An afternoon at The Pig South Downs with award-winning wines

A one-of-a-kind venue with vineyard views

Located in West Sussex's Madehurst, a hamlet just four miles from Arundel, The Pig South Downs is nestled within the South Downs National Park. The Georgian house, dating back to the 1770s, is defined by high ceilings and abundant natural light, most strikingly in its greenhouse restaurant which overlooks the hotel’s own vineyard, Alpaca Block.

Planted in 2020 by founder Robin Hutson, the two-hectare site is south-west facing, with chalk and clay soils layered with silt, ideal for drainage in England’s unpredictable climate. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier dominate plantings, alongside small parcels of experimental Gamay, with regenerative practices such as sheep grazing already in place.

Early wines from Alpaca Block, including a Chardonnay and rosé, were produced for exclusive on-site consumption. With Dermot Sugrue now overseeing the vineyard and fruit, a new chapter is underway – one that promises even greater precision and ambition.

Dermot Sugrue and England’s top-awarded wines

Few names carry as much weight in English sparkling wine as Dermot Sugrue. With an impressive track record spanning estates such as Wiston Estate and Nyetimber, Sugrue’s influence on the category is profound.

A producer in focus: Sugrue South Downs

At Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, his own label, Sugrue South Downs, secured a Best in Show medal, while wines he has crafted or consulted on also ranked among the highest scorers, including:

• Digby Fine English Rosé Brut 2018 (Platinum, 97 points)
• Ashling Park Estate Blanc de Blancs Brut 2014 (Gold, 95 points)

Tasted at The Pig, Sugrue’s range showcased both breadth and intent, from Alpaca Block wines poured among the vines, to the multi-vintage The Trouble With Dreams and Crouch Valley Pinot Noir 2022, which sold out within hours of release.

Looking ahead, Sugrue has also described the 2025 growing season as a potential ‘unicorn vintage’ – a rare alignment of conditions that could produce wines of exceptional balance, ripeness and ageing potential. It’s a vintage that trade and consumers alike may want to watch closely upon release.

Local benchmarks: Sussex producers in focus

Digby Fine English: Blending with intent

Just a short distance from the hotel, Digby Fine English continues to define a modern, blending-led approach to English sparkling wine. Its Platinum-winning Rosé Brut 2018 impressed with its depth of colour and structure, a style Sugrue has long championed over the trend for paler expressions.

Initially sourcing fruit from across the South East, Digby now also owns vineyards in Kent and the South Downs near Petersfield, combining flexibility with increasing estate expression.

Ashling Park Estate: Estate-grown expression

Around 20 minutes away, Ashling Park Estate offers a contrasting, estate-driven philosophy. Its five-hectare Sussex vineyard supplies all fruit, complemented by lodges, a restaurant, tasting experiences and a gin school.

The Gold-awarded Blanc de Blancs Brut 2014, originally produced under Sugrue’s consultancy, impressed with persistent texture and a long, lingering finish. Today, winemaker Marcus Rayer is guiding the estate forward.

Together, these producers highlight the stylistic range now emerging from Sussex, from blending-led sparkling wines to estate-driven expressions rooted firmly in place.

A magnum moment for England

English sparkling wine reached a milestone at DWWA 2025 with the expansion of its magnum category beyond Champagne.

Sugrue South Downs The Trouble With Dreams 2009 took Best in Show, the first ever in this category. Its backstory is now part of English wine folklore: a lost 2008 harvest at Storrington Priory inspired the name, and the 2009 vintage became the label’s first release. Produced exclusively in magnum (just 600 bottles), it exemplifies Sugrue’s belief that large formats are ideal for ageing and complexity.

The wine sold out almost immediately after DWWA results were announced, though one or two bottles may still be available at The Pig South Downs.

Local produce, world-class wines

True to The Pig South Downs’ ethos, the menu champions ingredients sourced within a 25-mile radius, grounding the experience firmly in its Sussex surroundings. The wine list mirrors this approach, with a dedicated 'From Our Soil' section highlighting English wines at deliberately accessible mark-ups to encourage exploration.

For this tasting, however, the lens widened. Paired with the hotel’s three-course Winter Gatherings menu, a curated selection of DWWA 2025 winners offered a snapshot of global excellence:

• Weingut Birgit Eichinger, Ried Heiligenstein 1ÖTW Riesling, Kamptal 2023 (Gold, 96 points)
• Wirra Wirra, The 12th Man Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills 2024 (Best in Show, 97 points)
• Castello di Meleto, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020 (Platinum, 97 points)
• Béres, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2017 (Platinum, 97 points)

The contrast between local and international wines underscored England’s growing confidence and its place in a global fine wine conversation.

A destination, and a direction, for English wine

At just 48 miles from London, The Pig South Downs offers more than a countryside escape. It’s a gateway to one of the UK’s most dynamic wine regions.

With wines from England consistently performing at the highest level at Decanter World Wine Awards, English wine is no longer an emerging curiosity, but a category with depth, diversity and world-class credentials.

From vineyard to glass, and from local producers to international benchmarks, West Sussex, and the wider South Downs, are proving fertile ground not just for vines, but for ambition.

For those looking to explore the next chapter of English wine, there may be no better place to start.

Don't miss Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results to discover this year's standout English wines. Subscribe to the DWWA newsletter to be the first to hear when they are announced on 17 June.

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