ELISHA RAI , CO-FOUNDER OF FOLC
© Visit Kent
England ’ s highest ranking still rosé also comes from Kent . Having launched last year , folc impressed wine critics and accrued numerous awards both nationally and on an international scale . This month , Harper ’ s Wine Stars awarded folc three awards in their 2022 result announcement including a fourstar medal , the ‘ Star Design ’ and the coveted ‘ Star of Kent ’ award .
folc ’ s 2021 vintage is a unique blend of six different grape varieties , all sourced from familyrun vineyards in Kent and neighbouring counties . Once harvested , the grapes make a short trip to Canterbury where they meet folc ’ s talented winemakers with a combined 60 years of winemaking experience . Behind the brand are remarkable founders , couple Elisha Rai and Tom Cannon who have always had a passion for wine and in particular the amazing quality of wine that is produced on English soil .
HUSH HEATH VINEYARD
With Elisha as one of the very few female BAME co-founded UK wine producers , folc recognises that the wine industry has some way to go when it comes to diversity . The team looks to demystify wine and truly represent and speak the same language as their customers . After championing English rosé for four years , folc has recognised and brings issues such as sustainability and inclusion to the fore to match the product ’ s unrivalled quality . Their winery is accredited with the WineGB Sustainability Scheme , reducing the environmental impact of wine packaging and levels of greenhouse gas emission as well as the volume of water used and the carbon footprint per bottle .
With Kent playing such a prestigious role within the English wine industry , English Wine Week 2022 will be an important occasion for the county . A campaign put in place by WineGB ( www . winegb . co . uk ), this year it is set to be a glorious midsummer event taking place from 18th to the 26th June . At its core , English Wine Week aims to provide an opportunity to help vineyards and wineries sell wine , and inspire more people to get to know the country ’ s wonderful English wines better by encouraging them to buy from local vineyards . Marking the the start of summer with Summer Solstice on 21st June and Midsummer Day on 24th June , English Wine Week is set to be the perfect timing to enjoy vineyards in all their glory , and bathe in summer sun with flowering likely to have started - the advent of fruit growing and promising prospects of the summer ahead .
MEREWORTH VINEYARD
During English Wine Week , vineyards across Kent will get involved in the celebration and share the knowledge behind English wine . It will be the ultimate chance for vineyards , retail outlets and influencers across the country to celebrate and promote English wines together and will therefore be a wonderful opportunity for wine connoisseurs or those simply with an appreciation of a beautiful vineyard and homegrown produce , to come together and celebrate one of Kent ’ s crowning glories - the title of Wine Garden of England .
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