Meet the Women behind Sussex Wine
We raise a glass to the remarkable achievements of inspiring women who are making waves in the wine industry in Sussex. From running their own vineyards to crafting exquisite wines, these trailblazers are not only producing exceptional vintages but also paving the way for future generations. This International Women's Day join us as we dive into their stories, explore their passion, dedication, and the celebrate the unique contributions they bring to the world of winemaking. We've got interviews and a video below so you can find out more about these amazing women.
Cheers to the women of Sussex who are redefining the landscape of viticulture!
Kristin Syltevik
Tell us about yourself
I'm Kristin Syltevik, Oxney. I'm a Wine producer (i.e I grow grapes, make wine, sell wine…) and I started the vineyard in 2012.
As a woman in leadership, do you see yourself as a role model?
Absolutely. I have been in a leadership position since 1996 - working in my previous career which was public relations - and moving into wine production in 2012. Women on the whole are often quite happy to be in the background, to be the organiser, the enabler. I feel that women need to show that they can also lead, innovate, be the driver. And I hope I have shown that this is absolutely possible.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I started my own company in 2000 when I was 35 years old and I should have started it a few years earlier. My message should have been ‘go for it Kristin!'
What is your favourite wine of the moment?
I had - shared of course - a bottle of Champagne Fleury Cépages Blancs 2012. Absolutely delicious and highly recommended.
Marie Davies
Tell us about yourself
My name is Marie Davies, and my current position is Head of Trade Sales at Stopham Vineyard. As part of a small but dynamic team, my role spans a broad range of responsibilities, including overseeing operations, marketing, trade and consumer tastings, grant applications, and identifying new business opportunities. I joined Stopham in February 2020, right at the onset of the pandemic, which has made my journey particularly interesting! Having recently celebrated my five-year anniversary with the company, I’m excited for what lies ahead in the world of English wine and in contributing to the growth of the Sussex wine sector.
As a woman in leadership, do you see yourself as a role model?
That sounds like a very tall order ! I wouldn't say that I see myself as a role model or that I take myself too seriously but I am passionate about what I do and I try to lead by example, giving the best advice in light of my experience over the years across a multitude of industries. My career has taught me that people buy people and that it is so important to nurture and maintain relationships and in turn you build a reputation. Listening to others, building trust and being true to my word are values close to my heart. As a woman, I am proud of the relationships I have built both in my business and my personal life.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don't worry about it ! I have always been a bit of a worrier and in my younger career days I would often shy away from opportunities that seemed too daunting but which actually help you grow. My advice would be, don't worry, go for it !
What is your favourite wine of the moment?
Is this a trick question? English wine of course! Aside from our delicious Stopham whites, I love discovering all sorts of wine. There are so many beautiful vineyards and excellent home grown wines to discover on our doorstep here in the UK. There is a very diverse range available, many of which are gold medal winners. A particular favorite of mine is the barrel fermented Stopham Pinot Blanc.
Further afield, I have also been discovering lighter styles of red wine from northern Italy, Valpolicella, Barolo, Sangiovese and one of my all time favourite wines is a Limoux Chardonnay. The grapes are grown on the hillsides in Limoux offering cooler night time temperatures and the wine is aged in oak barrels resulting in beautifully complex rich wines good enough to rival a Meursault !
Rebecca Dancer
Tell us about yourself
I'm Rebecca Dancer, the Creative & Marketing Director and Co-Founder of Kinsbrook, founded 5 years ago.
As a woman in leadership, do you see yourself as a role model?
I have to be honest - I really don't think of myself as a role model! Building a team at Kinsbrook full of strong women has felt like one of the biggest achievements of my career and I know that Kinsbrook wouldn't be what it is today without their unique skills and experience. Being a leader is about knowing your strengths but also knowing your weaknesses and surrounding yourself with people who excel in areas you don't. I just try to lead with kindness and to create a supportive, fun, collaborative working environment so we can all make each other better.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You don't have to be perfect. There is so much pressure on us as women, both societally and through the goals we set ourselves, but truly the best work I do creatively is when I'm feeling relaxed, rested and inspired. It's ok to let go a bit and trust in your ability. It's also ok to be different; be the best version of yourself rather than an average version of someone else.
What is your favourite wine of the moment?
My favourite wine changes constantly depending on my mood. It's the Winter time, so I'm loving full-bodied, spicy, sexy Cabernet Francs from California, but we've also just released our first ever oaked Chardonnay 'Anything but Chardonnay' and I can't get enough of it. It's buttery and smooth with enough zippy acidity to stop it from being overly rich. I love a Chardonnay and our unoaked Chardonnay is also a personal favourite, but this one is next level!
America Brewer
Tell us about yourself
America Brewer, Owner, winemaker/vineyard manager of Oastbrook Estate Vineyard which was established in 2018 near Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. Oastbrook is located in the Rother Valley, the vineyard benefits from a unique microclimate and rich terroir.
As a woman in leadership, do you see yourself as a role model?
I believe I can be an inspiring figure for women seeking to start a career in a competitive, male-dominated industry. By changing and establishing a new business model, I aim to create opportunities and promote equality with determination, demonstrating vision and drive. I hope to serve as a role model for women pursuing change in their careers and following their passions, all the while focusing on a productive future
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You are the only one who can set limits for yourself. Seek guidance from those who inspire you to reach your desired place, and tune out distractions. Embrace learning in science and plant fundamentals of biology; it will pave the way for your future success.
