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Bluebell Vineyard is winning many admirers
A pale salmon pink, this has exuberant bubbles. Strawberries, rose petals, cranberries and soft smoke dominate on the nose, while succulent orange zest, creamy peach, and a zingy freshness sing out on the palate.
Wine started out as a fun past-time for us, as we were scientists and then farmers by trade.Joyce Tay - Bluebell Vineyard Owner
As an agricultural site we knew the farm was crying out for something different and English wines were really beginning to make a name for themselves, so we saw an opportunity to combine a passion for wine, with a love and knowledge of the land
When Barry and Joyce Tay first bought Glenmore Farm in 1982 they never would have imagined that the 100 acre estate, once home to thousands of Large Whites, Landrace and
Blue Cross Pigs would now be home to over 100,000 vines growing premium quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Seyval Blanc Vines.
The transition from swine to vine began as a hobby: the establishment of a fine wine collection and an eye opening visit to Romaneé Conti in France.
Being in the heart of Sussex we are generally lucky with the climate. However, I remember one year we were on frost watch, it was 2am and the whole vineyard team was out in the vineyard lighting fires trying to prevent the frost taking hold as it could ruin the entire year's crop.Joyce Tay - Bluebell Vineyard Owner
You are never off duty when you own a vineyard, but making it to our 10 year anniversary this year and tasting through the different vintages we have produced, is a reminder of how far we've come. The rewards have been worth the risk.
Barry, a PhD chemist by training, became fascinated by the science of wine and grapevines and began exploring the possibility of using the land for grapegrowing instead of livestock.
Since 2005 the estate has grown from 15 acres to 70 acres under vine and investment continues in the vineyard and winery. Joyce says that in many ways the vines are considerably more demanding than livestock and being at the mercy of the English weather keeps the whole team on their toes.
