The South Downs is falling down with wine and beer producers, and you might be too if you sample goodies from them all. So book your train before hitting the trails. Here are just a few aperitifs to get you started...
Harveys of Lewes is the oldest brewery in the region, and has paved the way for newer ones to follow. But this institution, established in 1790, with its winning combination of malt, hops, spring water from its own artesian well, and of course, its own special yeast, has made this a multi award-winning brewery. Try them yourself at the shop in
Lewes High Street or find out more on one of their brewery tours - but be warned, there is a two year waiting list for one of those. Told you it was good.
The English Wine Centre, Berwick, stocks over a hundred English wines, including some from the South Downs region such as that of the Ridgeview Estate in Ditchling. They also host a wine tasting event on the first Saturday of every month at 11.30am. Luckily there is a train station at Berwick, so you can keep tasting all day, moving on from a tasting to a tasty lunch in their
celebrated restaurant.
Highdown Vineyard doesn't hide its light under a bushel, its vines gleaming on the sunny southern slopes of the South Downs, between Littlehampton and Worthing. They have a shop, tastings and tours on site, and also a tea room for a more sober approach to things.
Ridgeview Wine Estate is just north of Ditchling Beacon, one of the highest points on the South Downs. It specialises in sparkling wines, all available in their winery shop as well as during their
tours and tasting events.
