Leonardslee Wine Estate

Why You’ll Like Leonardslee Wine Estate:

Wine, dine and play; the stunning Leonardslee Wine Estate has got it all going on and it’s less than 40 minutes from Brighton. Deep in the heart of the beautiful Sussex countryside, with 360° views of the South Downs, the estate spreads over a vast 500-acre site, surrounded by the ancient St Leonard’s Forest. Much of the unique terroir has been planted with premium vines, while the rest is dedicated to the renowned Leonardslee Wine Estate Golf Courses. 

The jewel in the crown is a historic Tudor-esque manor house now home to The Vineyard Kitchen restaurant, The Vineyard Hotel and The Leonardslee Tasting Room. 

The grapes for Leonardslee Sparkling Wine are grown at The Leonardslee Family Vineyards but the estate is also the UK home to the award winning wines from Benguela Cove in South Africa. Both estates are owned by Penny Streeter OBE and her family whose clarity of vision, innovative spirit and dedication to quality is everywhere. 

The Vineyard Kitchen

Enjoy idyllic views of the estate from the first floor windows of The Vineyard Kitchen while you explore the menu of seasonal dishes inspired by the surrounding countryside. This top-tier Sussex restaurant has a contemporary farm-to-table approach and the chef prioritises the use of deliciously fresh local produce from Horsham, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Surrey showing a genuine commitment to both culinary quality and sustainability. 

The welcoming, contemporary dining room is filled with light and perfect for every occasion, all year round. Dine alfresco on the gorgeous terraces during the summer months or warm up by the roaring fire in the winter season. 

A classic brunch menu is served from 08:30 to 11:00 with lighter options like granola or chia bowls and pastries as well as heartier, cooked brunch dishes. Don’t miss out on the ever-popular Eggs Benedict or the fuller than Full English. Hot dishes are served with complimentary tea, coffee or orange juice. 

Designed to complement the estate’s award-winning wines, the lunch menu takes a modern approach to bistro dining. Fresh ingredients take centre stage, with both favourite and surprising flavour combinations from around the globe offering a pleasing variety to guests.

There is a reasonable selection of vegetarian options, a good children’s menu and, of course, someone will always be on hand to suggest a wonderful bottle of wine to complement your order.

Book afternoon tea in advance and indulge in a wonderful selection of finger cut sandwiches, sweet and savoury pastries, delicate cakes and fresh scones. Just please don’t forget to order a bottle of sparkling as an extra – it really would be a shame to miss out. 

Sunday Lunch

The Sunday roast at The Vineyard Kitchen is a weekly highlight, with a great selection of mouth watering starters followed by the Chef’s selection ‘Roast of the Day’, slow cooked beef brisket or delicious vegetarian option served with all the best trimmings; roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, rich homemade gravy and more more more. 

RB LOVES

The wonderful sculptures by renowned South African artist  Anton Smit which are found around the estate. More pieces of Smit’s work grace the beautiful landscapes of Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens.

Community and Sustainability

Leonardslee Wine Estate’s commitment to using local producers shows its commitment to sustainability, supporting the local community and economy while ensuring the freshness and quality of its dishes. 

Essentials:

• Wine Tasting Room: The state of the art Leonardslee Tasting Room has been designed as a place to celebrate winemaking with a schedule of excellent, bespoke wine tasting experiences which will appeal to both connoisseurs and enthusiasts.
• Leonardslee Family Vineyards: Located across two sites (Leonardslee Wine Estate and Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens), the vineyards released their first three wines to coincide with English Wine Week in 2024. 
• The Vineyard Hotel: You can now stay at the brand-new 9-bedroom boutique hotel which offers luxurious accommodation in the stunning seclusion of the Leonardslee Wine Estate. In addition, the 17th Century Fuller’s Cottage has been lovingly restored and can sleep up to eight guests.
• Leonardslee Wine Estate Golf Courses: Offering challenge and beauty in equal measure, the estate is home to the championship 18-hole Waterfall Course – considered one of the best in the country – and the 9-hole Kingfisher Course which is suitable for a range of abilities.
• Vineyard Picnics: Fabulous vineyard picnics are available. Choose from a delicious sweet or savoury picnic and collect from the estate before you head off into the vines to find a secluded spot you can enjoy together. From £120. 
• Private dining and Events: The estate boasts nine unique dining spaces to accommodate a wide range of events or private dining. Leonardslee is the ideal venue for weddings, meetings, corporate events and conferences. Contact the venue for more information. 
• Dog friendly: Leonardslee Wine Estate is set amidst acres of pristine Sussex countryside, perfect long walks, so you’ll be pleased to hear that The Vineyard Kitchen welcomes four-legged guests. 

Parking: Free parking is available.