What is your favourite wine of the moment
My favourite wine the Armagh which bursts with flavours and achieves a harmonious balance, crafted from healthy grapes. When you savour such wines, you connect deeply with the land of their origin. They narrate a story of their birthplace, offering an experience that transcends the simple act of drinking.
Helen Soudain
Tell us about yourself
Helen Soudain is the co-owner of The Secret Vineyard in Herstmonceux, running it with her sister Vicky since 2022.
As a woman in leadership, do you see yourself as a role model?
I think so, I think anyone leading a company/group/organisation should see themselves like that and should continuously self-reflect. I think its easy as a leader to become institutionalised and lose perspective, so my sister and I try to take time out to look at our situation from a distance. We have short-term and long-term goals and we try to separate those, so we don’t feel too overwhelmed.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be more organised and maybe a little less impulsive and a lot less late !
What is your favourite wine of the moment?
I am really enjoying bubbles with weekend brunches at the moment, I love our neighbours Henner’s Rosé NV with smoked salmon made by The Phised Fish.
Mardi Roberts
Tell us about yourself
I'm Mardi Roberts and have been a part of the Ridgeview family journey for the past 25 years. Originally beginning my career in Australia where I met my husband (Ridgeview's Head Winemaker). When I began at Ridgeview my role was very hands on in every aspect as we were so small. As we have grown my roles have varied from sales, marketing, PR, tourism and I now focus on Prestige Account Management and Brand Ambassadorial looking after the fantastic relationships, focusing on Sussex and London restaurants, venues and distributors. I also have various roles focused on tourism as Vice Chair of the Sussex LVEP, Sales and Marketing advisory board for Visit Britain, Sussex Winelands and Wines GB Tourism committee.
As a woman in leadership, do you see yourself as a role model?
Yes I see myself as a role model and love nothing better than to nurture and support the talented team who have joined us at Ridgeview. I also have been involved with taking on work experience students over the past few years. I like to encourage young people on their career journeys to explore the fantastic opportunities within the blossoming English Wine industry which alongside viticulture there are roles in hospitality, marketing, PR, sales, HR, accounting – the positions are endless in a very exciting and supportive industry.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Believe in yourself, trust your instincts, follow your dreams, try not to overthink and go with the flow. Take advantage of experienced mentors, keep your eyes open to learning and be brave to make the most of opportunities when they come your way.
What is your favourite wine of the moment?
Always a favourite of mine is a chilled glass of white wine. At the moment I am enjoying exploring Italian whites such as Pecorino or Vermentino after a wonderful visit to Italy last year and I also love Greek wines.
Alison Nightingale
Tell us about yourself
Alison Nightingale is the owner-manager of the Albourne Estate, since the vineyard was planted in 2020. Albourne is a family-owned vineyard and winery overlooking the beautiful South Downs, just 8 miles from Brighton in the heart of the Sussex countryside
As a woman in leadership, do you see yourself as a role model?
Seeing yourself as a role model can appear as quite egotistical, so I wouldn’t like to say this. However, as a woman, I recognise that we are clearly in the minority and I think this feeling is accentuated in wine as it can be quite an intimidating place, dominated by men, where it is easy to feel you don’t know or understand enough. I hope that as English wines become more commonly available and people experience visiting a local vineyard for themselves it will demystify and open up the world of wine to a much wider audience – especially of women!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be prepared to work very hard and adapt quickly. Don’t follow the crowd but do follow your instincts!
What is your favourite wine of the moment?
Obviously, I have to mention first one of our wines which would be our Estate Premier Cuvee 2017 sparkling wine. I am really proud of this wine – it is so complex and yet refined and shows that we are a serious winemaker.
If I’m choosing a red wine I always go to one of The Wine Society’s range as they have such great wines at reasonable prices. For an ‘everyday red’ I like their Sicilian Red….just the right balance for me of fruit, tannins and body!
Pip Goring
Pip came to West Sussex in 1972, having fallen in love with and married Harry Goring in her homeland of Franschhoek in South Africa. On returning to West Sussex, and Wiston Estate, Pip had a dream to plant vines like her Huguenot ancestors had done in the Cape. She knew that the area would be ideal for the sparkling wine grapes – and a vineyard would remind her of her beautiful home she had left behind. It took a few years for Harry to be convinced – but thanks to Pip’s perseverance and persistence, in 2006 vines were finally planted at Wiston, on the chalky South Downs slopes. Pip and Harry planted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (the traditional grapes of Champagne) and two years later they harvested their first ever vintage to make traditional champagne method sparkling wine at the Wiston Farm. Almost every year since grapes have been picked from the original vineyard, more vines have been planted, and the wines themselves have won countless international awards.
In 2021 Pip’s other dream was realised – to have somewhere on the estate where we could welcome guests and serve up the food and wine produced on the estate and from the surrounding farms and producers. Chalk opened then and since has welcomed many guests who have enjoyed the delicious Wiston wines, and produce from the estate, surrounding area and South Coast. Today the estate is run by Pip and Harry’s eldest son Richard and his wife Kirsty – but Pip can regularly be found in Chalk, walking in the vineyard and hosting our guests at the estate.
