In the heart of East Sussex lies a family-owned winery that has been making waves in the world of English sparkling wine for almost 30 years. With award-winning wines and a commitment to sustainable viticulture, Ridgeview Winery (ridgeview.co.uk) is a success story worth drinking to!
Not only an award-winning Winery but also a driving force behind ambitious plans to increase Sussex’s wine tourism sector value from £25 million to an impressive £283 million by 2040. ‘Sussex Wine Tourism: A Plan for Growth’ was launched on June 14 and aims to create 3,633 new jobs and establish Sussex as the top wine tourism destination in the UK.
With 138 vineyards currently in operation, many of which are award-winning and open to the public, visitors can enjoy a range of experiences, including cellar door sales, tours, tastings, food and drink, shopping, accommodation, and events.
Ridgeview Winery is a family-owned and operated winery in East Sussex, England. It is one of the leading producers of English sparkling wine, and its wines have won numerous awards, including the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge.
Ridgeview Brut NV is the winery’s flagship wine, made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. It is a dry, crisp wine with citrus, apple, and brioche notes.
The winery was founded in 1995 by Mike and Christine Roberts. They planted their first vines in the South Downs National Park, a region well-suited for growing grapes for sparkling wine. It has over 100 acres of vineyards, producing sparkling wines, including Brut, Blanc de Blancs, and Rosé.
Ridgeview is committed to sustainable viticulture. The winery is a member of the Sustainable Winegrowing UK association. The winery is also a certified B-Corporation, which meets high social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency.
Join us as we speak to their director of communications, Mardi Roberts, about the secrets behind their success and the future of UK wine tourism. In this exclusive interview, Mardi takes up the story and predicts a resilient future for Gatwick Diamond and UK Wine Tourism.
To help the uninitiated, what is wine tourism?
“Wine tourism aims to create a wonderful destination from which we can attract national and international tourists from around the world. We have some fantastic vineyards that have really sprung up in the last 20 years, doubling what we produce in England. Alongside this, some of the bigger venues are really focusing on tourism.
“There’s nothing better than enjoying a fantastic glass of wine where it’s produced. So you can really enjoy and soak up that atmosphere.”
What do we need to know about the new Wine Tourism strategy?
“We’re really focusing on Sussex as a region. Not only is Sussex known for being the sunniest county, but we also love wine from all over England. However, as Sussex producers, we can really join together to make it a destination. What’s wonderful is having Gatwick Airport as our anchor, being so close to London and Brighton; we’re kind of spoiled for choice.
“We really envision the future in such a beautiful county. We are in and around the South Downs, where these vineyards are emerging. We really see the potential to create a destination for people to come, enjoy, soak up the sunshine, and savour a glass of sparkling wine.
“Together, we’ve launched our vision for the next several decades up to 2040, outlining how important wine tourism can become for our entire county. We see the potential for how this could greatly benefit the local visitor economy and put Sussex on the map.”
Where does Ridgeview fit in?
“We aim to position ourselves as the headline act in a visitor story. We’ve been here for around 27 years, and we feel passionate about the growth of English wine. But what we want is to be stronger together as a category. We see that wine and Sussex wine, in particular, can be the anchor for the story of Sussex and its local visitor economy.”
“It’s not only visually beautiful, but it’s also backed by data. For example, 70% of inbound visitors consider visiting local food and drink producers their number one priority. So why not create a wonderful visitor experience for people to come and enjoy, whether they’re domestic or international visitors?”
How can other businesses in the region support the Wine Tourism effort?
“Our goal is a 360 strategy, working together with other fantastic tourism destinations. We are part of the Sussex Visitor Economy Group, which includes prominent attractions like Brighton Pavilion and Sussex Modern. The latter is a wonderful organisation that connects wine, art, and landscape.”
“We’re spoiled for choice in the South Downs National Park. Everyone coming together with amazing produce, fantastic accommodations, and efficient transportation—it’s about connecting all the dots and working collaboratively to create a magical destination.”
