The Cellar at South Lodge Hotel

A visit to The Cellar offers a truly exceptional wine experience. Be guided by our sommeliers or go solo - try, taste, deliberate and taste again. Relax and browse. Choose a wine to accompany dinner in one of our restaurants or simply sit and enjoy a few different bottles with one of our sharing plates in The Cellar itself. 

Previously hidden from view, the original subterranean Victorian cellar has been fabulously restored, creating a unique and new space for guests to enjoy. Designed as an informal, versatile space, The Cellar offers individual guests and groups a very special spot to spend time and do something different.

A tasting experience

The Cellar features a large tasting table and each day a selection of 16 wines will be available ‘on demand’.  And, under the guidance of our sommelier the entire cellar containing some 300 wines, is open for you to try.  All wines are available by the glass and we have three sizes for you to choose from: just a taste, a small, or a large glass.

Guests are invited to purchase a ‘decanting card’ that enables the sophisticated Eno-Round® Wine Serving System to pour the required measure.  The state-of-the-art machine ensures wines are maintained in absolute peak condition and are served at the perfect temperature. 

Come and learn

Dominic Roberts, our Head Sommelier, has drawn on the breadth of knowledge from our suppliers, leading professionals including Chris Losh from Imbibe Magazine, as well as his own experience to ensure the wine selection is an ingenious balance of new and old world with complementing styles. Dominic has inherited many fine wines selected by his predecessors for laying down and has dutifully cared and stored them to retain their optimum quality. There is a special emphasis on Bordeaux with some highly desirable vintages and some individually distinctive and unusual wines also being featured. We are also proud to partner Nyetimber, an award-winning local Sussex grower.

Dominic holds regular tutored tasting sessions where he will be able to share new wines to the cellar and enter into some fun and lively debate about your likes and dislikes.

You can enter The Cellar from the hotel public rooms, stepping down the original stone staircase or from a newly created doorway from the al fresco terrace.

Guests are welcome to visit The Cellar between 11am and 10pm every day of the week.