressing brought the whole plate together in wonderful, garlic wafting, deep porky moreishness.
The final course of the evening was a punnet of pick your own strawberries, of various types, with dipping cream and a very special Bolney Cuvee Noir Sparkling Red. People aren’t used to drinking sparkling reds but they are wonderful! This was deeply strawberry laden with hits of summer fruits and a slight dry tannin linger. I liked it a lot and serving it alongside things like strawberries or a summer pudding is ideal.
So ended my almost Bacchic excursion into the wilds of Sussex – vines, wine and scrumptious food cooked at the hands of someone I’ve watched quite a lot of on the tele. Sure beats a night on the tiles at Wetherspoons, hey. A sensational summer's evening.
Tours are available via the Bolney website: https://www.bolneywineestate.com
Wines are available via their website, supermarkets and specialist wine shops!
