‘Few of the best stories start with salad’, but Tinwood came as a result of second generation farmer Art Tukker turning his family lettuce farm into a thriving vineyard, and we couldn’t be more pleased he did. With 110 acres of vineyard, a contemporary dining space, and even a couple of resident dogs, it ticks all the boxes of a great day out.
Tinwood has ditched the traditional restaurant concept for a canteen, where trays are swapped for wooden boxes, and the daily changing selection offers everything from fresh focaccia to slow cooked meats.
Anywhere that requires you to collect your own food, usually brings to mind something lacklustre and uninspiring, but Tinwood has broken the mould by offering high end small plates that deliver on flavour and price point.
From the hot section we take some glazed pork that hits the perfect balance between sweet and savoury, and is doused in a sticky sauce to ensure each mouthful is packed with flavour. Alongside this, a chorizo scotch egg comes as a well seasoned, and delicately spiced take on the British classic, with a characteristically fudgy yolk and golden crumb.
On the side we chose some salads including a refreshing greek salad, and a vegetable couscous, but it was the fresh focaccia that stole the show. Marbled with pesto and topped with a healthy dose of parmesan, it’s further proof that something as simple as bread can still be the highlight of any meal.
Of course no trip here is complete without a glass of wine, and naturally you’ll only find a selection of Tinwood bottles available. We don’t have a bad word to say about any of them, but it was the rose that took the title as our favourite of the day.
Whether you’re sat outside in the sun, or indulging indoors in the depths of winter, Tinwood makes for a great escape in the West Sussex countryside, and is a welcomed addition to the English wine industry.