Vineyards near Rye are now part of the Rother Wine Triangle – a new trail designed to connect seven of the area’s wine producers. The project was officially launched on Saturday June 21 to coincide with English Wine Week which runs until June 29.
Designed to enhance wine tourism in the region, the trail links vineyards within a triangle bounded by Rye, Hastings and Flimwell.
Participating vineyards include Carr Taylor Vineyard, Charles Palmer Vineyard, Mountfield Winery, Oastbrook, Oxney Organic Estate, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard and Tillingham.
A spokesperson for Rother Wine Triangle said the new trail would encourage visitors to explore some award winning vineyards. “Visitors can undertake the trail by foot or on wheels, enjoying what each vineyard has to offer, whether it be cellar-door tastings, wine tours, dining and events, all whilst enjoying the beautiful High Weald countryside. This pilot marks the launch of a series of wine trails that will roll out across Sussex to celebrate the county’s 140 vineyards and estimated 30 wineries.”
Cllr Hazel Timpe, lead member for tourism at Rother District Council, commented: “The wine industry in Sussex is absolutely booming and Sussex wine tourism is growing year on year – helping to pour millions of pounds into the local economy. Rother is proud to have some of the best vineyards in the county, and I believe this initiative will provide another boost for Sussex Winelands as the UK’s premier wine tourism destination.”
So why is this area so good for wine production? Rother Wine Triangle says it’s because of a combination of sunshine, soil and expertise. “Low lying, the Rother Valley is a warm microclimate that receives some of the most sunshine than anywhere else in the UK. Along with its unique terroir of alluvial soils and sand, silt and clay and sandstone ridges, the region produces award-winning wines of the classic sparkling method, as well as varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Alsatian Pinot clones.”
The Rother Wine Triangle pilot project is funded by the UK Government.
For more information including details of events, tastings and accommodation, please visit: sussexwinelands.com.
Image Credits: Rother Wine Triangle .
A great initiative for a new and growing industry, but the seven vineyards on the map actually form the shape of the feathers on an arrow, and 42 per cent of the vineyards are outside the delineated triangle!
But I guess the ancients named constellations despite the star groupings rarely looking anything like what they are called! I’m not getting Orion!
And I guess the Rother Trapezoid wouldn’t be quite as snappy!