“At Ridgeview, we see the number one thing as the view of the beautiful Ridge of the South Downs, which our name comes from. The view is absolutely stunning. Even though I’ve been here from Australia for the past 25 years, the view still takes my breath away every day.”
“Recently, Ridgeview launched a new restaurant on-site named the Rows & Vine. It’s called the Rows & Vine because it harmoniously sits alongside the vines and our woodland, all within the South Downs National Park.”
“People can sit and enjoy the magical views of the Ridge while also indulging in perfect sharing platters. We want people to come and enjoy their time together. Our strapline at Ridgeview is that life is for celebrating, and that message is in every bottle. So we want people to come, enjoy the local food, savour the wine, and most importantly, celebrate life’s moments.”
What makes Gatwick Diamond so unique?
“I believe what makes the Gatwick region so special is its perfect location. If I hadn’t landed anywhere else from Australia, I’m not sure if I would still be here! We have the perfect combination of stunning seaside along with the rolling hills right along the coast. But most importantly, our proximity to the world is a unique advantage, with Gatwick Airport right there.”
“Being so close to London, yet living in such a beautiful area, feels like a privilege. Additionally, Gatwick Airport serves as our gateway, connecting us not only to customers but also to business opportunities in London.”
“Our location gives us a fantastic advantage. My father-in-law, who established Ridgeview in 1995, always looked to Champagne for inspiration. One of the most fantastic things about the Champagne region was its proximity to Paris.
“He saw the economic potential of being in rolling hills yet close to a major city, and that’s what we’re experiencing now. We’re only five minutes from Burgess Hill Station, 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport, and 20 minutes from Brighton. Our location is perfect, and it provides both accessibility and beauty.”
What role does resilience have to play in the region’s success?
“Resilience has been a word that’s been used extensively over the last couple of years. Not many positive things came from the pandemic, but there were some useful lessons. The strength of our business resilience really stood out. In terms of tourism, the pandemic encouraged people to explore local options. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the choice to travel far, but many discovered local gems they hadn’t previously known about.”
“During those times, people learned to embrace the outdoors and be hardy. For Ridgeview, our site is alfresco, which presents its own challenges in England’s weather. Yet, it’s heartening to see people willing to embrace the outdoors and celebrate moments despite the weather. The pandemic also pushed us to pivot and focus on our online presence, which turned out to be thriving. Overall, many businesses, including Ridgeview, learned valuable lessons in resilience.”
“It’s important to recognise the efforts and achievements of everyone who got through those challenging times. Although we’re now facing new challenges, it’s worth taking a moment to pat ourselves on the back and acknowledge what we’ve overcome. Also, taking care of our teams and ensuring their well-being was crucial. At Ridgeview, being a B Corp company—one of 25 wineries worldwide—means focusing on sustainability and the well-being of our team members.”
What does sustainability mean to Ridgeview?
“Sustainability is more than just a buzzword. Since its establishment in 1995, Ridgeview has always emphasised sustainable practices. We have a reed bed and a bio bubble, and we were the first to use a recycling sprayer. We even have an underground cellar, a rarity in England, and we’ve always looked ahead to future generations. Sustainability isn’t just about being environmentally conscious; it also involves maintaining a profitable business. My father-in-law used to stress that sustainability must include profitability to ensure a lasting impact.
“The pandemic forced us to pivot swiftly and take our business online. We initiated free next-day delivery to customers, which contributed to the growth of our online business. The pandemic highlighted the importance of resilience and adapting to changing circumstances.”
“Being a part of various boards, including the Sussex Visitor Economy Group and Sussex Modern, I strive to ensure representation for these organisations.”
Ridgeview Winery is open to the public for tours and tastings. The winery also has a restaurant, The Rows & Vine, which offers a menu of seasonal dishes paired with Ridgeview wines.
For more information visit www.ridgeview.co.uk