Tucked away in a deeply secluded, dry chalk valley just two miles from the English Channel, Breaky Bottom is a true jewel of the South Downs in East Sussex. The name itself is steeped in local heritage - with 'Bottom' being traditional Sussex vernacular for a chalk valley - and the site even holds a mention in the historic Domesday Book. This unique, sheltered landscape provides a flawless maritime climate for viticulture, allowing the vines to thrive while protected from the harshest coastal elements.
The estate focuses entirely on traditional method sparkling wines of exceptional quality. Alongside classic Champagne grape varieties, the vineyard is famous for its pioneering use of Seyval Blanc, which was first planted here back in 1974. To achieve their renowned textural finesse and myriad of deeply complex flavours, the wines undergo remarkably patient cellaring, spending up to seven years ageing on their lees before release. Every wine made is from a single vintage, resulting in just two highly focused cuvées each year.
The story of the estate is completely inseparable from its legendary founder, the late Peter Hall. Widely remembered as the father of the contemporary English wine scene, he first recognised the potential of the run-down farm in the 1970s and built a lifelong legacy of careful, kid-glove vineyard husbandry. In a beautiful and lasting tribute, each cuvée is dedicated to a friend or family member of special importance to him. Following his passing in 2025, his pioneering spirit and highly personal winemaking approach continue to be celebrated, with his family now proudly managing the estate to ensure his remarkable legacy lives on in every bottle poured.