Members enjoy Wiston tour, tastings and brunch in autumn sunshine

Wiston Estate the venue for Sussex branch AGM and social event
Written by Mike Sims. First published on 14 Sep 2023.
Sussex AGM 14
Stunning views of the South Downs during the Wiston tour.

Members enjoyed tours and tastings in the Sussex sunshine as they visited the Wiston Estate for the CLA's county AGM and social event.

The fully-booked Sussex AGM was held at Wiston, a family-run vineyard with a passion for producing award-winning wines. Set amid the 6,000-acre estate of farmland, woodland and pasture, the first vines were planted in 2006.

Since then, Wiston has become recognised as one of England’s most celebrated sparkling wine producers, named WineGB’s Winery of the Year four times.

Today, the estate comprises 14 farms, 2,000 acres of pasture and over 100 homes, criss-crossed with 58km of footpaths and bridleways. Some 1,200 acres of woodland cover the estate, and its 75km of hedges are home to a number of birds, insects and animals.

Guests heard from owner Richard Goring during tours of the vineyard, woodland and estate, and also had an update from CLA President, Mark Tufnell.

The event was kindly supported by Knight Frank.

Sussex AGM 5
Wiston's wine has won many awards in recent years.
Sussex AGM 4
CLA President Mark Tufnell addressing members in the Chalk restaurant.
Sussex AGM 13
The South Downs provided a stunning backdrop to the Wiston tour.