Leonardslee Family Vineyards
What a thrilling moment for English wine! I’m absolutely delighted to share that Leonardslee Family Vineyards has just been named among the world’s very best vineyard experiences, a truly outstanding achievement for this West Sussex estate.
A milestone moment
In November 2025, Leonardslee Family Vineyards announced that they had secured a place at No. 56 in the prestigious World’s Best Vineyards list, a remarkable feat, especially considering that their first English sparkling wines were launched only 18 months ago.
This ranking is curated by a global voting academy of more than 700 sommeliers, wine tourism experts and trade specialists.
Why this matters
English wine has consistently been winning blind taste tests against well known and highly regarded champagne houses, and this recognition puts Leonardslee, and by extension the English sparkling scene, firmly into the global spotlight once again. It’s not just about the bottle on the table, but about the whole experience, the landscape, the hospitality, the story behind the wine.
And for a house so young in the sparkling game to hit global recognition so quickly? That’s bold. That’s exciting.
What makes Leonardslee special
They’re crafting English sparkling wines with serious intention, and they’ve already been rewarded: the Brut Reserve 2021 earned a 95 point score from Decanter.
The setting is sublime: West Sussex downland, soils of chalk and clay that echo what you might find in Champagne country, making this region a serious contend
er for top tier sparkling wine production.
They’ve created more than just vines: The estate invites you in, from vineyard tours to gourmet d
ining, from immersive hospitality to elegant accommodation. The award recognises the “experience” around the wine as much as the wine itself.
What it means for English wine and tourism
This kind of accolade is a win for all of Sussex based wine production, already the largest wine producing county in the UK. It underscores that visitors coming to England don’t just visit to taste, they come to experience. From terroir to table, the journey is what counts.
For wine tourism, estates like Leonardslee are proving that you can compete on the world stage.
A little toast to the future
So raise a glass (ideally one of their sparkling wines!) to Leonardslee! I know what i will be tasing this Christmas.
Cheers! 🥂
Why not visit Leonardslee’s online shop Here