THE village of Bolney can trace its roots back to Saxon times and has always been the centre of an agricultural economy. Nick Mosley visits Bolney Wine Estate and Wobblegate Farm to discover how the area has become a food hub.

In medieval times Bolney was renowned for its cherries, but nowadays it is apples and grapes that are the main agricultural crops to be found in the countryside village.

In fact, Bolney is now home to Sussex’s largest cider and apple juice producer and also the oldest commercial winery in the county, if not the country.

Bolney is finding its feet as one of Sussex’s premier food and drink destinations, with considerable investment in the past 12 months from both Bolney Wine Estate and Wobblegate Cider Farm.

Earlier this year, Wobblegate, in Cowfold Road, opened The Cider Tap – a café-bar featuring 22 different ciders on tap every day plus a food offering including stone-baked pizzas.

The ciders come from both the farm – including their WG1 Heritage and Rebel Root ranges – plus a weekly curated range from other leading independent cider producers.

While at the farm you can have a taste of the ciders and then buy your favourites by the pint to stock up on at home.

Tom Stephens from Wobblegate said: “Even though our main focus is showcasing the world of craft cider in all its glory, The Cider Tap has become a community and social hub.

“It’s a great place for individuals, couples and families to hang out and enjoy good food and drink.

“We’ve got a beautiful west-facing garden, and for children we also have a huge four-acre field opposite for them to burn off some energy.”

Wobblegate Farm can be found alongside Bolney Wine Estate, in Foxhole Lane, which is now a third generation wine-producing family in Sussex.

Describing themselves as “guided by nature”, award-winning Bolney produces some of the finest still and sparkling English wines on its extensive estate.

Sam Linter, who works at Bolney Wine Estate, said: “We offer various vineyard and winery tours and have self-guided trails that are the perfect opportunity to see around our vineyards and to enjoy the rich and wide variety of wildlife that live in the vines.

“We offer fantastic breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas in our café-restaurant headed by chef Ian Brunsdon, and also host events such as art classes, quizzes and many other events on our terrace overlooking our vineyards.

“We love to welcome families, children and even pet dogs.”

The two businesses have plenty of additional reasons to visit them across the year.

Wobblegate will be hosting pop-up restaurants, monthly farmers markets, food trucks, tap takeovers, and its first cider festival later this year.

Meanwhile at Bolney there are summer and Christmas fairs, featuring local food producers, makers and artisans, alongside jazz nights and daily vineyard tours.

It is particularly keen to show off its new winery this summer.

Tom said: “We are situated just a couple of fields away from our wonderful neighbours at Bolney vineyard.

“There are also dozens of footpaths leading to and from us, around our farm and the beautiful Sussex countryside.”

For a food and drink centred afternoon in Sussex, Bolney is certainly one to watch this year.