Best of Sussex wine event to be held on the Brighton i360, 450ft above Brighton beach
A first-of-its-kind best of Sussex wine event will take place inside Brighton i360’s glass pod 450ft above Brighton beach on Thursday 4th May from 7.30pm. If you're looking to sample a range of high-quality local fare to serve at your wedding, this is one not to be missed. The event will showcase the finest wines in the Sussex region from the respected Bolney Wine Estate, Nyetimber and Albourne Estate, while guests will also enjoy the beautiful 360° views of Sussex.
Guests will board an extended 45-minute pod journey to the skies where they will enjoy a decadent evening of exploring nine unique Sussex wines, while also learning about the people behind the bottles that showcase the Sussex region, grapes and styles in all its glory.
Brighton i360’s sky bar is sponsored by Nyetimber, who is regarded as England’s finest sparkling wine provider after it was the first producer of English Sparkling Wine to exclusively grow the three celebrated grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Guests will taste and learn about three Nyetimber wines - including Classic Cuvee, which is the signature wine of Nyetimber’s collection. Classic Cuvee offers the perfect balance of elegance, complexity, and intensity. Cuvee Cherie will also be showcased, which is a first of its kind to launch in England and masterfully balances sweetness and acidity that enables it to pair with delicate desserts or fragrant savoury dishes with light spice. The last wine to feature is Rose Multi-Vintage, created from Nyetimber’s three celebrated grape varieties and is perfect for all seasons.
In the heart of rural Sussex also lies Bolney Wine Estate, one of England’s oldest vineyards. Proud to have been pioneers of English Wine, Bolney create award-winning still and sparkling wines on its 34-acre Sussex vineyard.
Guests will taste easy-drinking and firm favourite, Lychgate Bacchus - which has jasmine, elderflower and ripe grapefruit notes - followed by hints of nettle and freshly cut grass.
The second wine to feature will be Pinot Gris, an elegant and refreshing wine that offers lots of concentrated stone fruit character with pear and apricot and a touch of orange blossom and honey.
Lastly, guests will be able to try Lychgate Red, which is a rich and complex inky purple red wine that has flavours of ripe stone fruits, spice and warming herbaceous notes. With seep flavours of dark chocolate and black olive tapenade, this wine has a long, fresh, and soft finish.
Sam Linter, Chairperson of Bolney Wine Estate, says: “We’re excited to be part of this Sussex showcase alongside a selection of the best from the region. We’re proud of our Sussex heritage and have always been inspired by our surroundings, so we’re looking forward to demonstrating how this has helped us to innovate and create our award-winning wines for the last 50 years.”
Albourne Estate is a family-owned vineyard and winery overlooking the beautiful South Downs, just eight miles from Brighton in the heart of the Sussex countryside. Albourne craft small quantities of award-winning still and sparkling English wine using its own sustainably grown grapes. The vineyard stretches over 30 acres of south-facing slopes and comprises eight different grape varieties.
On the evening guests will try Sandstone Ridge, a chardonnay-led blend that offers a perfectly balanced fuller wine than is typical in England. This wine is complimented by aromas of white peach, coconut and vanilla pod with just a touch of toasted almonds. The second wine from Albourne Estate is Bacchus, which is characterised by aromas that range from herbal (basil, sage, nettle) to citrus (lime, grapefruit) to fruit (medlar, mango, passionfruit) to floral (elderflower). Sussex Rosé is the last wine on offer. This elegant wine is refreshing and moreish and made from de-stemmed and crushed Pinot Noir. This Provençal-style rosé delivers a fresh crisp minerally palate with delicate aromas of red summer fruits, rhubarb and white pepper.
Alison Nightingale, from Albourne Estate, says: “As a Sussex-based vineyard located so close to Brighton, we are delighted to be invited and support the i360 in this Best of Sussex Showcase.”
Speaking about the event, Chief Executive Officer at Brighton i360, Ian Hart says: “As a celebration of the huge variety and increasing popularity of wines produced in our home county of Sussex, we are hosting this first-of-its-kind event for the public to taste the best wines from our local area - while enjoying the beautiful views of Sussex.”
Date: Thursday 4th May Times: 7.30pm or 8.30pm, flights laste 45 minutes. Price: £45 per person (over 18s only); £40 per person for resident members and annual pass holders
County Wedding Events comes to Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey
If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 8th November, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.
READ ARTICLE
Bradbourne House Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events
If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Bradbourne House, Kent, for inspiration on Sunday 1st November, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.
READ ARTICLE
County Wedding Events comes to Penshurst Place, Kent!
If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at the Penshurst Place, Kent, for inspiration on Sunday 8th November 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face wedding with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.
READ ARTICLE
Why more couples are letting the coast shape their wedding day
For couples planning a wedding, the setting is increasingly becoming more than a backdrop. Research from WeddingDates found that 78% of UK couples consider location an important factor when choosing a venue, with more than a third specifically influenced by the view. Rockwater, the UK coastal hospitality brand with beachfront venues in Hove and Branksome, says this is helping reshape how couples approach weddings by the water. Rather than simply choosing a coastal venue and then planning the celebration independently of it, couples are increasingly allowing the landscape, changing light and relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces to influence the day itself. Rockwater has identified four of the key considerations shaping modern coastal weddings.
