FOOD + DRINK
EXPLORING THE VERY BEST OF LOCAL WINE WITH
WINE TOURS OF KENT
KENT ’ S VINEYARDS
WITH OVER 50 VINEYARDS TAKING UP ACRES OF KENT ’ S LUSCIOUS COUNTRYSIDE , IT ’ S NO SURPRISE THAT KENT IS NOW HERALDED AS THE WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND . PROVIDING GLORIOUS BACKDROPS FOR WINE TASTING AND TOURS , THESE VINEYARDS ENTICE WINE CONNOISSEURS FROM AROUND THE WORLD . SPOILT FOR CHOICE , THE LURE OF EACH UNIQUE VINEYARD AND THEIR STORY BEGS TO BE VISITED AND HEARD - BUT HOW BEST CAN WE DO THAT WITH SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM ? ENTER THE EXPERTS , WINE TOURS OF KENT . BY OLIVIA RICCINI
Brainchild of Abi Ireland , Wine Tours of Kent was ultimately born out of a love of good wine and appreciation for the diversity of wineries and vineyards in the county . I meet Abi on a cold early spring day , but the weather has not dampened her spirit which emits cheer through a smile set to warm our souls before we embark on our journey of Kentish vineyard discovery . With five of the insideKENT team in tow , we pile into the spotless eight-seater which acts as the portal to take visitors from vineyard to vineyard , through famous Kent wine country . Wine Tours of Kent will even pick you up and drop you back home ( or at the train station ) so you can sip wine carefree throughout the day , without the worry of driving .
The first question I put to Abi is what the catalyst was for starting Wine Tours of Kent . It seems such a necessary and much-needed venture that it intrigues me as to how she had the insight to seize the opportunity and form her business . “ I ’ d just got back from Australia ,” she tells us . “ It was there I really discovered my intrigue in the process of making wine and my love of the vineyards themselves . I spent most of my 20s touring them and when I came back to Kent , I wanted to do the same . But when I looked for a tour , I couldn ’ t find any , so I had to visit them with a designated driver - my other half ,” she laughs . “ I realised there was a huge gap in the market for people wanting to visit the wineries and sample all of the wines without having the hassle of finding transport , so here I am .”
Abi drives with a reassuring confidence through Kent ’ s country roads . We wind round beautiful villages decorated with gorgeous buildings , houses and architecture at every turn , interspersed with meadow scenes , wildlife and rolling countryside . West Kent ’ s picturesque beauty can be truly appreciated when someone else is driving and knows exactly where they are going .
The first stop on our tour is the boutique winery and vineyard Herbert Hall ( www . herberthall . co . uk ). Abi pulls up outside a big rustic barn that sits next to the grape vines themselves . We are met by Kirsty Smith who works with fourth-generation winemaker and owner Nicholas Hall to produce handmade English sparkling wines , vintage by vintage , from the small family-owned estate . Kirsty is a true tonic with which to start our day , her passion and knowledge simply radiates from her as she gives an animated , expert yet entirely comprehensive talk about the process of winemaking - from grape to bottle . The barn in which we are sat houses equipment to make the wine , and before pouring us each a glass of Herbert Hall ’ s delectable sparkling white , Kirtsty points out the role of each piece as we nod along . I am mesmerised by Kirsty ’ s passion for her art , which makes every sip as I move on to the brut rosé even more appreciated and taste that little bit better .
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