New Vineyard Hotel and Restaurant at Leonardslee Family Vineyards

The new Vineyard Hotel and Restaurant at the Leonardslee Estate aims to set a new standard for wine tourism in England. The launch includes the debut of Leonardslee Family Vineyards' first three English sparkling wines, marking a significant milestone for the 750-acre Leonardslee Estate near Horsham.

The Vineyard Hotel features nine boutique rooms, offering guests a luxurious retreat in the heart of West Sussex. Each room provides a peaceful countryside escape, and guests can enjoy the estate's natural beauty and views across the international golf course from the extensive terraces.

Penny Streeter OBE, owner of Leonardslee Estate, said: "This launch represents the culmination of our vision to create a world-class vineyard destination. We've combined premium accommodation, exceptional dining, and our newly released Leonardslee sparkling wines to offer an unparalleled experience for wine enthusiasts, families and other visitors."

The estate's commitment to quality includes its inaugural wine release. Three sparkling Sussex wines are now available: Leonardslee Blanc de Blancs 2020, Leonardslee Brut Reserve 2021 and Leonardslee Brut Rosé 2021. These wines showcase the estate's focus on classic Champagne varietals: 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier.

Barry Anderson, managing director of Leonardslee Wine Estate, said: "Our first wine release represents years of dedication to viticulture and winemaking. With 38 acres under vine and 73,000 vines, we're proud to offer visitors a taste of Sussex terroir through our meticulously crafted sparkling wines."

Guests can explore the vineyards via golf buggy tours, offering a unique perspective on the winemaking process from grape to glass. Visitors can also indulge in tasting experiences at the Leonardslee Tasting Room. The estate anticipates an annual production of 100,000 bottles, cementing its position as a significant player in English wine.

The Vineyard Restaurant, open Wednesday to Sunday, complements the wine experience with a menu inspired by the West Sussex countryside. Emphasising local sourcing and a farm-to-table approach, the restaurant promises a culinary journey that pairs perfectly with Leonardslee's wines.

Beyond wine and dining, golf enthusiasts will appreciate the on-site Mannings Heath Golf Club, boasting both 9 and 18-hole courses. Leonardslee Estate also offers a wealth of other attractions, just three miles away, at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens. It features Grade I Listed woodland gardens as well as the Michelin-starred Restaurant Interlude, a fascinating Beyond the Dolls' House Museum exhibition, and even a colony of wallabies. 

“The opening of the hotel and restaurant and the launch of our wines confirms Leonardslee Estate's position as a premier destination for wine tourism, offering a blend of luxury, nature, and dining excellence. The estate welcomes visitors to experience the best of English wine country, all within easy reach of London and the South Coast,” said Barry Anderson. 

For further information: https://leonardsleefamilyvineyards.com  

Leonardslee Family Vineyards Press Pack

Leonardslee Family Vineyards. Leonardslee Wine Estate, Hammerpond Road, Mannings Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PG, United Kingdom 

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Editors notes

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is a family-owned vineyard estate, near Horsham in West Sussex, which features ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’, Grade I Listed, as well as a Michelin Star restaurant and luxury vineyard accommodation.

The 240-acre estate was established by Sir Edmund Loder, the great Victorian plant collector, and now includes a Sussex Wine vineyard, with the first release of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sparkling wine in 2024.

The estate features outstanding displays all year round. In the spring this includes rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells. The collection is exceptional in its diversity and maturity, with several rare ‘champion’ trees, threatened in their natural habitat.

The gardens offer a protected ecosystem for rare wildlife such as Emperor Dragonflies and Damselflies, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak butterflies and migratory and native birds - Kites, Great Tits, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and Nightingales.

The estate reopened in April 2019, following acquisition and two years’ intensive work by entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE to restore the woodland gardens after eight years of closure and neglect under previous ownership. It was the largest garden restoration project in the United Kingdom since Heligan 30 years before.

Since further restoration work in 2021, visitors can also stay in the luxury vineyard hotel after dining at Restaurant Interlude in Leonardslee House, the Grade II Listed Italianate mansion house, to experience the Michelin Star multi-course tasting menu created by chef Jean Delport.

The estate offers a great family day out and is one of the top places to visit in West Sussex. Visitors can view a magical world in miniature at the Beyond the Doll's House exhibition, which depicts the Edwardian estate and neighbouring villages at 1:12 scale. There is also an exciting new 2,500 sq m play park designed to mix recreational play with the natural attractions of the Grade I Listed woodland gardens, and a spectacular winter festival annually when the gardens are illuminated, attracting many thousands of visitors.

For great days out, there is an extensive programme of entertainment that includes winter garden illuminations and light trails, wine and beer festivals, photo and art exhibitions, live music events, cooking and gardening demonstrations, arts and crafts fairs, modelling and toy shows, and children’s events and adventure trails.

Leonardslee Family Vineyards in numbers

· Acquired 2017 · Total Estate 750 acres · 38 Acres of vineyard, 73,000 vines

· 2017 First vines planted · 170 Tonnes of grapes, 2023 harvest · 100,000 bottles annually produced · Sparkling wine cultivars 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier · 2024 First release of wine