Kent is prime English wine country. Our wines rival any produced across the land. Sparkling wines are the great success story of recent times, with growing conditions and similar soils to Champagne helping our vineyards to consistently produce award-winning vintages.

Vineyards also make a fabulous family day out with tours, tastings and shopping all available...

Biddenden Vineyards

Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, has been run by the Barnes family since 1969. The vineyards are in 23 acres on a gentle south facing slope in a shallow sheltered valley, just a mile or so from the lovely Wealden village of Biddenden. Eleven varieties of grapes are grown to produce white, red, rosé and quality sparkling wines. Kentish ciders have also been made here for over 30 years together with farm pressed apple and pear juices. Visitors are welcome throughout the year and the coffee shop is also open daily. There’s a marked walk around the vineyard.

More at www.biddendenvineyards.com

Chapel Down

The vineyard near Tenterden produces a world-class range of sparkling and still wines, together with the award-winning range of Curious beers and cider. The sparkling wines are created using the same traditional method as across the Channel in Champagne. Chapel Down supplies the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and the Royal Opera House. In 22 acres of vineyards, the winery has excellent facilities for visitors including a restaurant and shop. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, including the herb garden and vineyard walks. Chapel Down winery is open all year round from 10am to 5pm with guided tours available from April until November.

More at www.chapeldown.com

Harbourne Vineyard

This small, family-owned vineyard at Wittersham, near Tenterden, punches well above its weight with the quality of wines it produces. The shop is open most afternoons but closed in the winter. All Harbourne’s wines are grown, made and bottled on site – well worth checking out is the 2015 Harbourne Sunset Pink Medium.

More at www.harbournevineyard.co.uk

Hush Heath Estate

Home of award-winning Balfour Brut Rosé, England’s most exclusive pink fizz. Hidden away at Staplehurst, near Maidstone, the 400-acre estate also produces sparkling, still wines and a range of ciders. Visitors can stroll through the majestic vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands. Tastings and self-guided walks are available without charge for advance bookings. You can also learn about the viticultural aspects of grape growing followed by a visit to the state-of- the-art winery where the sparkling wine process is explained.

More at www.hushheath.com

OTHER KENT VINEYARDS

Barnsole Vineyard at Staple - www.barnsole.co.uk

Gusbourne Estate at Appledore - www.gusbourne.com

Kent Vineyard at Goudhurst - www.kentvineyard.co.uk

Mount Vineyard at Shoreham, Sevenoaks - www.themountvineyard.co.uk

Terlingham Vineyard near Folkestone - www.terlinghamvineyard.co.uk

Woodchurch Wine Estate - www.woodchurchwine.co.uk

Also worth checking out is the Tenterden Valley Vineyard Trail. More details at www.tenterdentown.co.uk