There was a time when the idea of England producing world-class wine would have raised eyebrows. Now, with West Sussex being tipped as “the new Cotswolds”, it seems only fitting that one of the UK’s most renowned vineyards is inviting the public in.

Nyetimber, the pioneering English sparkling wine producer based in West Chiltington, has announced its open days for summer 2025. For a handful of weekends between July and September, visitors will be able to explore the estate’s South Downs vineyards, take part in guided tastings, and – new for this year – stay on for an evening of fine dining paired with some of the house’s most prestigious cuvées.

Nyetimber: Open Day Vineyard Tour and Tastings 

The daytime Open Day Vineyard Tour and Tasting takes guests through the story of Nyetimber: a once-overlooked patch of countryside now home to award-winning sparkling wines that routinely stand up to Champagne in blind tastings. The tours include walks through the vines, an overview of the winemaking process, and a tasting featuring several of the estate’s signature bottles. Dates are limited, with three tours per day across select weekends in July, August and early September.

Nyetimber: 1086 by Nyetimber Paired Dining Experience

For something more elaborate, the new 1086 by Nyetimber Paired Dining Experience offers a chance to see the estate by twilight. These evenings begin with a stroll through the vineyard before a four-course dinner served on site, each dish matched with wines from the 1086 range: Nyetimber’s prestige label, including its top rosé and white sparkling expressions.

Set within a patchwork of rolling hills and flint-studded soil, the Nyetimber estate has been producing wine since the late 1980s and helped lead the charge for English fizz on the world stage. As climate change reshapes European viticulture, southern England’s chalky slopes are becoming an increasingly serious proposition for winemakers. But few estates are as closely associated with the category’s rise as Nyetimber.

For anyone curious about the future of English wine, this is as good a place to start as any.

For more information on Nyetimber’s vineyard visits, see here.