YOTES COURT VINEYARD :
A TOUR TO INSPIRE
AT ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD , YOTES COURT , IS A NEWCOMER TO THE WORLD OF ENGLISH WINEMAKING AND ALSO A NEW ENTRANT TO THE WINES OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARDS . HOWEVER , THIS DID NOT PREVENT THIS KENTISH PRODIGY FROM PROUDLY EARNING FOUR WELL-DESERVED MEDALS IN THIS YEAR ’ S COMPETITION . BUT BEFORE WE REVEAL THE NAMES OF THESE WINES THAT ARE SURE TO BE ADDED TO YOUR LIST OF FAVOURITES , WE MUST GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND TO YOTES COURT ITSELF AND HOW IT CAME TO BE THE POCKET OF PARADISE THAT MAKES THEIR AWARD-WINNING TIPPLES SO SPECIAL .
Picture a late afternoon in July , with vivid blue skies full of fluffy cotton clouds that seem so low you could reach out and touch them from the hill on which you stand . Set against this sky fit for a Michelangelo masterpiece , are the rolling patchwork fields of the valley below that could be paintings themselves . Look more closely and you will see in front of you the iconic rows of glowing green vines that sweep in neat lines over the landscape and know that each one has been planted with precision , passion and dedication by the team at Yotes Court . Yes , this heavenly scene is one which can be found in Mereworth near Maidstone , and you too can visit it to stare out across this valley in awe – and of course taste the wine that has been created here .
Whilst taking in the views of this magnificent estate , I am greeted with a cheery introduction from Tony Purdie , vineyard manager at Yotes Court , who with over 20 years ’ experience in both his home-country of New Zealand and the UK is the perfect fit for the role . It is strikingly clear just how passionate Tony is about his job and growing vines . When he speaks to us on our tour of the vineyard , it is not only his in-depth knowledge of soils , slopes , drainage , weeds , pests , and other conditions needed to manage to obtain the perfect grape , or his intelligent use of science and technology to inform his decisions , but the zealous and admirable manner in which he tells us . ‘ I wouldn ’ t be here without Tony ’ s knowledge , passion and drive ’ says vineyard owner Susannah Ricci , who , together with Tony , makes up the unstoppable duo that have led Yotes Court into its first stages of true success .
Susannah tells us she feeds off other people ’ s enthusiasm for wine and winemaking , ‘ I learn from Tony and am challenged every day . I love the gradual discovery of the different components that go into making Kentish wine , it is a knowledge that I am continuing to develop constantly .’ It is the rise of New World Wines and scientific studies from viticulturalists that have made English wines like Yotes Court more popular and with some clever marketing that showcases uniqueness and personalisation , Yotes Court have joined the big English players with their bottles flying off the shelves .
Well known as a major supporter of National Hunt Racing in England and Ireland , Susannah has honoured her racing background by selecting ingenious names for the Yotes Court wines . Winning a gold medal in the Wines of Great Britain Awards was the 2020 Best Turned Out ( which proved a massive hit on Ladies Day at Royal Ascot ), claiming two silver medals were the 2020 Hands and Heels along with the 2020 On the Nod , and securing a bronze was the 2020 On the Bridle . The beady eyed among us will also notice another personal gesture to Susannah ’ s hobby in the clever branding , with the ‘ Y ’ of the ‘ Yotes ’ illustrated as an upsidedown stirrup .
It is Susannah ’ s vision for wine tasting and vineyard touring at Yotes Court to become an accessible , relaxed and non-intimidating or overwhelming experience for people to enjoy . Whether you are a wine buff or not , at £ 9.50 per person per tasting and a further 10 % off the wine , anyone is welcome to enjoy the plush surroundings of the airy tasting room with it ’ s panoramic views , or on fair days sit outside next to the striking horse sculpture painted in Susannah ’ s bright racing colours of pink and green .
It does not stop here for Yotes Court either . Food is now available with Saturday wine tastings and Susannah tells us that in 2022 a Fizz and Red will also be added to the Yotes Court portfolio . Susannah and Yotes Court have come a long way from where they began , initially at a loss as to what to do with the 100 acres , Susannah has never looked back since her decision to replace the acres of fruit trees and plant vines . Placing sustainability at the forefront of the business and becoming one of the first in the country to achieve formal accreditation as a Sustainable Producer , it is clear that Susannah and Tony ’ s forward-thinking vision will continue to aid Yotes Court in many more future triumphs within the English winemaking world .
Yotes Court Vineyard Stan Lane West Peckham Maidstone ME18 5JT www . yotescourt . co . uk
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