Breaky Bottom: A Quiet Fold in the Sussex Downs

A legacy of pioneering English wine, rooted in family and place.

Breaky Bottom sits in a beautiful, secluded fold in the Sussex Downs. It is wonderfully remote.

Our family planted the vineyard here in 1974. Having farmed pigs on the land since 1968, the idea of a vineyard was maverick. By a stroke of extraordinary good fortune, this quiet idyll in the Downs turned out to sit atop the very same belt of chalk that stretches from Sussex all the way to Champagne in France—ground that later revealed itself to be perfect for crafting sparkling wine. Peter Hall saw the great potential offered by a local climate much like that of Champagne and the Loire. At that time, modern plant science was just starting to develop early-ripening grape varieties. Slowly, a fresh demand emerged for clean, elegant, cool-climate wines.

Today, the English wine market is dynamic and full of life. We are deeply proud that Peter and Christine were true pioneers in this movement.

Peter, once referred to as the “Johnny Cash of English wine”, passed away last year, but his spirit remains firmly woven into the soil of this valley. For decades, he and Chris, welcomed countless people down the long track that leads to our remote farmhouse. They happily shared their time, stories, and wine with international visitors, leading buyers, and everyday wine lovers.

We hope his life's work continues to inspire and educate a new generation of winemakers and enthusiasts for years to come.