Bordered by the coast and packed with rolling hills, stately homes, and verdant countryside, Kent isn't called The Garden of England for nothing. And with its fertile farmland, plentiful sunshine, and higher-than-average temperatures, the county is as productive as it is scenic.
The landscape around here is dotted with oast houses aplenty and Kent hops are known across the country, so you might be mistaken for thinking that when it comes to tipples, this is a county all about ale. But its gorgeous greenery and comparatively balmy temperatures are also brilliant for growing grapes, providing local pubs with plenty of lip-smacking refreshments to offer. With over 50 vineyards to explore, this south-eastern county is well on its way to becoming known as The Vineyard of England!
Once you've had your fill of English wine, there is plenty more to discover in this corner of the country. Swing by Canterbury for England's first Cathedral, walk along the iconic White Cliffs of Dover or lose yourself in modern art at Turner Contemporary in Margate. But first, let’s explore the county’s finest vineyards…
Chapel Down, Tenterden
Small Hythe Road, Tenterden TN30 7NG
A stone's throw from the pretty market town of Tenterden, you'll find Chapel Down. You may well know the name already as their wine is served across some of the country's finest restaurants as well as stocked in certain supermarkets. They are also the official supplier at the London Stock Exchange, Ascot, and the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.
Chapel Down is one of the UK's biggest wine producers with most of its vineyards found on the North Downs of Kent, with a terroir comparable to Champagne. The Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus vines are grown on south-facing chalk soils, encouraged by a warmer climate.
Sample them for yourself by booking a guided tour and tasting where you'll learn about the vineyard cycle, the English grape harvest, and how sparkling wine is traditionally made. Or book the cheese and wine experience for a tutored wine tasting paired with local cheese and artisanal crackers. Alternatively, book a table at the onsite restaurant, The Swan, a Michelin Guide Restaurant with 2 Rosettes serving up seasonal fare.
Looking for your new favourite summer tipple? Order a bottle of their English Sparkling Rosé, which has just been named 'Best in Show' at this year’s Decanter World Wine awards.
Balfour Winery, Tonbridge
Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, Tonbridge TN12 0HT
Balfour's Hush Heath Estate has been in the same family for three generations, but it wasn't until Leslie and Richard bought the 400-acre farmland attached that the idea for a winery began.
The original idea was Leslie’s: they would plant vines to make a pink sparkling wine like Billecart Salmon Rosé, their favourite pink Champagne. They started with five acres, with the admirable motto ‘if we can't sell it, we'll drink it’!
When Balfour Brut Rosé was launched in 2004, it became the first English wine to win a gold medal and the Trophy at the International Wine Challenge, and, with that, Balfour Winery was on the map. From there it became the first English Sparkling wine served on British Airways First Class and was chosen as the only English wine served at the London 2012 Olympics, earning the title of ‘England’s most exclusive pink fizz’.
Since then, the winery has continued to grow with a state-of-the-art winery and tasting room on Hush Heath Estate opening in 2010 before expanding to triple the capacity in 2018. Today, there's a popular restaurant, a packed calendar of events, and summer weddings.
Experience Balfour for yourself, with a tour and tasting, which begins with a walk through the vineyards, orchards, and ancient oak woodlands where you'll learn how they work with nature to produce their award-winning wines. Then learn about the winemaking process as you visit the winery and finish with a tutored tasting of six Balfour wines. You can skip the tour and book on to a Wine Tasting Masterclass or book a table at The Winemakers' Kitchen for something delicious with your glass of fizz.
Westwell, Charing
The Vyneyarde, Westwell Lane, Charing TN27 0BW
Just below the Pilgrims Way on the North Downs, Westwell is a relatively new addition to the Kent vineyard scene having opened to the public in 2021, after 10+ years spent cultivating their vines. The philosophy here is simple but profound: plant well, respect the soil and make great, honest wines from brilliant fruit.
There are six classified soil geologies on site, and the team have selected varieties with those in mind. Chardonnay in the shallower, chalkier soils that benefit from the evening sun, Pinots in the mixed sand and chalk soil, and Ortega in the sandiest, sheltered spot to protect its fruit-forward, aromatic style.
The focus here is on sustainability and innovation. They run a minimal intervention approach in the winery, which you'll learn more about on a tour. And things are never boring - Westwell was the first English vineyard to produce amphora-aged wine and the first to successfully keg wine. They are always running experiments, from making Piquette from waste grape pressings to producing less traditional styles like skin contact wines.
Learn more about the new kid on the block with a tour and tasting. The tour will last around two hours and involves the opportunity to buy wine from the cellar door, which isn’t available anywhere else. Westwell also runs plenty of events, including Friday night pizzas in the summer (featuring slow-proved dough cooked outside in the vineyard), produce markets, and open-air theatre.
Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Ashford TN27 8DF
Known as Kent's original vineyard, Biddenden has been in the Barnes family since 1969. The site was originally home to a 40-acre apple orchard, but after apple prices started to decline in the 60s, they decided to rethink. Upon hearing about English vineyards on BBC's Woman's Hour, Joyce Barnes was inspired to give it a go.
It started with a third of an acre of vines in 1969, and to say things have grown would be somewhat of an understatement. Today, the single estate vineyard spans 23 acres of sheltered, south-facing slopes that produce twelve different varieties of grape. While the vineyard has grown, some things remain the same and all vine work at the estate is still carried out by hand - including pruning, canopy management, and picking.
The vineyard is currently run by second and third-generation Barnes', who you can meet for yourself on a Meet the Winemakers tour, during which you’ll get to look around the vines, learn about the different varieties, and conduct a tasting in the vineyard shop.
Alternatively, go on a self-guided tour (May - September), which includes a tasting flight of three wines. Afterwards, head to the onsite shop and stock up on their award-winning wines, ciders, and juices as well as a tempting array of local artisanal treats, from cheese to condiments.
Gusbourne, Appledore
Gusbourne Estate, Kenardington Road, Appledore, Ashford TN26 2BE
Not too far from the medieval coastal town of Rye is Gusbourne, a winery that started in 2004 with a simple but gutsy vision: to create the finest wines in the world. The business has expanded astronomically since its inception and today boasts 60 hectares in Appledore in Kent and another 30 next to the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. Gusbourne grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, opting for mostly Burgundian clones for the intense flavour that flourishes in this climate.
While the business is big, the approach is hands-off with a low-intervention approach to vineyard management from day one. Biodiversity is encouraged through complementary planting and sustainable practices like using natural organic fertilisers like seaweed. Gusbourne is a founding member of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain, an impressive accolade with only 14 vineyards or wineries certified out of over 600 in the country.
So, if sustainable wine is your area of interest, book a tour or tasting. You can choose from still or sparkling or even a limited-edition wine tasting. There are various other experiences too, from a picnic for two in the beautiful vineyards, an estate tour, or a 'Gusbourne Icons' experience, where you'll enjoy the rarest wines in the cellar complete with a four-course lunch.
Simpsons Wine Estate, Canterbury
The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury CT4 6PB
Originally producing award-winning wines in Domaine de Sainte Rose in the South of France, the husband-and-wife team behind Simpsons decided to bring their expertise and savoir-faire back to the chalk slopes of southern England for a brand-new adventure.
Attracted by the quality of the terroir and the excitement of becoming part of one of the most interesting and dynamic wine-producing regions in the world, they plumped for an unspoilt parcel of land in the Elham Valley where the land, climate, and soil is perfect for viticulture.
Today, they have 30 hectares of vineyard in production, along with a winery just a few moments from their vines, with the estate-grown still and sparkling wines renowned across the UK and beyond.
You can explore more by booking a tour of the vineyard and enjoying a tasting in the Glass House Tasting Room or squeeze the most out of your summer trip to Kent and book a Sunset Session, where you'll start the evening with a walk to the idyllic Roman Road Vineyard to learn about the vines as you sip on a glass of sparkling wine. Then it's on to the winery, where you'll be guided through the classic winemaking process before tasting a range of current-release wines and locally sourced cheese and charcuterie in the dedicated tasting room.
The Mount, Shoreham
Church Street, Shoreham, Sevenoaks TN14 7SD
You'll find the Mount Vineyard nestled in the pretty village of Shoreham. The first vines were planted here in 2004 and today feature Pinot Noir, Rondo, Regent, Bacchus, Seyval Blanc, Phoenix, Siegerrebe and Chardonnay.
While they have been growing vines in the unique micro-climate in the Darnet Valley since 2004, The Mount first opened its doors to guests in 2016. Since then, it's gone from strength to strength and is a popular spot for tours and tastings, as well as everything from weddings and yoga classes to film locations and team-building days. The Courtyard Restaurant is also great for tucking into a stone-baked pizza or a delicious sharing platter.
As well as wine tastings featuring their own bottles, there is the option to indulge in an international tasting experience, which compliments the current Mount Vineyard offering. The cheese pairings are special too, look out for small batch cheeses like Blacksticks Blue, Oxford Isis, and Barber’s Cheddar.
If you prefer something a little different, pop into the onsite Coffee Box for a hot drink and a slice of something homemade. Before you leave, swing by the Ten Acres Shop to stock up on Mount Vineyard wines, local spirits, and artisanal nibbles and gifts.
If exploring Kentish wineries sounds like a dream way to while away your next holiday, explore our range of holiday cottages in Kent and start planning your next trip now.
