Plans to establish a formal wine tourism cluster in West Sussex progressed as Chichester MP Jess Fuller Brown met industry leaders at Ashling Park Estate to discuss adopting the successful Rother Wine Triangle blueprint.
The meeting brought together Gail Gardner, Managing Director of Ashling Park; Marie Davis of Stopham Vineyard, who is leading the Chichester cluster initiative; and Danielle Dunfield, CEO of The Great Sussex Way.
Discussions focused on how the proven Rother Wine Triangle pilot project in East Sussex, including its established toolkit, mapped wine routes, coordinated marketing framework and physical signage system, could now be rolled out across a new Chichester cluster under the Sussex Winelands identity.
The Rother pilot has demonstrated how structured collaboration between neighbouring vineyards can significantly increase visitor dwell time, encourage overnight stays and boost cross-venue spending. Crucially, the project has developed a ready-to-use operational toolkit, enabling other sub-regions to adopt the model efficiently and cost-effectively without duplicating development work.
Chichester’s participating vineyards, including Ashling Park, Tinwood, Stopham, Roebuck and Digby , are geographically well positioned to form a compact, easily navigable wine route. The aim is to create a clearly defined, “do-able” trail allowing visitors to experience multiple vineyards within a single day while strengthening the region’s overall wine tourism offer.
Wine tourism accounts for approximately 25% of vineyard income nationwide, and 90% of producers expect to recruit within the next three years. Industry leaders believe a structured Chichester cluster will accelerate growth while reinforcing Sussex’s national and international reputation.
Jess Fuller Brown MP said: “The success of the Rother Wine Triangle demonstrates what can be achieved when vineyards work together with a clear strategy. Chichester now has the opportunity to replicate that success using a ready-made toolkit and proven signage framework. I will continue championing our local wine sector to ensure it receives the visibility and support it deserves.
Ashling Park showcases the very best of what Sussex wine tourism has to offer: innovation, quality and a genuine visitor experience. It is businesses like this that are helping to put Chichester on the map as a must-visit destination. I am proud to support the growth of our local vineyards and the opportunities they create for jobs, tourism and the wider economy.”
The Chichester rollout is expected to begin with coordinated marketing and visitor orientation planning in 2026.
