FOOD + DRINK
SIMPSONS
Some of the youngest vineyards continue to take Kent by storm and one in particular is Penn Oast Vineyard( pennoastvineyard. co. uk). Nestled in the quiet village of Hollingbourne, Gavin and Julia Davis began laying their roots in 2022, transforming the land from a once thriving hop farm into an eight-acre vineyard. Nurtured by nature, the vineyard is interlaced with wildlife; on your visit, you may see a wild hare grazing between the rows or a buzzard soaring high above.
This year, Penn Oast Vineyard has won not just one but three silver medals at the Independent English Wine Awards 2026 for their Bacchus 2025, Classic Cuvée 2024 and Hare’ s Embrace Rosé 2025, setting a new standard for the next generation of vineyards.
“ This summer we have seen huge growth in our vineyard open days and it’ s been wonderful to welcome so many people for a visit. Work will continue among the vines over the autumn months, although sadly we will not harvest this year due to frost damage in May. We will continue to attend local farmers’ markets though and are very excited to be returning to Broadstairs Food Festival in October where we’ ll be showcasing our award-winning wines.”
JULIA DAVIS, PENN OAST VINEYARD
Celebrating all things harvest, you’ ll receive a tasting card offering complimentary samples of three of the vineyard’ s still and sparkling wines alongside live music and a selection of food. Feast on wood-fired pizza and fresh oysters from The Oyster Buoys, perfectly paired with a glass of Wildshark’ s Supernova Brut, whose crisp, vibrant character and mineral undertones make an ideal match for the salty freshness of the shellfish.
Did you know?
Wildshark Vineyard is aptly named for paying homage to the sea creatures that once swam through the North Downs during the cretaceous period when the landscape was once a thriving seabed.
Delivering excellent promise this year is Wildshark Vineyard( wildsharkvineyard. co. uk), another thriving addition to Kent’ s viticulture scene that was founded in 2024. The vineyard will celebrate its annual harvest with the Wildshark Harvest Festival(£ 49.50pp), taking place on Saturday 26 September.
GUSBOURNE
108 • www. insidekent. co. uk