Introducing Tinwood Estate
From Lettuce to Bubbles: The Sparkling Journey of Tinwood Estate
Here at The Wine Shop, we love nothing more than sharing the stories behind the wines we stock — especially when they’re rooted in passion, family, and a deep love for the land. One such story comes from the heart of West Sussex, where Tinwood Estate has blossomed from humble beginnings into one of England’s leading sparkling wine producers.
From Iceberg Lettuce to English Fizz
The story begins in 1985 when Dutch grower Aad Tukker bought Tinwood Farm, located just outside Chichester, at the foot of the South Downs National Park. At the time, the fields were home not to vines but to one of the UK’s first iceberg lettuce crops — a new and exciting prospect imported from California.
For years, the family farm thrived on salad. But in 2005, Aad’s son, Art Tukker, travelled to Marlborough, New Zealand. There, he worked with Mike and Claire Allen of Huia Vineyards and found himself captivated by the world of wine. The experience planted a seed that would soon take root.
By 2006, Art had returned to Sussex with a vision: to transform Tinwood from salad to vineyard and follow his dream of making exceptional English sparkling wine.
A Vineyard Reimagined
Today, Tinwood Estate covers 110 acres of classic Champagne grape varieties — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier — grown on free-draining chalk soils perfect for sparkling wine. The site benefits from a mild coastal climate and stunning views of the South Downs, offering ideal conditions for grape growing.
Art now lives on the estate with his wife Jody and their two sons, Jake and Joshua. As he puts it, “Taking over the family farm in 2006 was my chance to follow my dream in making the finest sparkling wine. Converting our land from salad to wine has been a journey of discovery and joy that I look forward to sharing with you.”
And share it he does — through elegant, expressive sparkling wines that reflect the character of the land and the dedication behind every bottle.
The Taste of Tinwood
Whether you’re raising a glass of Tinwood Brut, Rosé, or Blanc de Blancs, you’re tasting more than just well-made wine. You’re enjoying the story of a family, a farm, and a bold leap of faith — from lettuces to bubbles.