Girl About Kent Wine Gardens of England
Girl About Kent
Wine Gardens of England
Girl About West Kent, Katy Mason, shines a light on some of the premium vineyards for wine lovers to visit in the Garden of England, as well as highlighting four of the best tour experiences in the area.
This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller.
Raise a toast to the wine gardens of England
Forget Tuscany or Champagne – if you’re looking to sip wine in the vines, Kent is the place to be. It’s an exciting time for English Wine – with new vineyards popping up yearly and a wealth of fine wines being produced, the South East of England is fast becoming one of the world’s most interesting wine regions.
Sharing similar soil, terrains and climate as many of the prime grape-growing spots in France, the Kent countryside is bursting with an abundance of sun-kissed vineyards for wine enthusiasts to enjoy. With so many to choose from, it may seem impossible to know where to start, so here’s my guide to some of the top luxury wineries in Kent and the best ways to explore them.
The Iconic Brand
Chapel Down
Perhaps the most well-known of Kent’s award-winning wineries, the only way to kick off an English wine pilgrimage has to be with a day at the iconic Chapel Down. Leaders and frontrunners in the production of English wine, Chapel Down has made a prolific name for itself as a luxury brand thanks to its partnerships with the English & Welsh Cricket Board and the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. Now, Chapel Down is the undisputed home of world-class till and sparkling English wines, paving the way for others over the past 20 years. Located near the picturesque market town of Tenterden, visit Chapel Down’s lush, sprawling vineyards for guided tours, tastings and experiences, before exploring its beautiful on-site herb garden and well-stocked shop.
To complete the ultimate gourmet day out, I highly recommend soaking up the spectacular views and wine at its fabulous two AA Rosette and Michelin Bib Gourmet restaurant the Swan, which offers two and three-course menus full of delicious local produce.
The Family Business
Balfour Winery
Another great producer of English sparkling wine in Kent, Balfour Winery on the Hush Heath Estate is famed for its award-winning wines, along with Jake’s beer and cider. A family run estate near Staplehurst, there is a strong focus on the preservation of wildlife, orchards and woodlands on the estate, along with its production of highly-acclaimed still and sparkling wines. Created by wine-loving estate owners Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn, their first vine was planted in 2002 when they turned their hand to winemaking with a view to producing a pink English sparkling wine to rival those from Champagne.
No less than five years later, the team’s Brut Rosé became the first English wine to win a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge, and they went on to provide the official English wine for the 2012 London Olympics. Balfour Winery runs guided tours all year round, as well as hosting Dining Clubs and Tasting Masterclasses. Its on-site restaurant, the View, certainly lives up to its name, offering spectacular panoramas and serving fresh, local and seasonal platters.
The Kent countryside shares similar soil, terrain and climate as many of the prime grape-growing spots in France
The Sparkling Gem
Gusbourne
Though the Gusbourne Estate dates back to 1410, it wasn’t until 2004 when South African orthopaedic surgeon Andrew Weeber saw potential in the land that it became a prime growing spot for English wine. Now, Gusbourne produces a wide range of still and sparkling wines that continue to win prestigious international awards every year. Just six miles from the South Coast in the pretty village of Appledore, Gusbourne’s vineyards are perfectly positioned and provide an idyllic escape from the everyday. They even credit the ‘distinctive salty tang’ of their wines to being so close to the sea.
Enjoy tours and tastings across its expansive hillside vineyards, and a seasonal meal at its picture-perfect tasting room, the Nest. It also hosts special events throughout the year, including theatre performances and pizza evenings.
How to get around the vineyards
Wine tours of Kent
Set up in 2019, Wine Tours Of Kent is all about exploring and discovering Kent’s finest wineries in a fun, relaxed and informative way. It offers exceptional full-day tours and mini breaks via minibus for private groups and individuals wanting to try some of Kent’s award-winning and up-and-coming wines.
Cycle the Vineyards
If you’re looking to make a weekend of it, Cycle The Vineyards offers two- and three-day cycling tours to allow time to soak up the Kent countryside and enjoy the extensive gourmet food and drink on offer.
Vine + Country Tours
Run by local expert wine guides Steph and Jamie, Vine + Country Tours offers full- and half-day tours which include vineyard visits, tutored tastings and its signature ‘vineyard feature lunch’.
UK Electric Bike Centre
For a more independent day out, cycle Kent’s award-winning vineyards on an electric bike. Start from Headcorn Aerodrome with either a full- or half-day hire to experience some of the wonderful country pubs and vineyards.
This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller.
by net effect